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V.I
History of the county palatine and ducliv
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THE HISTORY OF THE COUNTY PALATINE AND
DUCHY OF LANCASTER.
THE HISTOEY
COUNTY PALATINE AND DUCHY
OK
IvANCASTER.
BY THE LATE EDWAED BAINES, ESQ.
The BIOGRAPHICAL DEPABTMEJfT bij the Late W. B. WEATTOJY, F.B.S., F.8.A.; with
the Additions of the late JOHM EABLAJfD, F.S.A., and the Eev. BROOKE HEBFORD.
H IRew, IReviseb, anD Enlargeb B&ition,
With the Family Pedigrees (Omitted in the Second Edition) Corrected Throughout.
EDITED BY
JAMES CROSTON, F.S.A.
Vice-President of the Record Society.
Author of " Historic Sites of Lancashire and Cheshire," " County Families of Lancashire and Cheshire,"
"A History of the Ancient Hall of Samleshury,'' <&c., c&c.
VOLUME I.
JOHN HEYWOOD,
Deansgatb and Eidgefield, Manchester;
and 11, Paternoster Buildings,
London.
1888.
£ V,
~^_,>xt^
INTRODUCTOEY NOTICE TO VOLUME I
A.LF a century has elapsed since Baines's History of Lancashire was first issued
to the public. Its appearance was hailed with general satisfaction as the first
attempt to give anything like a complete History of the Palatinate, and it has
ever since been recognised as the standard topographical work on the county.
In the coflection and arrangement of his materials, Mr. Baines devoted many
years of patient industry and scholarly research, but his production was
unfortunately, disfigured tiy rqany* inaccuracies — the result of the confusing, and oftentimes
contradictory, evidences of mediasval times, and the occasional acceptance, without verification, of
the abstracts of other labourers in the field of antiquarian research ; but, in spite of these defects,
and the huge gaps it was known to present, the original edition became exceedingly scarce, and
chance copies that foimd their way into the market commanded correspondingly high prices.
The rarity of the work, and the frequent inquiries for it, induced the late Mr. John Harland,
about twenty years ago, to undertake the preparation of a new and revised edition, pruning out
what was redundant and obsolete, and bringing down the chief events in the history of important
parishes and towns to his own time. More correct versions, in English, were given of the Domesday
Survey, of the grants and charters to the various boroughs and towns, and of the abbreviated Latin
documents contained in Mr. Baines's work. Btt it was always considered a defect in this edition
that the family pedigrees, which formed such an important feature in the original work, were
omitted, and it has been the regret of every antiquary that Mr. Harland had not the time at his
disposal to correct the many inaccuracies they undoubtedly contained, and present them to his
readers in a correct and trustworthy form. Mr. Harland's death occurred just as the first volume
was completed, and his literary executor, the Kev. Brooke Herford, at the request of the publishers,
took up and completed with praiseworthy care the task that had fallen from his hand.
It will be obvious that a county history, and especially the history of such a county as
Lancashire, could not be written fifty years ago in so complete a form as to satisfy the requirements
of the student of the present day. In the period that has intervened an enormous mass of
materials, which were either unknown or inaccessible when Mr. Baines wrote, have come to light.
The publications of the Chetham and Record Societies, and the Transactions of the Historic Society
of Lancashire and Cheshire, furnish information of the greatest possible value. The great series of
calendars and state papers published under the authority of the Master of the Rolls, the ancient
muniments of the Duchy of Lancaster given by the Queen to the nation in 1868, and the Records
of the County Palatine transferred to the Public Record Office, London, in 1873, have thrown a
flood of light on the historical and antiquarian matters connected with the Palatinate and Duchy,
or indicated the sources whence original information of the greatest consequence might be obtained.
These several sources have been freely laid under contribution, and, in addition, the text has been
carefully revised, in some cases amplified, and every known inaccuracy set right. The return
presented to Parliament by order of the House of Commons in 1879, giving the names of members
of the lower house "from so remote a period as it can be obtained," has enabled the Editor to
vi INTKODUCTORY NOTICE.
supply many omissions, and to give a more accurate and complete list of the representatives of the
county than has hitherto appeared. The rearrangement of ecclesiastical districts consequent
upon the creation of the new See of Liverpool, and the changes effected in the Parliamentary
divisions of the county and in the representation of the boroughs under the provisions of the
Reform Acts of 1884 and 1885, as well as the alterations in the old and the creation of new Courts
of Law, have been duly noted ; and, in addition, a record is given of the various civil changes that
have occurred, with such other matters as go to make up the general history of the county since
the last edition was given to the world.
A notable feature in the present edition, and one that will be more apparent when the
hundreds and parishes come under review, is the reintroduction of the Family Pedigrees, to the
careful revision of which special attention has been devoted, every pains having beentaken to secure
accuracy by excluding all matter of a doubtful or spurious character, or that cannot be proved by
trustworthy evidence.
In the general arrangement of the work, the lines laid down by Mr. Baines have, as far as
practicable, been adhered to, their elasticity enabling the Editor not only to bring down the
record to the present time, but, where it was thought desirable or necessary, to add to the
original text as a substantive part of the continuous narrative, such interesting facts as had
escaped his notice, or, as is more probable, were unknown at the time he wrote, and also to bridge
over the many chasms by the interpolation of such authentic evidence as more recent research has
opened up. The Editor's first duty has, of course, been to verify the statements embodied in the
two preceding editions, and to correct such errors, whether of fact or of inference, as came within
his view. "With the exception of the earlier chapters embracing the Roman and Saxon periods
and the earlier ecclesiastical history, which have been in great part re-written, the text of the
original work has been maintained in every essential feature, though variations and interpolations
have been occasionally made where it was thought there might be a gain in lucidity without
injustice being done to the Author. It may be urged that such corrections and additions should
have been distinguished by brackets or otherwise from the original matter. Such a course,
were it practicable, might have been a convenience to the specialist; but a very slight acquaintance
with the former editions would show the extreme difficulty, not to say impossibility, Mr. Harland
and Mr. Herford, in the process of condensation, and in the additions and corrections they made,
having so frequently departed from the ipsissima verba of Mr. Baines, without such distino-uishmo-
marks, that the text of each could only have been indicated in patchwork pages, that would have
been perplexing to the general reader.
Altogether the First Volume has received an accession of over one hundred pao-es, or more
than one-third of new matter. Every care has been taken to secure accuracy of detail, and to
make the History of Lancashire more interesting and trustworthy ; at the same time the Editor
is fully conscious of many shortcomings and imperfections, and of omissions that are, perhaps, not
altogether inseparable from a work of such magnitude and so wide-reaching in its scope as that he
has undertaken. Where such have occurred, he will be grateful if they are pointed out to him in
order that the corrections or additions may be made in the succeedino- volume.
The pleasing duty remains to the Editor of tendering his thanks for the many offers of
assistance he has received in the course of his work, and for information which has greatly
enhanced its value. To the Rev. Henry Parr, Vicar of Yoxford, Suffolk, he is indebted for many
additional notes and corrections in the earlier lists of Sheriffs of the County ; and he is under
obligations of no less weight to Robert Gradwell, Esq., of Claughton-on-Brock, for communications
relating to the Celtic period of Lancashire history; his thanks are also due to J. Brouo-hton
INTRODUCTORY NOTICE. vlt
Edge, Esq., one of Her Majesty's Coroners for the County of Lancaster, for many valuable notes
concerning the Courts of the County Palatine and the changes effected by the Judicature Act of
1873. To Henry Alison, Esq., County Treasurer, and Frederic Campbell Hulton, Esq., Clerk of
the Peace, he is indebted for many of the statistical tables in relation to the valuation, assessment,
and rating, and also for the corrected list of Magistrates and Public Officers of the County. He
desires also to acknowledge his obligations to Mrs. Arthur Tempest, of Coleby Hall, Lincoln ;
Mrs. Fentbn Knowles, of Arncliffe, Cheetham Hill, Manchester; Miss Emma C. Abraham, of
Grassendale Park, Liverpool ; the Rev. W. Stuart White, of Leyland ; Lieut.-Colonel Sowler, of
Manchester; Colonel H. Holden, of Askham Bryam, York; John Paul Rylands, Esq., F.S.A., of
Heather Lea, Claughton, Birkenhead ; Thomas Helsby, Esq., of Lincolns Inn, the learned Editor
of Ormerod's History of Cheshire ; W. Thompson Watkin, Esq. , of Liverpool, the Author of
Roman Lancashire and Roman Cheshire; W. A. Abram, Esq., of Blackburn, the Author of the
History of Blackburn; W. Buncombe Pinl?, Esq., F.R.H.S., of Leigh; W. Hewitson, Esq.,
Manchester; Frederick Openshaw, Esq., Hothersall Hall, Ribchester ; Joseph MaghuU Yates,
Esq., of Manchester; R. S. Crossley, Esq., Accrington; George Porter, Esq., Fern Bank,
Blackburn ; and Charles E. Bowker, Esq., Fletcher Gate, Nottingham. He would be as
ungracious as culpable were he to fail in acknowledging the ready assistance extended to him
by the officials of the Record Office, London, and also the courteous assistance and the
suggestions he has received on many occasions from Chas. W. Sutton, Esq., Chief Librarian, Free
Public Libraries, Manchester, and from Mr. W. R. Credland and Mr. Lawrence Dillon, the
Librarian and Sub-Librarian of the Reference Library.
Upton Hall, Prestbury, Cheshire, November, 1887.
CONTENTS OF VOLUME I.
CHAPTER I.
t:i 1- PAGE
Earliest Notices of Lancashire— The Roman Conquest and Rule iu Britain.— B.c. 55 to a.d. 4i8 1
CHAPTER II.
The Saxon Period— Invasions, Conquests, and Short Rule of the Danes— Termination of the Saxon and Danish Dynasties of
England- The Norman Conquest.— a.d. 448 to 1066 12
CHAPTER III.
WilUam the Conqueror's Suppression of Revolts in the North— His Extension of the Feudal System and Seizure of Church
Lands and Property— The Domesday Survey and Book— The Honor of Lancaster— Its First Norman Baron, Roger de
Poictou— Its Grant by the Crown to Randle, third Earl of Chester.— A.D. 1066 to ctj-ca 1120 34
CHAPTER IV.
Territory of South Laneashii-e (between Ribble and Mersey) successively the Possession of the Earls of Chester, of the Ferrers,
Earls of Derby, and of Edmund Crouchback, first Earl of Lancaster — His son Thomas, second Earl, executed, whose
brother Henry, third Earl, was succeeded by his son Henry, fourth Earl, created first Duke of Lancaster, and called
"The Good Duke" — John of Gaunt, second Duke — Creation of the Duchy and its Privileges — The County Palatine,
its Chancery Court, &c.— a.d. 1128 to 1399 47
CHAPTER V.
Character of Henry Plantagenet, Earl of Derby and Duke of Hereford — His Quarrel witli the Duke of Norfolk, and
Banishment — Elevated to the Dignity of Duke of Lancaster on the Death of his Father, John of Gaunt — Returns to
England — Expels Richard II. from the Throne — Elevation of the Noble House of Lancaster to the Royal Dignity — ■
Possessions of the Duchy of Lancaster separated from the Crown Possessions — Establishment of the Duchy Court —
Abolition of the Duchy Court of Star Chamber — History of the Duchy continued — Its Courts, Chancellors, OSicers,
&c. — Bucatus Lancastricc, from the Harleian MSS. — a.d. 1380 to 1886 64
CHAPTER VI.
Creation of the County Palatine — Sheriffs from the Earliest Records— Courts of the County Palatine — Ecclesiastical and
other Courts — Assizes — Public Records of the County Palatine. — a.d. 1087 to 1886 82
CHAPTER VII.
The Earldom of Lanoa,ster possessed by King John — Privileges to the Honor of Lancaster in Magna Charta — Forest Laws
and Assize of the Forest at Lancaster — Grant of Land between Mersey and Ribble — Large Drains on Lancashire for
Men and Money for the Wars — Wars of the Barons — Edward II. the Prisoner of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster — Analysis
of Landed Possessions in the County, from Testa de NevUl. — a.d. 1164 to 1327 99
CHAPTER VIIL
Representative History of the County of Lancaster — First Members for the County of Lancaster, and for its Boroughs —
First Parliamentary Return and first Parliamentary Writ of Summons for Lancashire extant — Members returned for
the County of Lancaster in the Reigns of Edward I. to Edward IV. — Returns formerly supposed to be lost from
Edward IV. to Henry VIII. — County Members from 1 Edward VI. to 50 Victoria — The ancient Lancashire Boroughs,
consisting of Lancaster, Preston, Liverpool, and Wigan, resume the Elective Franchise 1 Edward VI. — Newton and
Clitheroe added to the Boroughs of Lancashire — Representation of Lancashire during the Commonwealth — List of
Knights of the Shire for the County of Lancaster, from the Restoration to the Present Time — Alterations made in the
Representation of the County and Boroughs of Lancashire by the Reform Acts of 1832, 1867, and 1885. — a.d. 1295
to 1886 118
139
X CONTENTS.
CHAPTER IX.
Laueaahire History in the Reign of Edward III.— Pestilence— Creation of the First Duke of Lancaster— Heavy Imposts on
the People of the Duchy— Death ot the First Duke ot Lancaster— His Will and Possessions— Administration of the
First Duke, from the Rolls of the Duchy— Renewal of the Dukedom in the person of John of Gaunt— The Franchise
of jura refialia confirmed, and extended in favour of the Duke of Lancaster — Continuance of the Royal Bounty to the
House of Lancaster. — a.d. 1327 to 1377
CHAPTER X.
Power of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster — The Duke's Expedition to Spain — Larger Measures in Lancashire than any
other part of the Engdom — Accession of the House of Lancaster to the Throne — Grant of the Isle of Man, first to
Henry, Earl of Northumberland, and afterwards to Sir John Stanley, Knight — Annals of the Duchy — Charters of the
Duchy — Will of Henry IV.— Henry V. ascends the Throne — Union of the County of Hereford to the Duchy of
Lancaster — Battle of Aginoourt — Death of Henry V. — His bequest of the Duchy of Lancaster. — a.d. 1377 to 1422 155
CHAPTER XI.
Scarcity of Records for History during the Wars of the Roses — Marriage of Henry VI. — Claims of the Rival Houses of York
and Lancaster to the Throne— Wars of the Roses — Henry VI. dethroned by Edward IV. — Henry seeks an Asylum in
Lancashire — Taken by Sir John Talbot — Sir John's Grant for this service — Catastrophe to the Lancastrian Family —
Edward V. murdered in the Tower — Coronation of Richard III. — His Warrant for seizing a Rebel's Land in Lanca-
shire — -The King's Jealousy towards the Duke of Richmond, son-in-law of Lord Stanley, extends to his Lordship —
Attainder of Lady Stanley, Countess of Richmond — Landing of the Duke of Richmond in England — Battle of
Bosworth Field— Confiscation of Lancashire Estates — Union of the Houses of York and Lancaster — Sweating Sick-
ness^Lambert Simnell and Perkin Warbeck, Pretenders to the Throne — Fatal Consequences of the Civil Wars to the
Duke of York's Family (note) — Sir William Stanley accused of High Treason : condemned and executed^Henry VII.'s
Royal Progress to Lancashire — Execution of Edward, Earl of Warwick, the last Male of the Plantagenet Line — Death
of Henry VII.— A.D. 1422 to 1509 174
CHAPTER XII.
The Sixteenth Century— Heury VIII. ascends the Throne — Invasioa of England by the Scots — Battle of Flodden Field — The
King's Letter of Thanks to Sir Edward Stanley, &c. — Lords-Lieutenant firet appointed — The Reformation — Religious
Persecution — Visitation of the Monasteries — Dissolution of the Lesser Monasteries — Insurrections produced by the
Dissolution of the Monasteries — The Pilgrimage of Grace — Dispersion of the Rebel Army — They reassemble, &c. —
Finally dispersed — Renewed Rebellion in the North — Execution of the Abbot of Whalley and Others— Dissolution of
the Larger Monasteries — First Publication of the Bible in English — Excommunication of the King — List of Lancashire
Monasteries — Their Revenues administered by the Duchy — Aggregate Value of the Dissolved Monasteries — Bishopric
of Chester, &c., erected— List of Chantries in Lancashire — Decayed Towns in Lancashire —Privilege of Sanctuary —
The King's Death.— A.D. 1509 to 1547 196
CHAPTER XIII.
Lancashire in the Reign of Edward VI.— In the Reign of Queen Mary— Lancashire Martyrs : John Rogers, John Bradford,
George Marsh— Muster of Soldiers in the County of Lancaster in Mary's Reign —Lancashire in the Reign of Elizabeth
—General Muster of Soldiers in Lancashire in 1559— Ecclesiastical Commission, consisting of the Earl of Derby, the
Bishop of Chester, and others— State of Lancashire on the Appointment of the Commission— Catholic Recusants-
Mary, Queen of Scots, seeks an Asylum in England- Placed in Confinement- Puritan Recusants— Rebellion in the
North to Re-establish the Catholic Religion— Suppressed— Meetings of the Lieutenancy— Original Letter of Edward,
Earl of Derby, to the Queen- Letter of the Earl of Huntingdon to Secretary Cecil, casting Suspicion on the Loyalty
of the Earl of Derby— Proved to be Ill-founded— Part taken by Lancashire Gentlemen to liberate Mary, Queen of
Scots- Comparative Military Strength of the Kingdom— Muster of Soldiers in Lancashire in 1574— Declaration of the
Ancient Tenth and Fifteenth within the County of Lancaster— The Chaderton MSS. relating to the Afi'airs of the
County of Lancaster— Original Papers relating to the Lanoashire Recusants— Lancashire Contribution of Oxen to
Queen Elizabeth's Table— MS. of the Lancashire Lieutenancy — Lanoashire Loyal Association against Mary, Queen of
Scots, and her Abettors— Trial and Execution of Mary, Queen of Scots— The Spanish Armada— Letter from the
Queen to the Earl of Derby thereon— Preparations in Lancashire to resist— Destruction of— Thanksgiving for National
Deliverance in Lanoashire — Memorable and Fatal Feud — Atrocious Abduction —Levies of Troops in Lanoashire for
Ireland-^Suppression of the Rebellion there— Death ot Queen Elizabeth- Loyal Address of Lanoashire Gentry to her
Successor, James 1., on his Accession to the Throne.— a.d. 154? to 1603 214
CONTENTS. xi
CHAPTER XIV.
Ancient Manners and Customs of the County— Dress— Domestic Architecture- Food— Coaches- Education— The Church-
Sports and Pastimes— The Arts— The Laws -Superstition and Witchcraft^King James's First Progress- Lancashire
Knights— The Plague— The Gunpowder Plot— Letter to Lord Monteagle— Cecil's Account of the Discovery— Fate of
the Conspirators— Lancashire Baronets- Lancashire Witches— Dr. Dee's Petition— Seer Edward Kelly, the
Necromancer— History of Lancashire Witchcraft— Duchess of Gloucester— The Stanley Family— Satanic Possession-
Case of Seven Demoniacs in Mr. Starkie's Family at Cleworth— Dispossessed— The Conjuror Hanged— King James's
Dcemonologie—Witchea of Pendle Forest— Samlesbury Witches- Second Batch of Pendle Forest Witches-
Examination of the Lancashire Witches before the King in Council— Deposition of Ann Johnson, one of the reputed
Witches— Case of a Lancashire Witch in Worcestershire- Richard Dugdale, the Lancashire Demoniac— His Possession
—Dispossession— Witchcraft Exploded— Progress of King James through Lancashire— The Book of Sports— Further
Honours conferred on Lancashire Men— Letter from King James to Sir Richard Hoghton, with Autograph— Letter
from the King's Council to the Earl of Derby, Lord Lieutenant of Lancashire and Cheshire.— a.d. 1603 to 1625 255
CHAPTER XV.
Death of James I.— Accession of Charles I.— Contests between the King and his Parliament— Lancashire Members— Lords-
Lieutenant — Breaking out of the Civil War in Lancashire — County Meeting— Summons of Lord Strange to
Manchester — Musters made by him in Lancashire — Impeachment of Lord Strange — Meeting of Loyalists at Preston —
Blowing-up of Hoghton Tower— Campaign of 1643— Act of Sequestration— Summons by the Duke of Newcastle to
Manchester — Answer — Military Operations in Lonsdale Hundred — Assembly of Divines — Campaign of 1644— Siege of
Lathom House ; of Bolton ; of Liverpool — Deplorable Condition of the People of Lancashire — Seal and Patronage of
the Duchy — Military Possession of the County by the Parliamentary Forces — Catalogue of the Lords, Knights, and
Gentlemen of Lancashire who compounded for their Estates in 1646 — Classical Presbyteries of Lancashire — Campaign
of 1648 — Battle of Preston— Execution of King Charles I. — Campaign of 1651— Battle of Wigan Lsne — Fatal
Consequences of the Battle of Worcester — The Earl of Derby made Prisoner — Tried and Executed — Duchy and
County Palatine Courts — Summons of Oliver Cromwell of a Lancashire Member — Sir George Booth's Failure to Raise
the Royal Standard — General Monk's Success — Restoration of Charles II. — a.d. 1625 to 1660 283
CHAPTER SVI.
Restoration of Monarchy and Episcopacy — Corporation and Test Acts — Act of Uniformity — Ejected Ministers in Lancashire —
Five-mile Act — Sufferings of the Nonconformists — Abolition of the Feudal System — Militia Quota for Lancashire —
Lancashire Plot— Conspiracy of the Earl of Clarendon and others — Rebellion of 1715 ; of 1745 — Lancashire Gentry —
Lancashire Visitations — Geographical Situation of the County — Climate — Meteorology — Soil and Agriculture —
Forests — Geology — Lancashire Rivers — Catalogue of the Bishops of Chester from the Institution of the Bishopric,
33 Henry VIII., to the Present Time — Rate imposed upon the Clergy to provide Horses and Arms for the State in
.1608 — Ecclesiastical Courts, their Jurisdiction, Fees, and Revenues — Catalogue of the Bishops of Manchester from the
Foundation of the See — Creation of the See of Liverpool. — a.d. 1660-1745 322
CHAPTER XVII.
Lahcashiee Htjndeeds at the time of the Conquest— Mr. Whitaker on the Old Hundreds— Newton and Warrington Hun-
dreds merged in the West Derby Hundred — Hundreds synonymous with Wapentakes — Institution of Hundreds —
Made subservient to the Security of the Persons and Property of the Subject by King Alfred— System of Government,
Ecclesiastical and Civil— Statute of Winton— Enumeration of the Present Hundreds of Lancashire— Order of their
Arrangement in this History— Representation of the People Act, 1867— Area and Population of County Divisions
and Boroughs— The Lancashire Boroughs created by the Act of 1867— Changes made by the Act in the Parliamentary
Representation of Lancashire— The Reform Acts of 1884-5— Changes made in the Parliamentary Representation by
the Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885— Towns and Places included in the several Comity Divisions 368
APPENDICES.
PAGE
APPENDIX I.
Lord Hyde's List of those who have held the Duchy of Lancaster, &o. (abridged) 377
APPENDIX II.
Perambulation of the Forests (translation) 379
APPENDIX III.
The Lansdowne Feodary (translation) 380
APPENDIX IV.
A List of Papists who Registered their Estates in 1715 384
APPENDIX V.
Various Creations of Orders, &c. (Lancashire) 386
APPENDIX VL
Cotton — Annals of the Cotton Manufacture — The Cotton Famine 388
APPENDIX VII.
Electoral Statistics of Lancashire 401
APPENDIX VIII.
The Chetham Society— The Record Society ^03
APPENDIX IX.
Population of Lancashire, its Parishes, Townships, &c., iu 1801, 1811, 1821, 1831, 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, and 1881— Area
and Population of Registration Districts, in 1871 and 1881— Births, Marriages, and Deaths, in the Ten Years (1871-
1880)— Inhabited Houses, Families or Separate Occupiers, and Population of the Civil Parishes or Townships, in 1881-
Valuation of Property for Assessing the County Rate, in 1854, 1866, 1872, 1877, and 1884— Valuation of the Various
Poor-Law Unions in the County, 1884— Valuation of Cities and Boroughs having Courts of Quarter Sessions— Valua-
tion of Boroughs not having Grants of Quarter Sessions, having their own Police, and not Liable to be Rated for
County Constabulary Purposes— Townships not Liable to Contribute towards the Repair of Bridges— Valuation of the
whole of the County in Hundreds, including Boroughs having Grants and Quarter Sessions- Urban Sanitary Authorities
—Poor-Law (and Rural Sanitary) Authorities— County Police Divisions for Petty Sessional Purposes— County
Magistrates and Deputy Lieutenants, October, 1887— Public OfBcers for the County Palatine— Bridgemasters and
Surveyors — School Boards— County Courts .^ • •■"
ILLUSTRATIONS.
PACE
Portrait of Edward Baines Frontispiece
Fragment of Wall now existing : Roman Castrum, Manchester i
Map of Lancashire, showing the Sites of the Roman Stations and Camps, and the Course of the Roman Roads to face i
Roman Road, Blackstone Edge 7
Sections of do. 7
Coin of the Emperor Severus 8
Bronze Statuette (Jupiter Stator), found at Manchester 10
Figure of Victory, found at UphoUand, near Wigan 11
Roman Bulla, of Gold, found near Manchester 11
Roman Dishes, found in Castle Field, Manchester 11
Coins of jEthelstan, Harold Harefoot, and Edward the Confessor 32
Map of Lancashire according to the Domesday Survey (1086) to face 33
John of Gaunt's Gateway, Lancaster Castle 58
The Chapel Royal within the Precincts of the Ducal Residence of the Savoy 67
Armorial Insignia of Henry of Lancaster, afterwards King Henry IV., from his Tomb at Canterbury 69
Seal of the Duchy of Lancaster 79
Seal of the County Palatine of Lancaster 80
The Old Bridge, Berwick, between England and Scotland 141
John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster 168
Autograph of Henry V 173
Badges of the House of Lancaster 178
Autograph of Margaret, Countess of Richmond and Derby, Mother of Henry VII 193
Autograph of Henry VIII 205
Fumesa Abbey 209
Autograph of Edward, third Earl of Derby 220
Autographs from the Records of the Lancashire Lieutenancy in the Reign of Queen EUzabeth to face 226
Autograph of Henry, fourth Earl of Derby 249
Map of Lancashire in 1598 ^^ j-^^^ 253
Facsimile of Letter to Lord Mounteagle — Gunpowder Plot 264
Hoghton Tower gsi
Blackstone Edge , „„_
Tower — Hornby Castle „„„
Autograph of Charlotte de la TremoiUe, Countess of Derby qnn
Sir Alexander Rigby ....
Greenhalgli Castle
oOz
The Hodder Bridge
oil
Autograph of Oliver Cromwell
olo
President Bradshaw
oiy
Arms of the Sees of Chester, Manchester, and Liverpool
' 359
Right Rev. James Prince Lee, D.D., F.R.S., first Bishop of Manchester „,,
Right Rev. James Eraser, D.D., Bishop of Manchester 1870-1885
Right Rev. James Moorhouse, D.D., Bishop of Manchester
00^
Right Rev. John Charles Ryle, D.D., first Bishop of Liverpool , , , , ,,.
PEDIGREES.
PAGE
Pedigree of Roger de Poictou, Loid of the Honor of Lancaster 45
Descent of the Earls and Dukes of Lancaster, of the House of Anjou or Plantagenet, from the Conquest to the Accession of
Henry IV 62-3
Descent of the Houses of Lancaster and York, from Henry III. to the Union of Henry VII. (of Lancaster) with Elizabeth
(of York) ioface 194
A full Index will be given with the concluding volume.
THE
HISTORY OF THE COUNTY PALATINE
AND DUCHY OF LANCASTER.
-f-*'^-
CHAPTER I.
■Earliest Notices of Lancashire— The Roman Conquest and Rule in Britain— B.C. 55 to a.d. iiS.
HE County of Lancaster, though not particularly famed for those monuments of
antiquity which shed a lustre on history, local as well as national, is by no
means destitute of ancient remains. Its distinguishing characteristics, however,
consist in the extent of its commerce, the importance of its manufactures, the
number and value of its modern institutions, and the activity and enterprise of
its abundant population. In tracing the history of such a county, it becomes
the duty of the historian to describe with as much brevity as is consistent with
accuracy the monuments bequeathed to us by our ancestors, Avithout exhausting
the patience of his readers with prolix details and controversial disquisitions.
For nearly four thousand years of the world's existence, the history of this county and of this
country is almost a blank, except so far as it may be read in its geological phenomena ; and it may
be confidently asserted that before the first landing of Julius Csesar upon our shores scarcely
anything is known of the people who inhabited this island, or of the government and institutions
under which they lived.
According to Ptolemy, the inhabitants of the country between the lofty ridge which now
separates Yorkshire from Lancashire, and the bay of Morecambe, bore the name of the Setantii, or
Segantii — the dwellers in " the country of water '' — which district, on the second invasion of the
Komans, was included in the more extensive province of the Brigantes, extending on the east side
of the island from the Humber to the Tyne, and on the west from the Mersey to the Solway, and
comprehending the six counties of Yorkshire, Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmorland,
and Lancashire. This being the most powerful and populous nation in Britain, during the Roman
sway, it is the most celebrated by the best writers.^ Dr. Henry held the opinion that the Brigantes
were descended from the ancient Phrygians, who were the very first inhabitants of Europe, and
that they came over to this island from the coast of Gaul before the Belgse had arrived in that
country.^ The name doubtless originally meant the dwellers in the hill country, brig and brigant
signifying in modern Welsh the top or summit, and Brigantwys the people dwelling there.
Historians are generally agreed that the aborigines of Britain, as Csesar calls our earliest
ancestors, were Gauls or Gaels, who emigrated from the Continent, and settled in this island ^ about
a thousand years before the birth of Christ. The more probable conjecture is, as Csesar intimates,
that the interior parts of Britain, to the north and to the west, and consequently Lancashire, were
peopled by the earliest inhabitants, and the maritime parts by those who crossed over from
Belgium, in Gaul, for the purpose of invading it, almost all of whom had their names from the
tribes whence they sprang, and, on the cessation of hostilities, remained here.
I Camden, vol. iii., p. 233.
'■ Hist. Gt. Brit., vol. i,, p. 276,
» Eich. da Oh'., b. I. cap. ii., sec. 4.
2 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. I-
Before the first invasion of tlie Romans, the inhabitants of this part of the island subsisted
chiefly by hunting ; and their cattle grazed upon pastures unencumbered by any of the artmciai
divisions which a state of cultivation never fails to produce. For their clothing, when the severity
of the season compelled them to submit their limbs to such restraints, they were indebted to the
skins of animals ; and their dwellings were formed by the pillars of the forest, rooted m the earth,
and enclosed by interwoven branches, which but imperfectly served to shelter them durmg the
hours of repose from the conflict of the elements. Their governments, according to Diodorus
Siculus, the ancient historian, though monarchical, were free, like those of all the Celtic nations ;
and their religion, which formed one part of the government, was Druidical. Their deities were
furies ; human sacrifices were offered to them ;' and the eternal transmigration of souls was
inculcated and universally believed. The manners and customs of the Ancient Britons resembled
those of the Gauls. They were extremely warlike, eager for slaughter, and bold and courageous
in battle. Dion Gassius, speaking of the Britons in the northern part of the island (the
Brigantes), says — ■
" They never cultivate the land, but live on prey, hunting, and the fruits of trees ; for they never touch fish, of which they
have such prodigious plenty. They live in tents, naked, and without shoes ; have their wives in common, and maintain all their
children. The people share the government amongst tliem, and they practise robbery without restraint. They fight in chariots,
having small fleet horses ; they have also infantry, who can ran very swiftly, and while they stand are very firm. Their arms are
a shield, and a short spear, on the lower part of which ia a bell of brass, to terrify the enemy by its sound when shaken. They
likewise wear daggers. They are accustomed to brave hunger, cold, and all kinds of toil ; for they will continue several days up
to their chins in water, and bear hunger many days. In the woods they live on bark and roots of trees. They prepare a certain
kind of food for all occasions, a piece of which, of the size of a bean, prevents their feeling hunger or thirst." ^
Pliny says, " the Britons and Gauls wore a ring on their middle finger ;" and Ca3sar describes
them as wearing long hair.^ They wore, like the Gauls, a particular dress, called bracha, " Like
the old brachfe of a needy Briton.''* But the description of the manners and customs of the Ancient
Britons, as given by Caesar, is the most full and clear : —
"The Britons (says the Roman conqueror) use brass money, or iron rings of a certain weight instead of it. They think it
not right to eat hares, poultry, or geese, though they breed them all for amusement. Of all the natives, the most civilised are the
inhabitants of Cautium [Kent], all that country lying on the sea-coast ; and the manners of this people are not very different from
those of the Gauls. The inland inhabitants for the most part sow no corn, but live on milk and fiesh, and for clothing wear skins.
All the Britons stain themselves with woad, which produces a blue colour, and gives them a more horrible appearance in battle,
Thsy wear the hair of their head long, but close and bare on every part of their body except their head and upper lip. They have
their wives in common among ten or twelve of them, especially brothers with brothers, and parents with children ; but the issue by
these wives belongs to those who married them when virgins. Most of them use chariots in battle. They first scour up and down
on every side, throwing their darta, creating disorder among the ranks by the terror of their horses and noise of their chariot- wheels ;
and when they are got among the troops of horse, they leap out, and fight on foot. Meantime the charioteers retire to a little dis-
tance from the field, and place themselves in such a manner, that if the others are overpowered by the number of the enemy, they
may be secure to make good their retreat. Thus they act with the agility of cavalry, and the steadiness of infantry, in battle, and
become so expert by constant practice, that in declivities and precipices they can stop their horses on full speed, and on a sudden
check and turn them, run along the pole, stand on the yoke, and then as quickly dart into their chariots again. They frequently
retreat on purpose, and, after they have drawu our men a little way from the main body, leap from their poles, and wage an unequal
war on foot. Their manner of fighting on horseback creates the same danger, both to the retreater and the pursuer. Add to this,
that they never fight in bodies, but scattered and at great distances, and have parties in reserve supporting one another, and fresh
troops ready to relieve the weary."'
Though Ca3sar says that the Gauls had different languages, he adds, that it was usual for the
Gauls, who wished to acquire greater proficiency in the Druidical mysteries, to come over to Britain
to receive instruction from our Druids ; and Tacitus" says, " The language of the Britons and the
Gauls is not very different."
The Romans, in their thirst for universal empire, after subduing Gaul, turned their attention
towards Britain. Csesar's two expeditions into Britain, in the year 55 B.C., ended in a partial
conquest of the south and south-east parts of tho island, limited to the districts of the coast and
those washed by the Thames, and certainly not extending northward to within a hundred miles
of Lancashire. But the sun of Roman glory had now passed its meridian. Distracted by
domestic wars, which ended in the establishment of an absolute monarchy in Rome, the
conquerors had little force to spare for the preservation of distant conquests. The Britons were,
therefore, for a long time, left to themselves, and, for nearly a century after the invasion of Ca3sar,
they enjoyed, unmolested, their own civil and religious institutions.
In the interval between the first and second invasions of Britain by the Romans, the founder
of the Christian religion had accomplished His divine mission, in a province of the Roman empire,
but almost without observation at Rome ; and ten years after His death (a.d. 43), the Emperor
Claudius sent over an army to this country, undor the command of Aulus Plautius, the first
1 Solmus. (Scotia lUust. p. i. lib. ). c. ^-W.) The plant meant by Sir Robert (for it
' Sir Robert Sibbald supposes this to bo the root of orobus, or the is not easily identified by tins deacnption) is tlie heath peaseling, the
wild y(«(rai«i(MS l/ia(tM«, which has a taste like liquorice, and is called by Orobus tuberosiie ol hlnnxns. b Tt a lo r ir'i
the Highlanders, who chew it for the same purpose at present, karemyU. ' B. G. v. 14. Martial. a, u. v. li. vit. Agr. xi.
CHAP. I. THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE. 3
Roman general wlio had landed on this island since the invasion of Julius Csesar. The Emperor
Claudius, and his generals Plautius, Vespasian, and Titus, subdued several provinces of Britain,
after thirty pitched battles with the natives, in a.d. 43 and 44. Caractacus, King of the Silures —
the people inhabiting South Wales — -held out against the invading legionaries for nine years,
contmuing all the time to harass and oppose their advance ; but being defeated by Ostorius
Scapula at Caer Caradoc, on the borders of Shropshire, a.d. 51, he put himself under the protection
of his wife's mother, Cartismandua, Queen of the Brigantes, by whom he was betrayed and
delivered up to the Romans. It is about this time, or shortly before, that we first hear of the
Brigantes coming in contact with the Roman army, though they appear to have previously
contracted some alliance with, or owned some kind of submission to, the Imperial power, for
Tacitus records, that when Ostorius had defeated the Iceni, and was marching his army into the
West against the Cangi of North Wales, he was called away by the news of an insurrection
among the Brigantes, which he immediately quieted. " The Brigantes, indeed, soon returned to
their homes, a few who raised the revolt having been slain, and the rest pardoned."' Suetonius
defeated the British under Boadicea in A.D. 61 ; but it was not till the reign of Domitian
that Lancashire was really invaded and finally conquered by the Romans, under the successor of
Suetonius, Julius Agricola. At this period the principal and the most able commander amongst
the Britons was Yenutius, of the state of the Brigantes ; and it is probable that the progress of
the Roman arms in the country of the Segantii (Lancashire) was arrested by the skill and valour
of this native general ; but the discipline and constancy of the Roman troops, now commanded by
Petilius Cerealis, " struck a panic into the state of the Brigantes, which," according to Tacitus,
"was accounted the most numerous of the whole country, by attacking them with great force;
and after several, and some of them bloody, battles he reduced great part of Briton by victory,
or involved it in war."^ Tacitus speaks of many battles being fought, and it is not unlikely,
therefore, that Cerealis was occupied during the greater part of his tenure of office in the
subjugation of the Brigantes. To him succeeded Julius Frontinus (circa 75), and in A.D. 75 the
administration of the province was confided to Cnaeus Julius Agricola, who had served under
Suetonius at the time of the terrible revolt under Boadicea, the most distinguished of all the
Roman governors. The summer was nearly over when he landed, but he immediately took the
field, and attacked the Ordovices, who had defied the Roman power from their mountain fastnesses
of Denbio-hshire and Carnarvonshire, and fallen upon a regiment of cavalry stationed on the
confines. ° Having subdued them, he continued his victorious course into Anglesea, and well-nigh
exterminated the' inhabitants in the Island of the Druids During the winter of that year he
appears to have made Chester his head-quarters, and on the approach of the succeeding summer,
advanced northwards into the country of the Brigantes, and as we are told that he" examined
personally the estuaries," his progress must have been through Lancashire, which, having
previously partially submitted to Cerealis, was now finally subjugated. When Agricola, who
added to the bravery of the soldier the skill of the statesman, had alarmed the native inhabitants
by his severity, he offered inducements to peace by his clemency. By this conduct many of the
states, and the Brigantes amongst the rest, which till then had stood out, gave hostages, and
submitted to have a Ime of garrisons and castles drawn round them. This was the origin of our
Roman stations.
" ' la order that men who, by their unsettled and uncivilised state, were always ready for war, might be accustomed to peace
and inactivity bv pleasure, the general privately suggested, and publicly concurred in, the erecting of temples, market-places, and
houses commending those who showed a readiness to these works and censuring those who appeared remiss. This honourable
emulation nroduced the effect of obligation. He applied himself to instruct the sons of the chiefs in the liberal arts and appeared
to nrefer the genius of the Britons to the accomplishment? of the Gauls ; inasmuch as they, who but a bttle time before disdained
the laneuaee now affected the eloquence of Rome. This produced an esteem for the Roman dress, and the toga came into general
«BP Bv degrees the Britons adopted the vicious indulgences of the Romans, and the porticoes, the baths, and the splendid
h»nmiets entered into the number of their enjoyments. This, which they called cultivation, was in effect the appendage of
slaverv ' 3 Pursuing his victorious career, Agricola carried the terror of his arms to the remotest part of Scotland, and added
Trtl.Tid to the number of his conquests. At length, having traversed the country from its southern to its northern extremity, in
fhp short nenod of eight years, he returned to Rome, where the Emperor Domitian, rendered jealous by his renown, received him
with a cold salute, and then left the conqueror of Britain to mix with the servile crowd of the imperial court.
From the departure of Agricola (a.d. 82) till the arrival of the Emperor Hadrian in Britain
(AD 117) the name of the Brigantes scarcely occurs in history. It appears, however, that they
were subiected to the incursions of their northern neighbours, the Picts, and that the emperor,
" after correctino- many things, drew a wall eighty miles in length, on the northern boundary ol the
country of the Brigantes, to confine the ' Barbarians ' within the limits of their own borders."" Nearly
1 Tacit Annal 1. 12. C. 32 =■ Agricola C. 18. » Tacitus, Vit. Agricolae, xxi. * Vit. AgriouUe, xl.
' Vit. Had iixni, Scrip. Hist. Aug. p. 51.
4
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. I-
a century had now elapsed since the second invasion of Britain by the Romans, and in the course
of that period there had risen up in Lancashire the stations' of Manounium (Manchester) f Vera-
tinum (Wilderspool), on the Cheshire side of the Mersey, opposite Warrington ; Bremetonacum
(Ribchester) ;- Calunio (Colne) ; Coccium (Wigan), Ad Alaunam — the Longovicus of the Notitia
(Lancaster) ; Galacimn (Overboeough).^
The estuaries into which the rivers that watered these stations fell, though involved in some
degree of uncertainty, from the vague and indecisive character of the Roman charts, were— The
Mersey, called Belisama ; the mouth of the Wyre, called the Partus Setantiorum, or the
Haven of the Setantii, and Moricamhe Estuaria, or The Bat op Morecambe.
The Lancashire stations communicated with Isuriuvi (Aldborough) and Ehoracum (York),
the Brigantine capitals, by roads constructed by the Roman soldiery, and with other towns
enumerated in the Itinerary of Antoninus, and the Chorography of Ravenna.
It is conjectured that the principal part of the Roman roads in Britain was commenced
by Julius Agricola to facilitate his conquests. The four grand military Roman ways bear
the names of Watling Street, Hermin Street, the Fosse, and Ikening or Iknild Street ; but it is
FRAGMENT OF WALL NOW E.KISTING : ROMAN CASTRUM, MANCHESTER.
onxy the first-mentioned of these roads that conies within the scope of this history. Each of the
stations affords its antiquities : Ribchester abounds with remains ; and Colne, Freckleton, Lancaster,
Manchester, Overborough, and Warrington, will be found, in the progress of this work, to exhibit
in succession their antiquarian stores, and to proclaim their ancient alliance with the Mistress ot
the World. After the lapse of sixteen centuries, the county of Lancaster still presents innumerable
remams of these celebrated roads. At least four great Roman roads pass through this county-
two of them from north to south, and two others from west to east, and there are numerous
military ways of less consequence.
The first of the Roman routes extends from Carlisle (Luguvallium), in Cumberland, to
Kmderton (Gondate) in Cheshire : passing through Lancaster it advances pretty nearly due south
by Galgate and Garstang, then crossing Watling Street, which extended across the country from the
mouth of the Wyre to York and the east coast, the line continues by Preston, across the Ribbl
^ Whitaker's History of Manchester,
' The name or termination Caster, Cealer, or Chester, from Omtm a
camp, generally indicates a Koman station, '
•■' Since Mr. Baines wrote, many discovei-ies have been made in
relation to the Homan stations and roads in Lancashire and praise-
worthy efforts have been made by local antiquaries to connect the dis-
jomted fragments. The ablest writers on the subject have been the Rev
Edmund Sibson, of Ashton-in-Makerflcld ; Mr. John Just of Bury • Mr
e
John Robson, M.D., of Warrington; Rev. W. Thornber, M.A., Poulton-
le-Fylde; Mr. Charles Hardwick, of Manchester ; Mr. T. T. Wilkinson
F.B.A.S., of Burnley; Mr. William Beamont, of Orford Hall, Warrineton'-
Mr. H. CoUey March, M.D., of Manchester; Mr. E. Kirk, of Eccles and'
Mr. W. Thompson W.itkin, of Liverpool. The most exhaustive account
will be found in the work ou " Roman Lancashire " from the pen of the
last-named author.
^.-^-0?^^'
CHAP. I. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 5
and the Darwen to Bamber Bridge, Euxton, and Standish, thence along the Beggar's Walk, near
Gidlow, through the Mesnes, and across the ford on the Douglas, near Adam's Bridge, to Wigan
(Goccium). Still keeping a southerly course it leaves Bryn on the left, passes through Ashton-in
Makerfield, and, running half a mile westward of St. Oswald's Well, continues to Warrington, where
it crosses the pass of the Mersey at WiMerspool (Veratinum) ; beyond, the line leads through
Appleton, tends in a south-easterly direction, and, leaving the station of Northwich (Salince) on the
right, is continued as Kind Street to Kinderton (Gondate). From this great highway a road
diverges at Wigan, which runs eastward, taking the direction of Walkden Moor, where it assumes
the name of Staney Street, advances by the Hope Hall Estate, crosses the highway from
Manchester to Warrington, and, having passed the ford of the Irwell, at the shallow which gives
denomination to Old Trafford, is continued to Castle Field. A branch from this road proceeds
through the village of Stretford to the ford of the Mersey at Crossford Bridge, where there was
a small station ; then, pointing at Altrincham, it passes along the declivity of the hUls, and enters
Dunham Park. Here it takes the name of Street to Bucklow Hill ; from hence it passes to Mere
Town, when, leaving Northwich about half a mile to the right, it takes the name of Kind Street
at Broken Cross, and proceeds to Kinderton, the Gondate of Antoninus, now a suburb of
Middlewich.
The second Roman road extends from Overborough to Slack (Gambodunum), near Hudders-
field, in Yorkshire. This road passes through Ribchester, across the Ribble ; then, proceeding to
the east of Blackburn, it crosses the Darwen and continues by the left of Cockey Moor and Black-
burn Street to Spen Moor, and thence, through Radclifle, Stand, and Prestwich ; it next passes over
Kersal Moor, and is carried by way of Roman Road Terrace, Bury New Road, and Strangeways to
Manchester. Traversing that city obliquely, by way of Ancoats, it passes over Newton Heath to
Failsworth, whence it is continued under the name of Street or Street Lane to Hollinwood, and
thence by Glodwick and Hey Chapel to the summit of Austerlands, where it enters Yorkshire,
passes Knoll Hill in Saddleworth, and, crossing the Manchester and Huddersfield road at Delph,
leaves Marsden about a mile and a half to the south, skirts Golcar Hill, and attains the plot of
Gambodunum (Slack), where the remains of a station exist.
The third route commences near Fleetwood, at the mouth of the Wyre — believed to have been
the Setantian (Sistuntian) Port, or as we should express it. The Port of Lancashire — and con-
tinues in a southerly direction to Poulton ; thence, crossing the Main Dyke from Martin Meer, it
goes on by way of Staining and Weeton to Kirkham, at which point it tends eastward, and directs
its course to Lund Church, near where it is joined by another road, which commences at the Neb
of the Nese, near Freckleton, and, crossing the Lancaster road, leaves Preston about a mile to the
right, assuming on Fulwood Moor the name of Watling Street ; hence it proceeds to Ribchester,
from which station it passes over Longridge Fell, and then, turning to the north, traces the Hodder
to its source. From this road another branches off at Ribchester, which passes through the
townships of Billington and Langho, crosses the Calder at Potter's Ford, a little above its
junction with the Ribble, and continues south of Clitheroe, and by Worston and Downham into
Yorkshire.
The fourth Roman road commences at the ford of the Mersey near Warrington, and passes
through Barton and Eccles to Manchester. It afterwards traverses the townships of Moston,
Chadderton, and Royton, and keeping about a quarter of a mile to the right of Rochdale, by the
Oldham road, continues through Littleborough ; afterwards, mounting the British Apennines, it
sweeps over Rombold's Moor, on the north side of the Aire, and advances to Ilkley, the Olicana of
Ptolemy, where stood the temple of Verbeia, the goddess of the Wharf
The Roman Stations in Lancashire occur in the second and the tenth routes of the Itinerary
of Antoninus, and are thus arranged : —
Iter. II.
Ebukaovm (leg. VI. vie.) ... YorJc.
Calcaeia M.P.M. IS. ... ladcaster.
CaMBODVNO M.P.M. XX. ... Slack.
Mamuoio M.P.M. XVIII. ... Manchester.
Gondate m.p.m. XVIII. ... Kinderton.
Deva (LEO. XX. vie.) M.P.M. XX. ... Chester.
6 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. i.
Iter. X.
From Whitley Castle, near Alston, in the county of Durham, to Chesterton, in Staffordshire.'
A Clanoventa. From Whitley Castle.
Galava M.p.M. XVIII. ... Kirhby Thore. _
Alone m p.m. XII. ... Borrowbridge in Lonsdale.
Calaovm MP.M. XVIII. ... Orerborough.
Bremetonaci M.p.M. XXVII. ... Ribchester.
Cocoio M.p.M. XX. ... Wigan.
Manovnio M.p.M. XVII. . . . Manchester.
Condate M.p.M. XVIII. ... ICinderlon.
Mediolano M.p.M. XVIII. ... Chesterton.^
Several other roads, called Vicinal-ways, are to be found in this county, but the routes
described form the principal military communications. These roads generally consist of a regular
pavement, formed by large boulder stones or fragments of rock imbedded in gravel, and vary in
width from four to fourteen yards. It is a singular characteristic of the Roman roads that they
are not carried over rivers by bridges, but by fords, except where the rivers are impassable, and
then bridges are thrown over.'
A remarkable example of the pavement of a Roman way, and perhaps the most perfect of its
kind in the kingdom, remains exposed to view on the western slope of Blackstone Edge, where
the Roman road climbs the steep mountain ridge and extends in an easterly direction towards
Halifax. Some interesting particulars of this ancient highway are given in the Transactions of
the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society (v. i., pp. 73-86); and in a paper read before the
Rochdale Literary and Philosophical Society, November, 1879, Dr. H. Colley March thus
describes the mode of construction : — •
"The portion of the road is exactly sixteen feet in width. In some places there are distinct indications of a deep trench on
each side, dug into the earth for the purpose of drainage. The roadway is transversely arched, so that the water would run from
and not towards the centre. The road is paved with squared blocks. These are laid with great care, and are held by strong kerbs,
which stand up some two inches above the level of the causeway. Exactly in the middle of the road is a line of massive stones,
fitted together with great precision, while the other smaller stones, of which the general pavement consists, are of ordinary sand-
stone. These especial ones are always of the very hardest and densest grit. Along these stones has been cut, by the mason's art,
a deep and wide trough. The bottom of the trough is slightly, but invariably, convex. The width of the trough at its upper and
widest part is one foot four inches, its true width across the bottom is one foot one and a half inch. Its depth in the centre varies
from three and a half inches to five and a half inches. To return to the road in gener.al : As before said, its total width, outside all,
is sixteen feet ; but the kerbstones, being above its level, cannot be counted in. These vary in width from five and a quarter to
six and three-quarter inches. We may safely consider, then, that the practicable width of the road inside the kerbstone is fifteen
feet. This causeway of fifteen feet is divided by the central trough into two roads of equal width, the measurement from the inside
of the kerbstone to the outside of the troughstone being six feet. Each of these two roads is grooved by longitudinal furrows, and
no one entertains the least doubt that these furrows are wheel- tracks."
At the top of the hill the trough described ceases, though the square blocks are in places still
preserved ; but further on, where the descent begins to be steep, on the Yorltshire side of the hill,
the trough recommences.
_ The terror of the Roman name, and the vigour of their arms, seemed scarcely able to keep in
subjection the inhabitants of Britain, who sought every opportunity to shake off the foreign yoke.
According to Herodian, the proprtetor in Britain addressed a dispatch to the Emperor Severus, to
the effect that " the insurrections and inroads of the Barbarians, and the havoc they made far and
near, rendered it necessary that he should either increase the Roman force in this country or that
he should come over in person." On this intimation, the Emperor, though then advanced in life,
and sinking under bodily infirmities, repaired to Britain, and established his court in Eboracum
(York), the capital of the Brigantes. Having collected his force round that city (a.d. 207), the
Emperor, attended by his sons Caracalla and Geta, marched from York, at the head of a powerful
army, to the North, where he drove the Caledonians within their frontier and erected or restored
a stone wall within the vallum of Hadrian. This wall was the great artificial boundary of Roman
England from sea to sea. It has been customary to ascribe the earthen rampart to Hadrian and
the stone wall to Severus ; but it has of late years been shown by Mr. Bruce, on what appears con-
clusive authority, that they are essential parts of one fortification, and the probability is that
Severus repaired the work of Hadrian. The loss of Roman soldiers in this expedition, accordino'
to Dion Cassius, amounted to 50,000 men, partly by war and partly in cutting down the woods
/■The list given above is from Mr. Watkin's Roman Lancashire, and the authority ot MM. Parthey and Finder, the letters nrecedin,^ tho
It IS very much more correct than either of those printed in the previous numerals should be m.p.m., miiia plus mireits-miles, more or less -r
editions of this work. The Itinerary is supposed to have been compiled » The Itineraries of Richard of Cirencester relatine to jlni-Jthi^^
about A.D. 320. The letters m p. , which occur in many of the copies of this which have appeared in the previous editions of this work are omitf»H Vlfi
Itinerary, have been supposed to signify miUe passm. a thousand paces, MS. being of very doubtful authority, and beUeved by manv anHnnoVi..
uauaUy called Roman miles, equal 4834-28 English feet, the English mile to be a forgery — C. ^ antiquaries
being 5,280 feet, or 446 feet longer than the Koman mile ; but, as pointed » Galen Ix. c. 8. methodi.
out by Mr. J. B. Davidson (Archaologkal Journal, v. xxxvli., p. 310), on
CHAP. I.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
and draining the mosses, for which the north of England, and Lancashire in particular, is to
the present day distinguished. To commemorate his victories, Severus coined money with the
ROMAN BOAD— BLACKSTONE EDGE.
2 6
5^^/
^'JVj
GrouUenl of sie^A/est joart ofl/ui read-
SECTIONS OF THE ROMAN ROAD— BLACKS :ONE EDGE.
inscription, ViCTOBiiE Britannic^. He also assumed the name of Britanxicus Maximus, and
o-ave to his son Geta the name of Britannicus.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. I-
Mints were established by the Romans at eleven of their British stations, two of which were
York and Chester ; and it is probable that from these northern mints the coin was circulated over
Lancashire. No fewer than fifty different Roman coins have been found at Standish, in this county,
near the ancient Coccium, several of which are from dies struck by the Emperor Severus.
After the death of Severus at York (February 4, a.d. 211), and the return of Caracalla to
Rome, a long and profound silence is observed by the Roman historians as to the affairs of Britain,
and it is not till the reign of Diocletian — when Carausius, himself a Briton, who, being sent by the
emperor with a fleet to guard the Belgic coast, embraced the opportunity to pass over into this
island, and got himself proclaimed emperor at York — that any incident appertaining to the subject
of this history is recorded.
The usurpation by Carausius of the sovereign power in Britain occurred a.d. 286. After six
years of dominion, in which the naval strength of Britain was greatly increased, he was betrayed
and assassinated by his minister AUectus, at Ehoracum, — the second emperor who had met that
fate in the Brigantian territory. Diocletian and Maximianus refused to recognise the sovereignty
of Allectus, and sent a powerful force under Constantius Chlorus against him ; and in three more
years independent Britain was again subjected to the rule of the Caesars, by the defeat of this
second usurper, and quietly remained under the imperial government of Constantius Chlorus.
When (a.d. 305) the two emperors, Diocletian and Maximianus, took the singular resolution of
resigning their authority, these two Ca3sars, Constantius and Galerius, were declared Augusti. In
the division of the empire, the western provinces fell to the lot of Constantius who came over to
Britain, but he did not long enjoy the imperial dignity, for, falling sick at Eboracum, on his return
COIN OF THE EMPEROR SEVERtJS.
from an expedition against the Caledonians, he died there, July 25th, a.d. 306, having in his last
moments declared his son Constantino his heir and successor in the empire. He was the third
emperor who had died at York, and the honour of the apotheosis or deiAcation was conferred upon
him by the Roman senate. Constantino, afterwards called the Great, began his auspicious reign
at York, where he was present at his father's death, and was saluted by the troops stationed in the
city as emperor, on which occasion, as is said, a golden ball was presented to him as a symbol of
his sovereignty over the island. Upon his conversion to Christianity he placed a cross upon the
ball, andever since his time, the globe, surmounted by the cross, has been used as the emblem of
majesty m all the kingdoms of Christendom.
^17 I'^-^^i <^.'^^^^^si°'^ of Constantino took place in a.d. 311. The coincidence, says Mr. Thompson
Watkm is a singular one, that, as from Britain went forth the general (and emperor) who was
destmed to put an end to the Jewish dispensation (Vespasian), so in Britain the first sovereign
who embraced Christianity, and was the means of its adoption by the bulk of the ancient world
assumed the purple; and this latter event took place in Brigantian territory, of which Lancashire
formed a part The civil government of Britain was remodelled by Constantino, and under his
beneficent rule the countij seems to have enjoyed profound peace. Christian churches were
founded, and, according to Gough, there Avas a Bishop of York (the capital of the Brigantes) at the
Oouncil of Aries, a.d. 315. At his death, which occurred May 22, A,D. 337, the empire was divided
among his three sons, Constantinus, Constantius, and Constans, Britain falling to the share of the
last named. Not content with his part of the empire, Constantinus invaded the territories of his
youngest brother, m which invasion he lost his life, and was succeeded in Britain by Constans who
thus became sole emperor of the west, including Britain. Constans, after a reign of thirteen years
having fallen m the village of St. Helena, at the foot of the Pyrenees (whither he had been pursued
' Eomau Lancashire, p. IS.
CHAP. I. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 9
by Ma,srnentius, a.d. 350), his only surviving brother succeeded to the purple; and he was succeeded
by Julian, nephew of Constantine the Great, in whose rei^n the statue of the Brigantine goddess
found in the ruins of a temple in Annandale, in the year 1732, is supposed to have been erected.
One of the most interesting discoveries of Roman remains in Lancashire was made durino- the
summer of 1796, at Ribchester, by a youth, the son of Joseph Walton, in a hollow, nine feet below
the surface of the ground, that had been made in the waste land at the side of the road leading to
the church, and near the bed of the river. It is conjectured that when these antiquities were
deposited^ in this place the sand was thrown amongst them to preserve them in a dry state, but
they are in general much defaced by the corrosive effect of sand upon copper during a period of
nearly two thousand years. These antiquities were purchased by Charles Townley, Esq., of Townley
Hall, in this county, from the persons who found them, and they are described by that gentleman
in a letter addressed by him to the Rev. John Brand, secretary to the Society of Antiquaries, the
substance of which will be found in its proper place in these volumes. It will be sufficient to say
here that they consist of a helmet, a number of patera, the remains of a vase, a bust of Minerva,
the remains of two basins, a number of circular plates, and various other curiosities, many of
which appear to have been appropriated to religious uses.
"The helmet (says Mr. Townley) deserves the particular attention of the curious as the remains of remote ages ; very few
ancient ones, decorated with embossed figures, have as yet appeared. The three or four which were preserved in the Museum at
Portici are esteemed to be the most richly ornamented, and the best as to style of workmanship ; but when this helmet wag in its
proper state, it must have been equal, at least, to those in point of decoration, and in respect to its having a vizor imitating so
exactly the human features, I believe it to be the only ancient example of the kind that has yet been discovered. This singularity
may excite a doubt whether such a helmet was destined for real combat, or only for the enrichment of occasional trophies which
were erected in the celebration of military festivals, or carried in procession amongst the Greeks and Romans. Trophies of this sort
are seen on various medals, with the names of the people, whose subjugation such trophies are meant to record, inserted upon them,
as for example, De S.ikmatis — De Geumanis, on the medals of Marcus Aurelius and Commodus. The superior style of work-
manship of the mask to that of the headpiece is also remarkable. In the former, the beauty of the features, the excellent work of
the figures in relief, and more particularly by the sharp edges and lines with which the eyebrows, eyelids, and lips are marked,
after the manner of Grecian art preceding the Cfesars, denote it to have been executed some ages before the headpiece, the coarse
and heavy work of which corresponds with that of the artists employed in the reign of Septimius Severus, and particularly with the
sculpture upon the arch of that emperor, situated near the Capitol Hill at Rome. The cheek measures ten inches and a half from
its junction to the skull-piece, at the top of the forehead, to its bottom under the chin. A row of small detached locks of hair sur-
rounds the forehead a little above the eyes, reaching to the ears, which are well delineated. Upon the locks of hair rests the bottom
of a diadem or tutulus, which at the centre in the front is two inches and a quarter in height, diminishing at the extremities to one
inch, and it is divided horizontally into two parts, bearing the proportionate heights just mentioned.^ The lower part projects
before the higher, and represents a bastion wall, separated into seven divisions by projecting turrets with pyramidal tops, exceeding
a little the height of the wall. The apertures for missile weapons of defence are marked in each of the turrets. The two arched
doors appear in the middle division of this wall, and one arched door in each of the extreme divisions. The upper part of the
diadem, which recedes a little, so as to clear the top of the wall and of the turrets, was ornamented with seven embossed figures,
placed under the seven arches, the abutments of which are heads of genii. The central arch, and the figure that was within it, are
destroyed, but the other six are filled with a repetition of the following three groups : A Venus, sitting upon a marine monster ;
before her a draped figure with wings, bearing a wreath and a palm branch, and behind her a triton, whose lower part terminates
in tails of fishes. Two serpents are represented on each side of the face, near the ears, from whence the bodies of these reptiles
surround each cheek, and are joined under the chin. The union of various characters recalls the Pantheio representations of the
goddess Isis ; and when the accompaniments of the work are attentively considered, I am persuaded they will be found to represent
the goddess in her generating, preserving, and destroying capacities, which primitively constituted her universal dominion, and
characterised her as the Dea Triformis."
In 1839, while some excavations were being made near the site of the Roman castrum at
Manchester, a remarkably fine bronze statuette of Jupiter Stator was found. The figure, which
measures 5J inches in height, had at the time of its discovery a rod in one hand and the
thunderbolts of Jove in the other. It is now (with a silver coin of the Emperor Trajan, a.d. 98
to A.D. 117, found with it) in the possession of Mr. John Leigh, of the Manor House, Hale,
Cheshire.
Britain was soon after this period divided into two consular provinces. Maxima Cffisariensis
and Yalentia, and into three prsesidial districts — Britannia Prima, Britannia Secunda, and Flavia
Ca3sariensis.' This division was probably made in the reign of Valentinian, after the memorable
victory obtained by Theodosius over the united power of the Picts and the Scots^_(A.D. 308-9), and
Lancashire came under the consular government of Maxima Caesariensis, as forming part of that
province. From this period the Roman power rapidly declined, and the empire was menaced with
desolation by the Continental barbarians. The inhabitants and troops that were quartered in
Britain, fearing lest the Vandals should pass over the sea, and subdue them with the rest, revolted
from their obedience to Honorius, and set up one Marcus, whom they declared emperor ; but they
soon deprived him of his dignity and his life, placing Gratian in his room, who was a countryman
of their own. Within four months they murdered him also, and conferred the sovereignty upon
1 From subsequent information it is ascertained that a Sphinx was = Notitia Imperii,
found with these remains, wliich the person who discovered tliem omitted „,„ „,o
to deliver to Mr. Townley, but which, it is judged, served to decorate the ' Echard, vol. m. pp. 272, 273.
top of the Tinlmet.
3
10
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. I.
one Constantine, not so much in respect to his courage or his quality, for he was a very inconsider-
able man in the army, but in regard to his name, which they looked upon as fortunate, hoping he
would do as much as Constantino the Great had done, who had been advanced to the imperial
dignity in the same island. This new prince, immediately after his promotion, passed over into
Gaul, taking with him the very flower of the British youth. After subduing Spain and_ Northern
Italy, he was assassinated in A.D. 411. His expeditions had so utterly exhausted the military force
of the island that it was wholly broken, and the country left naked to her invaders (A.D. 448).^
Britain, being thus deprived both of the Roman soldiers and of the most vigorous part of her own
population, became an easy prey to the incursions of the northern invaders, the Picts and Scots, to
whose inroads the county of Lancaster was peculiarly exposed. The wall of Hadrian, or of
Severus, though it stretched across the island, and was built of solid stone, twelve feet in height
and eight feet in thickness, and though it was strengthened by fortresses well supplied with
munitions of war, no longer formed a barrier against the inroads of the enemy.
The country was garri- light of Christianity began
soned, and the conquest .-ii^^^%?^*iRjs *° dispel the mist of
principally achieved and /r^^^Sl^^T heathenism during the reign
maintained, during the four ^m/K^^I^^^ °^ Constantius Chlorus, the
centuries that Britain was !W^^ ^^^^i^ father of Constantine the
subject to the Roman sway, ^\f- ^ j^ot^MK^?) Great. Constantine erected
by three out of the twenty- "■*'-V»."*" '^'^^S^"^ the first episcopal see in
nine Roman legions, namely '^^^^■■n '■'•■^.«, Britain, and the seat of
— Legio II. ; Legio VI., * Sk^^i ^\ *^^* ^^^^ '^ig'^ity was at
Victrix, principally stationed Va Sg SL^ ■ ^ ) Eboracum. Constantine not
in the Brigantian capital of r.^^ ' ** T' oiily favoured the Christian
Eboracum (York) ; and Legio ^Qwlb. ' t' doctrine, but, to display his
XX., usually called Valens jS?*^ ■' "X- attachment to Christianity,
Victrix (mighty and victori- IkW ^''* -aSiP^ ^® stamped upon his coins
ous), long stationed at M^lir /' "Sri'mL'^ ^^^^ emblem of the Cross,
Chester." l^L^fL:- J P'^^^^'^S^^ a.d. 311. The progress of
The manufacture of H'^^ ^^If '\ ^^® *^^® faith was, however,
woollens was introduced into ulP ■ '^ra j continually retarded by the
England, and probably into f^m ^^^ j wars with which this
Lancashire, at an early period l ^ ^B { country was distracted, and
of the Roman conquest, and f^P '^«^ / ^* ^^^ ^°^ *^'^ ^ ^^*^^ period
the luxury of dress soon |p. 'Bl)i\ ' °f British history that the
succeeded the painting of j^ ^W great body of the nation
the body. After-ages have /W ; W') could be called Christians,
increased and perfected these 'I'iill/ mfJ^ "^^^ ^^P® °^ sixteen centu-
useful fabrics, and the ancient / ■ifflfF .wm^i ries, during which time
country of the Brigantes is mPi''''' . liril ^% generations of men
still the most famous of all ^SP'/ (JBi / liave passed over the stage
the districts of England for / W 'Mj of time, though it has
this invaluable production of ^/ mj consigned to destruction
the loom. Jft/ hF j numberless Roman remains.
The religion of the |. JP' I'J has served to bring to light
Romans consisted, till after ^ 0. ,, 'l|aS>% a great mass of antiquities
their _ final departure from "--— -Ji4.---;^s===Jl!a^^ in the stations of Lancashire.
Britain, of the idolatry of bronze statuette— jupimb statoe-found at Hence in Manchester and
the Pantheon, though the manche^t^b. .^ Lancaster, we have altars,
statues, coins, and medals. In Ribchester, a rich collection of antiquities, consisting of masks,
helmets, and domestic utensils, serves to show that this retired village was once an abode of
the conquerors of the world, besides numerous articles in the precious metals and in bronze
that have been found at different times at Overborough, Littleborough, Walmersley, Standish,
and Kirkham, but of these each in its proper place.
Ammianus Marcellinus, lib. xxvii. c. S.
A RoQian legion, when full, consisted of about 0,000 infantry and 400 cavalry.
CHAP. I.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
11
ROMAN BULLA OF GOLD (ACTUAL SIZE)
FOUND NEAR MANCUISTER, 1772.
FIGURtS OF VICTORY FOUND AT
UPUOLLAND, NEAB WIGAK.
ROMAN DISHES FOUND IN CASTLEFIELD,
MANCHESTER.
ROMAN DISUES I'OUND IN CASTLEFIELD,
JIAN CHESTER.
CHAPTER II.
The Saxon Period — luvasious, Conquests, and Short Rule of the Danes — Termination of the Saxon and Danish Dynasties of
England — the Norman Conquest— a.d. 448 to 1066.
HE progress in civilisation made by the Britons during the four hundred years
that this county and this country were occupied by the Romans, was a,lmost
obliterated by the six centuries which succeeded, of invasion from without
and discord within the island. One redeeming event served, however, to
dispel the night of heathen darkness; and the general introduction of
Christianity, perverted and contaminated though it was by superstition and
error, irradiated the gloom of the Saxon, the Danish, and the Norman
dominion. So fair a country as Britain, suddenly abandoned by its Roman
conquerors, and possessed by a people without union in the _ government, and without
reliance upon themselves, naturally became a prize for foreign competition ; and the struggles for
independence were rather the transient and convulsive efibrts of despair than the dauntless
energies of patriotic confidence. The ships which transported the legionaries of Rome from the
shores of Britain had scarcely weighed anchor when the invading hordes of Scots andPicts dis-
lodged the British troops from their fortresses, and, forcing a passage through, or passing round,
the Roman wall, penetrated into the counties of Cumberland and Lancashire, and even to the gates
of York, from whence they menaced the other parts of the island. The state of the country at
that time, as described by one of the earliest British historians,' serves to show that considerable
progress had been made in the arts, in commerce, and in agriculture ; and that the people no
longer painted their bodies, or depended for their food on the precarious resources of the chase.
" This island of Britain (says this ecclesiastic, writing in the middle of the sixth century) is 800 miles in length and 200 in
breadth, embraced by the embowed bosoms of the ocean, with whose most spacious and on every side impassable enclosure she is
strongly defended, enriched with the mouths of noble floods, by which outlandish commodities have in times past been transported
into the same, besides other rivers of lesser account, strengthened with eight-and-twenty cities, and some other castles, not
meanly fenced with fortresses of walls, embattled towers, gates, and buildings (whose roofs, being raised aloft with threatening
hugeness, were mighty in the aspiring tops compacted), adorned with her large spreading fields, pleasantly seated hills, even framed
for good husbandry, which ever mastereth the ground, and mountains most convenient for the changeable pastures of cattle;
watered with clear fountains and sundry brooks, beating on the snow-white sands ; together with silver streams ghding forth with
soft sounding noise, and leaving a pledge of sweet savours on bordering banks, and lakes gushing out abundantly in cold running
rivers."-
This description of the wealth of Britain, and of its scenery, drawn thirteen hundred years
ago, was doubtless applicable to the county of Lancaster at the time of the departure of the
Romans.
" After this (continues our author) Britain being now despoiled of all armed soldiers, and of her own brave and valorous
youth (who quitted the island along with the Romans, never returning to their homes), and absolutely ignorant of all practice of
war, was trampled many years under the feet of two very fierce outlandish nations — the Scots and the i?icts. Upon whose invasion,
and most terrible oppression, she sent ambassadors, furnished with letters, to Rome, humbly beseeching, with piteous prayers, the
hosts of soldiers to redress her wrongs, and vowing with the M'hole power of her mind her everlasting subjection to the Roman
empire, if they would allow their soldiers to return, and to chase away their foes. These letters were mdicted to this purpose —
' The Lamentations of the Britons unto Agitius, thrice Consul.' ' The barbarians drive us to the sea, the sea drives us back to the
barbarians. Thus, of two kinds of death, one or other must be our choice, either to be swallowed up by the waves or butchered
by the sword.' In this deplorable condition, no relief could be afforded by the Romans : the Goths were at their own gates ; and
to aggravate the miseries of the Britons, a, dreadful famine raged in the ravished country, which obliged many of them to yield
their necks to the yoke of the invaders for a little food ; and those who had too much constancy to submit to this humiUation were
constrained to seek refuge in the mountains, or to conceal themselves in caves and thickets."^
Repulsed by the Roman government, and without confidence in their own strength, the
Britons sought assistance from the Saxons, a nation of warriors and pirates. The military renown
of these people pointed them out as the most efficient of auxiliaries, while their ambition and their
avarice made them in reality the most dangerous of allies. To avert a present danger, ambassadors
were sent to the heads of their government, and to this urgent invitation the chiefs of the
Saxons replied: "Know ye, that the Saxons will be fast friends to the _ Britons, and ready at
all times to assist them in their necessity, for a suitable return. With joy, therefore, embark
again for your country, and make your countrymen glad with these good tidings." The Saxons
were confederated tribes, consisting of the Angles (and hence Anglo-Saxons), the Jutes, and the
' Gildas. Eptst. of Gildas, cap. i. '■' Epist. of Gildas, cap. xvii.
CHAP. 11. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 13
genuine Saxons.^ They were settled on the shores of the German Ocean, and extended from the
Eyder to the Rhine. The etymology of their name is involved in the obscurity of remote antiquity.
Their leaders are supposed to have bequeathed the appellation to their followers. The first Saxon
expedition to England, which consisted of 1,000 soldiers, embarked in three vessels, called cyulw, or
ceols, composed of hides,^ vmder the command of Hengist and Horsa,'' the latter serving under the
former, and both being in the fourth generation from Woden, one of the principal gods of the
Saxons. On their arrival in England (a.d. 449) they were directed by Vortigern, the British king,
to march against the enemy, then spread over the greater part of the country of the Brigantes ;
and on their arrival in the neighbourhood of York a bloody engagement took place, in which the
Picts and the Scots were driven out of Lancashire and Yorkshire, and compelled to take refuge
within their own borders. The Saxon generals, disinclined to finish the campaign by a single battle,
neglected to follow up this victory, and their troops remained in York and in Manchester, to recover
from the fatigues of their journey, and to recruit their numbers with fresh levies. Vortigern, held
by the double tie of gratitude to Hengist and love for the fascinating daughter of Horsa,
Rowena (Rumwen), became insensible to the danger that menaced his country, and the king closed
his eyes to those dangerous designs of ambition in his foreign auxiliaries which every day became
more manifest to his people. Having possession of Manchester and York, the Saxons sent for a
further supply of troops from Germany, which speedily arrived in seventeen ceols, and were
encamped in the Isle of Thanet. This measure naturally increased the suspicion of the Britons,
and they expressed their displeasure by refusing to provide for the fresh levies. A proclamation
commanding them to quit the country immediately followed, at which Hengist took deadly offence, and
the Saxons, who had come to expel invaders, now assumed themselves the character of open enemies.
Further reinforcements, under the command of Octa, the son of Hengist, and Ebissa, the son of
Octa, soon after arrived, and marched to the north, spreading themselves over the Brigantian
districts, which were soon to assume another name. The demands of the Saxons rose with the
concessions of the Britons ; and it at length became clear that nothing short of the full possession
of this fair island would allay the cravings of their ambition and cupidity. Digusted with the
blindness and effeminacy of Vortigern, his peopLe drove him from his throne, and Vortimer, his son,
reigned in his stead. After several battles betAveen the Britons and the Saxons, fought with various
success, in one of which Vortimer fell, Vortigern again ascended the throne, and Hengist demanded
a conference between the Saxon chiefs and the British nobility, to arrange terms, as was alleged, for
the Saxons quitting the kmgdom. This meeting took place upon the plain of Ambrij or Amesbury,
now called Sahsbury Plain. The unsuspecting Britons came unarmed, but the perfidious Saxons
had each a short skeine concealed under his cassock. After the conference the horns of festivity went
round, till the spirits of the assembly had become exhilarated, when, at the terrible exclamation
of "Nemed Saxes !" out rushed the Saxon weapons. The unarmed Britons fell before the perfidious
assassins, and three hundred of the bravest chiefs and the most elevated men of the country perished
on the spot.' Hengist now possessed himself of the southern part of the island, which he erected
into a principality, under the designation of the Kingdom of Kent, while Octa and Ebissa remained
settled in Northumbria. The fortunes of the Britons were partially retrieved by Aurelius Ambrosms,
a Briton of Roman extraction. Under his direction the military spirit of his countrymen was roused
into action, and after marching from Totnes, at the head of a formidable force, accompanied by
Uther his brother, surnamed Pendragon, he arrived before the gates of York, when he summoned
Octa to surrender. A council of war being called, it was determined by the Saxons to surrender at
discretion, and to cast themselves upon the clemency of the Britons. Ambrosms granted a free
pardon to the invaders, and, instead of shipping them out of the country, he assigned to them a
district on the borders of Scotland. Ebissa, who had probably occupied Manchester while Octa was
stationed in York, encouraged by the success of his kinsman's appeal to the conqueror s clemency,
came and surrendered himself in the same manner, and met with a similar reception. The gratitude
of the Saxons did not outlive their merciful conqueror. On the death of Ambrosms who was
succeeded by Uther the Pendragon (a.d. 449), Octa and Ebissa revolted, and issued from their
northern retreat by the route of Ribchester and Wigan, both which places they took, as well as
Manchester and Warrington. On their arrival before York an obstinate battle took place under
the walls of that city, which ended in the defeat and capture of the two mgrates/ .. . ,
The history of the country between the departure of the Roman legionaries and the rise of
the Saxon power is so blended with legend and romance that it is almost impossible to distinguish
fact from fable. The last glimmer of ancient literature is lost m the general darkness, and we
. With these, it is supposed, were some bodies of Frisians.-H. » About a.^ 42S, aocordiBg to Dr. D. H. Haigh's Conquest of Britain hy
■'■ Nennius, cap. xxyiii, [really from Gildas]. * NcnS'us, c! xlviij. ' Geof. Mon. Poliohron, etc.
14 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap, n,
are compelled to advance in the light of tradition, which reveals nothing distinctly. Many of the
events of that period are so inextricably interwoven with the mythical legends and poetic imagery
of the Monkish writers that it is difficult to separate the grains of historical truth from the mass of
traditional chaff'. Not that the two things are necessarily antagonistic, for the respective lines_ of
divergence may not be altogether out of harmony with the central verity, but the accounts which
have been handed down are so bewildering that it is necessary to receive them with the greatest
reserve. Mr. Fiske, of the Harvard University, in his " Myths and Mythmakers," goes so far even
as to affirm his belief that the story_ of Hengist and Horsa is unworthy of credit, though admitting
that it probably embodies an historical occurrence. There is little doubt that the achievments of
the little band of buccaneers who followed their lead has been greately expanded, and the claim
made of their being the immediate descendants of Woden gives colour to the suggestion of a
mythical origin. We may, however, accept the main outlines of the events recorded, though the
seductive graces of Rowena, the daughter of Horsa, who corrupted the king of the Britons by love
and wine, is doubtless a later embellishment of the original narrative.
The son and successor of Uther, born of Lady Igerna, wife of Gorlois Duke of Cornwall, was,
according to the old chroniclers, the renowned king Arthur (a.d. 467). Trained to arms by
Ambrosius, under whose commission he for some time fought,^ and animated by the wrongs of the
Britons, over whom he was appointed to reign, he became himself the leader of their wars, and in
all of them he came off conqueror. The first of his battles was fought at the mouth of the river
called the Glem. The second, third, fourth, and fifth, upon another river called the Douglas, in
the territory of Linuis. The sixth was on a stream which bears the name of Bassas. The seventh
was in the wood of Caledon. The eighth was at Castle Guinnion (or Caer-wen). The ninth at
the city of Legion (Chester). The tenth on the banks of the river Ribroit. The eleventh on the
hUl Agned Cathregonion. The twelfth at Mount Badon (Bath).
The Rev. R. W. Morgan, in his "Cambrian History," thus localises the Arthurian
victories : —
"First, at Gloucester. Second at Wigan, ten miles from the Mersey. (This battle lasted through the night. In a.d. 1780,
on cutting through the tunnel, three cartloads of horseshoes were found and removed). Third, at Blackrod. Fourth, at Penrith,
between the Loder and Elmot (the Lowther and Eamont), on the spot still called King Arthur's Castle. Fifth, on the Douglas, in
Douglas Vale. Sixth, at Lincoln. Seventh, on the edge of the Forest of Celidon (Ettrick Forest), at Melrose. Eighth, at Caer
Gwynion. Ninth, between Edinburgh and Leith. Tenth, at Dumbarton. Eleventh, at Brixham, Torbay. Twelfth, at Mont
Baden, above Batli."
Nennius, it will be seen, speaks of four battles having been fought on the river
Douglas, but Giraldus only refers to one, which, according to his representation, occurred
about the year 500, and resulted in the loss of the greater part of both armies, though
victory remained with Arthur, who pursued his enemy, Colgrin, to York, and there besieged him.
Mr. Daniel H. Haigh, one of the latest writers who contend for the substantial veracity of the
statement embodied in the Arthurian romance, in his " Conquest of Britain by the Saxons," says,
" The river Douglas, which falls into the estuary of the Kibble, is certainly that which is indicated here (the Douglas referred
to by Nennius), and although it was one of Arthur's tactics to get round his adversaries, so as to be able to attack them when least
expected (which wiU account for the conflict being considerably to the west of the direct hue from London to York), it is extremely
improbable^ that he would have gone so far north as the Douglas in Lothian, when his object was to attack Colgrin at York. The
reading which the Paris MS. and Henry of Huntington give is, I believe, correct, and represents Ince, u, name which is retained to
this day by a township near to this river, a little more than a mUe to the south-west of Wigan, and by another about fifteen miles
to the west, and which may possibly have belonged to a considerable tract of country. . . . Neither the Brut nor Boece
mention more than one battle at this time, but the latter says that Arthur ' pursued the Saxons, continually slaughtering them,
until they took refuge in York,' and that 'having had so frequent victories he there besieged them ;' and these expressions may
well imply the four victories gained in one prolonged contest on the Douglas, and another on the river Bassas, i.e., Bashall Brook,
which falls into the Kibble near Clitheroe, in the direct line of Colgrin's flight to York."
That some great battles were fought on the banks of the Douglas,^ in early times,
the remains since discovered abundantly testify, and the balance of testimony seems in favour of
the hypothesis that the Lancashire river was the scene of the four battles mentioned by Nennius,^
and which Mr. Haigh believes to have been one prolonged contest.
The history of Arthur is mixed up with so much romance as to render it extremely difficult to
separate truth from fiction. The ingenuity and research of Mr. Whitaker, the historian of Man-
chester, have placed this subject in so strong and interesting a light, in the second chapter of his
Saxon History of Manchester, that it may be quoted with advantage, with the exception of thosa
passages for which the public is indebted more to the vigorous imagination of the author than to
historical evidence : —
» Malmesbury, f. i. -- In some copies tlio name is given as " Dubglao," and in others It is rendered " Duggles. '
" Nennius, capp. Ixv. Ixvi.
CHAP. II. .THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 15
" The second, third, fourth, and fifth baltleg of Arthur are supposed to have been fought in our own county (Lancashire), and
upon the banks of our little Douglas.' And the name of the river concurs with the tradition concerning Arthur, and three battles
prove the notion true. Ou the traditionary scene of this engagement remained, till the year 1770, a considerable British barrow,
popularly denominated Hasty-Knoll. It was originally a vast collection of small stones taken from the bed of the Douglas ; and
great quantities had been successively carried away by the neighbouring inhabitants. Many fragments of iron had been also
occasionally discovered in it, together with remains of those military weapons which the Britons interred with their heroes at death.
On finally levelling the barrow, there was found a cavity in the gravel immediately under the stones, about Beven feet in length,
the evident grave of the British officer, and all filled with the loose and blackish earth of his perished remains. At another place,
near Wigan, was discovered, about the year 1741, a large collection of horse and human bones, and an amazing quantity of horse-
shoes, scattered over a large extent of ground — an evidence of some important battle upon the spot. The very appellation of Wigan
is a standing memorial of more than one battle at that place. Wig signifying, in Saxon, a fight, and Wig-en being its plural.
According to tradition, the first battle fought near Blackrod was uncommonly bloody, and the Douglas was crimsoned with blood
to Wigan. Tradition and remains concur to evince the fact that a second battle was fought near Wigan Lane many ages before the
rencounter in the civil wars. The defeated Saxons appear to have crossed the hill of Wigan, where another engagement or engage-
ments ensued ; and in forming the canal there, about the year 1735, the workmen discovered evident indications of a considerable
battle on the ground. All along the course of the channel from the termination of the Dock to the point of Pool Bridge, from forty
to fifty roods in length, and seven or eight yards in breadth, they found the ground everywhere containing the remains of men and
horses. In making the excavations, a large old spur, carrying a stem four or five inches in length, and a rowel as large as a
halfcrown, was dug up ; and five or six hundredweight of horseshoes were collected. The point of land on the south side of the
Douglas, which lies immediately fronting the scene of the last engagement, is now denominated the Parson's Meadow ; and tradition
reports a battle to have been fought in it. The dispirited Saxons fell before the superior bravery and dauntless spirit of the Britons.
These four battles were fought upon the river Douglas, and in the region Linuis. In this district was the whole course of the
current, from its source to its conclusion, and the words ' super fiumen quod vacatur Douglas, quod est in Linuis' (upon the river
called Douglas, which is in Linuis), show the stream to have been less known than the region. This was therefore considerable ;
one of the cantreds or great divisions of the Sistuntian kingdom, and comprised, perhaps, the western half of south Lancashire.
From its appellation of Linuis, or the Lake, it seems to have assumed the denomination from the Mere of Marton, which was once
the most considerable object within it, and was traversed by the Romans in canoes of a single tree.^ Thus by four successive
victories had Arthur subdued the great army of the Saxons, which had so often beaten the Britons of the north, and then held the
Sistuntii in bondage. But Lancashire was not yet entirely delivered. The castles which had been previously erected there by the
provincials would naturally be garrisoned by the Saxons on their conquest of the country, and the towns and their vicinities more
immediately bridled by their barbarous oppressors. Tradition asserts Manchester to have been thus circumstanced in particular at
this period."'
Here, in the Castle Field, according to this authority, stood the Roman castle, now occupied
by the Saxon commander Sir Tarquin, who was not expelled till after two desperate attempts to
carry the fortress, in which the Britons at length succeeded, and Tarquin fell before the victors.
The traditions of Lancashire still cherish and uphold the memory of Sir Tarquin, the lord of the
castle, and the knights of the Round Table, many of whom are supposed to have fallen within the
tyrant's toils, till Sir Lancelot du Lake slew the sanguinary knight, and liberated his captives.'
Accepting without question the statements of Nennius and Giraldus, the rev. historian of
Manchester had so much faith in the historic personalty of Arthur and the knights of " the
noble order of the table round," that he not only fixed the sites of several of their presumed
exploits in Lancashire, but, following tradition, located at Castle Field, Manchester, the legendary
fortress of the giant Tarquin, who is represented as having held threescore and four of Arthur's
knights in thraldom until he himself fell beneath the stalwart arm of Sir Lancelot du Lake. It is
scarcely necessary to say that, notwithstanding Mr. Whitaker's ingenuity, Sir Tarquin, Sir Lancelot,
and their knightly compeers, are as much the product of the imagination as are Merlm, Mordred,
Sir Gawain, or any other of the personages immortalised in the heroic story which Caxton printed
and Tennyson in later times wrought into verse, and we must be content to treat the traditions oi
their existence as we treat those which reveal to us the actions of Chronos and Rhea, of Inachus,
Danaus, and Prometheus. That there was a British chieftain who resisted the invaders during
some portion of the two or three centuries over which the Anglo-Saxon conquest extended, and
whose deeds of prowess were the admiration of his contemporaries, is extremely probable ; and it
is not less likely that the chroniclers of an uncritical age gathered up the floating legends of other
heroes mythical and real, and crystallised them, so to speak, on a single personage, whose indi-
viduality in a truly historic sense is lost in the fairy web of fiction that has been spun around him.
The last of Arthur's victories was achieved at the battle of Badon Mount (Bath) ; and Mr.
Whitaker contends that these memorable engagements not only checked the progress of Cerdic,
but annihilated the Saxon army, and that a long interval of repose, extending through seventy
years followed It appears, however, from the Saxon chronicles, that Cerdic died m the year 5.J4
[515 or 5161 "and was succeeded by his son Cynic [Creoda, or his grandson Cyneric] m the
Uvernment of Wessex ; and that he," in the peculiar language of these chronicles, "reigned atter-
wards twenty-six winters." It is also shown, from the history of our Anglo-Saxon ancestors, that
Ella and Ida reigned in Deira and Bernicia within thirteen years from the supposed death ot
Arthur and that the Saxon conquests gradually advanced till all England was subdued, and erected
into seven sovereign states, under the name of the Heptarchy. The propriety of this appellation
has been disputed, and the term Octarchy adopted in its stead. The difference is capable ot an
1 Hidden t) 205 = Leigh's Lancashire, b. i., p. 18. •■■ Whitaker's Manchester, vol. ii., b, u., c. 2,
iiigacu, p. . ^ ^^^^ ^^^^ tradition attaches to Broughom Castle, m Westmorland.— C.
16 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. ohap. n.
easy explanation — Northumbria being considered one kingdom by the advocates for tbe Heptarchy.
and two (that is, Deira and Bernicia) by the supporters of the Octarchical division. The seven
kingdoms were — Sussex, Kent, Wessex, East Anglia, Essex, Mercia, and Northumbria. This latter
kingdom, which alone concerns the subject of this history, was occasionally divided into two, under
the names of Deira and Bernicia, but in its integrality it may be exhibited thus, with the succession
of its Saxon sovereign princes: Northumbria consisted of the counties of Lancaster, York,
Durham, Westmorland, Cumberland, Northumberland : and its kings were — (1) Ella, or Ida,
(2) Adda, or Elappea, (3) Theodwald, (4) Fretnulse, (5) Theodrick, (6) Ethelrick, (7) Ethelfrid, (8)
Edwin, (9) Oswald, (10) Egfrid, (11) Alkfryd, (12) Osred, (13) Kenred, (14) Oswick, (15) Ceolulph,
(16) Ecgbert, (17) Oswalph, (18) Ediswald, (19) Elured, (20) ^Ethelred, (21) Alfwald, and (22)_ Osred.
This kingdom existed 379 years, dating its commencement from 547, and its desolation in 926.
During the Roman period, the largest portion of this county took its name from the Brigantes ;
but the Saxons, from its local situation to the North of the Huviber, changed its designation to
" Northan Humber Londe," or Northumberland. The Saxon inhabitants of this kingdom were
the Angles, who arrived from Anglia, now known as the Duchy of Holstein,^ or Angloen, in
Pomerania, as early as the year 449 [428], though their kingdom of Northumberland was not
established till one hundred years after that date. It has been conjectured that Mercia included
Deira, or that the country between the Mersey and the Ribble was within the Mercian territory.
But the preponderance of evidence is in favour of the more generally recognised limits, namely,
that the Humber and the Mersey to the south, and the Solway and the Tyne to the north, formed
the Northumbrian boundary; and that when this kingdom was divided, the kingdom of Deira
consisted of the counties of Lancaster, York, Westmorland, Cumberland, and Durham, precisely
the ancient Brigantine limits, while Bernicia comprehended Northumberland and the south of
Scotland between the Tweed and the Firth of Forth. Over the beginnings of Northumbria, the
former territory of the Brigantes, there hangs, if possible, even greater obscurity than over any
other of the kingdoms which sprang up after the Saxon colonisation. For a century and a half
thick darkness overspreads the history of the country, and in regard to contemporary events we
are only able to grope our way to probable conclusions through a bewildering mass of broken
memories and traditions, and the obscure data of philological research. Assuming it to have
consisted of the two states, Deira and Bernicia, it is difficult to reconcile the theory with actual
facts, except upon the supposition that, at the outset, those kingdoms occupied only the tract of
country between the Humber and the Grampian Hills on the eastern side of the great mountainous
ridge known in these later days as the English Appenines. This country was colonised by
innumerable petty chiefs and their clans, who, arriving, some from Scandinavia, some from
Germany, settled upon the first spot that offered them a resting place.^ Fiercely they contended
with each other; the weak fell before the stronger, assassination followed assassination, and
massacre succeeded to massacre. The strife waged between the eaorls and the petty chieftains in
these two kingdoms of Doira and Bernicia long hindered the full conquest of Brigantium, the
western side of the island — -the country of the old Sistuntii— remaining for a lengthened period
after the departure of the Roman legionaries, a part of the great Celtic kingdom of Strathclyde—
Strathclwdd Wealas, as it was sometimes called — which, maintaining its independence, extended
eastwards from the Irish Sea to the range of hills that formed the watershed, and stretched south-
wards from the Clyde to the river Dee, where it joined up to the smaller British states which
occupied what we now call Wales, Chester forming the connecting link between the two countries.
Lancashire appears to have been included in the district of Teyrulluug, which embraced the
territory between Aerven (the river Dee), and Argoed Derwenwyd (the Derwent of modern times).
The name implies that it was a royal demesne, and as the country was but sparsely populated,
there being few inhabitants beyond those who had been induced to settle around the principal
Roman stations, there is good reason to beheve that the more northern parts of the county
mcludmg the Furness district, were great tracts of forest country, the haunt of the wolf, the wild
boar, and other animals of prey or of the chase. Eventually the new comers won their way into
these western parts, though it was only after a long and stubborn resistance on the part of the
native race, and when the decisive victory at Bangor-Iscoed had been gained, that the country,
was brought under subjection to Saxon rule. The system of government established by our Saxon
ancestors had in it the germ of freedom, if it did not always exhibit the fruits. In religion they
were idolaters, and when they settled in Britain, their idols, altars, and temples soon overspread
the country. They had a god for every day in the week. Thor, or Thur, represented Thursday ;
Woden conferred his name on Wednesday ; Friijn,, or Fricge, presided over Friday ; Seater over
' SaJton Chronicle, a.d. 449, 2 Pnlgravo, English Commonwealth I. 426.
CHAP. 11. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 17
Saturday ; and Tuisco, the tutelar god of the Germans, conferred his name on Tuesday. The
attributes of the first four of these deities corresponded with those of the Roman deities, Jupiter,
Mars, Yenus, and Saturn ; Tuisco s parallel was Mercury ; the Saxons had also their Ermenseul,
who, like Mercury, was the bestower of wit ; and Heile, a sort of ^sculapius, the preserver and
restorer of health. Besides thesp gods, the Saxons worshipped the sun and the moon, who each con-
ferred a name on one of the days of the week ; Sunnan on Sunday, and Monan on Monday. The
people worshipped the statues of these gods. Thor, the supreme, was seated on a throne, and on
either side of him stood Woden and Friga (husband and wife). Thor, according to the prevailing
superstition, bore rule in the air, and governed the thunder, the lightning, and the winds ; he
likewise directed the weather and regulated the seasons, giving plenty or inflicting famine at his
will. Woden made war, and ministered rigour against enemies; while Friga bestowed upon
mortals peace and pleasure. So gross was the Saxon superstition, and so strong their incentives
to war, that they believed if they obtained the favour of Woden by their valour they should be
admitted after their death into his hall, and, reposing on couches, should satiate themselves with
ale from the skulls of their enemies whom they had slain in battle ! This beverage was in high
esteem amongst them ; and Foster, to whom they sacrificed in the month of April, gave the name
to Easter, by which the festival of the resurrection is designated in the Christian system. The
Saxon women were not allowed to contract a second marriage, and a similar restriction applied to
the men, except those in elevated stations who were childless ; for, amongst such, " to be without
children was to be without reputation." The most dismal feature of their superstition was the
custom which they had in war, after a successful enterprise, of selecting by lot, and sacrificing,
one-tenth of their captives to their sanguinary gods.^ In this spirit they offered human sacrifices
to obtain success in battle. Revolting as this heathendom was, and debasing in some essentials,
there were yet manifestations of a spirit which did not walk in the world without believing in
some presiding influences which governed human actions. Before the arrival of the Saxons,
Christianity had taken root in England; under Constantino it prospered, and for a time spread its
healing branches, recommending itself even to the Roman legionaries ; but the invasion of the
Saxon infidels for a lengthened period obscured, though it did not actually extinguish, the
light of the Gospel in Britain; and both Gildas and Bede concur in representing the Saxons,
at that period, as a nation "odious both to God and man,"^ the subverters of altars, and
the enemies of the priesthood. The sweeping away of whatever remained of Roman rites
or had been created of Christian worship was a dominant principle in the life of the
new comers, but at the same time their heathendom possessed some capacity of assimilation
with that faith before which the classical paganism of the ancient world had retreated, and
it is a pregnant fact in the history of our Anglo-Saxon progenitors, as Mr. Kemble points
out, that, at the beginning of the sixth century, " Christianity met with_ but little resistance
among them, and enjoyed an easy triumph, or, at the worst, a careless acquiescence, even among
those whose pagan sympathies could not be totally overcome." ^ Before Gregory, surnamed the
Great, had attained the pontifical chair, he formed the pious design of undertaking the conversion
of the Saxon Britons. Observing in the market-place at Rome a number of Saxon youths exposed
to sale, whom the Roman merchants in their tradmg voyages had bought from their British parents,
beino- struck with their beauty, he inquired to what country they belonged, and was told they were
Andes, from the kingdom of Deira. Moved by the same spirit that now actuates so many of the
people of England towards the heathen nations, he determined himself to undertake a mission to
Britain, to convert the heathen of that country. The popular favour of the monk disinclined the
people to allow him to be exposed to so much danger in person ; but no sooner had he assumed the
purple than he resolved to fulfil his benevolent design towards the Britons, and he pitched upon
the monk Augustine to preach the Gospel in that island. In the year 596, Augustine, at the head
of about forty missionaries, embarked from Italy, and landed in the Isle of Thanet. His arrival
was immediately announced to Ethelbert, . king of Kent, who received him graciously, gave him
liberty to preach and teach in all his kingdom, and eventually became himself a convert, was
baptised in the lowly church of St. Martin, outside the walls of Canterbury, where the missionaries
first began to meet, and a multitude of his subjects followed his example. In 604, the neighbouring
East Saxons were proselytised ; in 627 the East Angles adopted the Christian faith ; and m the
following year the example extended to Mercia. Thus the flame spread from kingdom to kingdom,
till the whole heptarchy had become Christian. , ^ ^ , . . . t t? ^ a x. a
Lancashire as already shown, remained unsubdued long after other parts ot England had
submitted to the invader, but it was doubtless the scene of many petty invasions and sanguinary
> Sid ApoU Epist. vi., 1, 8. ' GUdas, Brit. Epist, xxiii.; Bedo 1. i., 22. •■' The Saxons in England, v. i., p. 443.
4
18 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. n.
encounters, the details of which have become lost in the mists of time, and the sites even forgotten.
In 607, as the Anglo-Saxon chronicle records, or, according to the annals of Ulster, in 612,
" Ethelfrith (the powerful Northumbrian king) led his army to Chester, and there slew numberless
Welshmen ; and so was fulfilled the prophecy of Augustine, wherein he saith, ' If the Welsh will not
be at peace with us, they shall perish at the hands of the Saxons.' fhere were also slain two hundred
priests who came to pray for the army of the Welsh." Florence of Worcester puts the number at
"twelve hundred British priests, who had joined the army, to offer prayers on their behalf," but
this is, doubtless, an exaggeration. They were the monks of Bangor— the British Oxford from
whence Christianity had spread far and near— who disdained subjection to Augustine, and had
refused to join the Italian missionaries. Their house, which Ethelfrith subsequently destroyed,
had been founded before a.d. 180, and was the ancient Bancorbury, as Bede calls it, but more
o-enerally known as Bangor-is-y-Coed (the high choir under the trees), or Bangor Monachorum, and
occupied a position on an island in the river Dee, a few miles south of Chester. Mr. J. R. Green,
in his " Making of England," thus describes the march of Ethelfrith's army through Lancashire to
Chester and Bangor-is-y-Coed : " Though the deep indent in the Yorkshire shire-line to the west
proves," he says, " how vigorously the Deirans had pushed up the river valleys into the moors, it
shows that they had been arrested by the pass at the head of the Ribblesdale ; while further to the
south the Roman road that crossed the moors from York to Manchester was blocked by the uncon-
quered fastnesses of Elmet, which reached away to the yet more difficult fastnesses of the Peak.
But the line of defence was broken as the forces of Ethelfrith pushed over the moors along the
Ribblesdale into our southern Lancashire. His march was upon Chester, the capital of Gwynedd,
and probably the refuge place of Edwine." '
In A.D. 620, Edwin, king of Northumbria, one of the best and wisest of the Saxon sovereigns,
on his expedition against the Sistuntii of the south, subdued the Brigantes of the VVest Riding of
Yorkshire ; then crossing the moorland ridge separating Yorkshire from Lancashire, he entered
Manchester, and permanently reduced the town under the dominion of the Saxons. _ Having
married Ethelburga, the daughter of Ethelbert, a Christian princess, he received Paulinus with
distino-uished favour; and in the year 627 that ecclesiastic was consecrated archbishop of the
Northumbrians, his episcopal see being at York, where, as previously stated, there had been an
ecclesiastical settlement in the time of the Emperor Constantino. Edwin himself embraced the
Christian religion with his whole court ; and on Easter Sunday, in the year 627, the king and his
nobles were all baptised at York. The great body of the people followed the example of their
sovereign and his chiefs, and in one day it is alleged 10,000 persons, besides women and children,
were baptised by Paulinus in the river Swale, since designated the Northumbrian Jordan.^ Chris-
tianity now became the prevailing religion. The people of Lancashire, like those of Yorkshire,
embraced the doctrines of the Cross ; the venerable Paulinus was indefatigable in the discharge of
the duties of his mission ; and the waters of the Ribble, as well as those of the Swale, were, it is said,
resorted to for the baptism of his converts. This was not the first occasion, however, that the rays
of Christian truth had illumined the pagan darkness of this part of Britain. Though cut off from
the See of York, the diocese of the Northumbrian bishop, Lancashire, whilst an integral part of
the kingdom of Strathclyde, must necessarily have been included in the diocese of Glasgow,
where, in the time of Rydderch,' the King of Strathclyde (A.D. 573 to A.D. 601), the saintly
Kentigern, connected through his mother, Thenew, with the royal family of the Cumbrian Britons,
sat down on the banks of the Molendinar, a little stream that falls into the Clyde, hung his bell
on a tree beside the clearing in the forest to summon his savage neighbours, and planted a small
religious establishment on the spot where, centuries later, his successors reared the present
cathedral of Glasgow, that became the centre of Christian missionary effort. The diocese presided
over by Kentigern must have been co-extensive with the kingdom of Strathclyde, which, as
already stated, reached southwards to the river Dee, and included the whole of Lancashire ; and
it is recorded that when driven by persecution from his bishopric, in 543, he took refuge in Wales
with St. David, and while there founded, on the banks of the Elwy, the espiscopal See of
Llanelwy, subsequently named, in compliment to his follower and successor, St. Asaph. Kentigern
was afterwards recalled to his home, and resumed his residence at Glasgow. Jocelyn records that
when Kentigern left Carlisle, on the occasion of his banishment, he went into Wallia (Wales),
and that when he was recalled from Llanelwy by Rydderch he returned from Wallia. He was
1 The infant Prince Edwin, son of Ella. incredulity, have explained that the apostle, having baptised ten, sent
= The improbability of the story is beyond question. Had Paulinus them into the stream to baptise a hundroa, ana so multiplied his assis-
laboured from dawn to dusk-say for sixteen hours without intermission tints as the rite proceeded, while he prayed on the shore.— c.
—he must have despatched his converts at the rate of more than ton a •■> " Rodorchus Alius Tothail, qui in retra Uuaithe regnavit."
minute to complete the ten thousand, saying nothing of the additional Adamw. in V.S. Co! itmda— Skene, unron., Jr-iol. xcv.
women and children ; unless, as some writers, in their desire to disarm
CHAP. II. THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIRE. 19
contemporary with Columba, the founder of the celebrated monastery of I-colm-kill, the lona
of modern times, and it is recorded that when the Scoto-Irish monk came to see Kentigern at
his little church beside the Clyde, they interchanged their respective pastoral staves as a token
of brotherly affection. Thus the first faint glimmerings of Christian truth broke in upon the
heathen darkness of Lancashire, the work of evangelisation being carried on by missionaries of
a religious system of native growth, and devoid of the impressive aspects of Roman civilisation.
The century which saw the establishment of Christianity among the Anglo-Saxons and that
which followed it was a period of incessant warfare. The pagan princes were sometimes in the
ascendant, and at others those who had been converted held dominion ; while, not unfrequently,
rulers who had listened to Christian teachers and had been baptised, relapsed into paganism. , In
633 Edwin, king of Northumbria, the friend and patron of Paulinus, was defeated and slain in a
great battle at Heathfield — the present Hatfield, near Doncaster, in the West Riding of Yorkshire —
by his rival, Cadwalla, king of the Western Britons — the Brit-Welsh — aided by Penda, king of
Mercia. The town was destroyed, when Paulinus retired, and, accompanied by the widowed queen,
Ethelburga, and her children, made his way to the coast, took ship, and sailed for Kent. A great
slaughter was made of the Northumbrians by the Brit-Welsh Christians, who were jealous of their
rivals, and hated them with more than ordinary sacerdotal intensity. The victors swept over the
country, and burned and destroyed in their merciless greed of conquest, and the vanquished were
maddened in the anguish of a struggle for very life. After this conflict Northumbria lapsed into
its former state of paganism, and whatever glimmerings of light there might have been as the
result of the teaching of Paulinus were quickly extinguished.
Having shattered the power of Northumbria, Penda returned into Mercia to develop his
schemes of ambition, his design, apparently, being the reduction of all England. Meanwhile two
princes of the houses of Ella and Ida were raised to the throne ; Osric becoming king of Deira, in
which Lancashire was included ; and Eanfrid, the son of ^thelfrith, of Bernicia. Their reigns were
brief, and their deaths inglorious ; Cadwalla slew them both ; the twelve months of their sway
were' denominated " the unhappy year," and their names were obliterated from the Fasti of North-
umbria.' To them succeeded Oswald, a man of great piety and valour, who had received his
Christianity from Aidan, a monk of lona, on whom he afterwards bestowed the island and bishopric
of Lindisfarne, the Holy Island of the present day. Shortly after his accession, Oswald, with his
Northumbrian army, encountered the forces of Cadwalla on the plain called Heavenfield (a.d. 635),
believed to be near Hexham, a little to the south of the line of the Roman wall. In a state of
indescribable enthusiasm his army advanced against Cadwalla, routed his forces, and killed the
redoubted king himself, by which the waves of devastation were rolled back to the south. After
this victory Oswald established himself with great power on the Northumbrian throne, Deira and
Bernicia were united, and he applied himself to the Christianising and civilismg of his people. On
his invitation Aidan, with a band of Scoto-Irish monks, came from lona and settled upon the lonely
sea-washed rock, where the Abbey of Lindisfarne arose, and from whence a religious system ol
native growth, and unconnected with the Italian mission, gradually permeated through the
northern and midland districts of Britain. Northumbria hstened to the_ preaching oi these Celtic
apostles, Teutonic heathenism was subdued, and in a.d. 652 the British bishop, Fman the successor
of Aidan became the recognised head of the Northumbrian church. Numerous churches arose
and Christianity, as modified by the influence of the British character, became the prevailing creed
throughout Oswald's kingdom. . . . , • . • i •. j ■ <.i.
From that period to the present Christianity has maintained its ascendency m the
northern parts of Britain; and in 678 the south Saxons, who were the last oi the states to bow
down to idols, discarded their superstitions, and became the worshippers of the only true God.
The British churches, which the Saxons had not demolished, had fallen into decay ; but they were
now repaired, and the heathen temples were many of them converted into places of Christian
woTship^ with appropriate dedications ; and the Saxon churches in London^ York, and Manchester
were d^i'stTnguished by the names of St. Paul, St. Peter, and St. Mary The feasts of dedication
were instituted to preserve the memory of the consecration of the churches; and these annual
Sdvak which commenced in the evening preceding the celebration of the dedication, were called
chS wSs which have gradually assumed a secu?ar character, and are now ranked amongst he
viUage 7estivairof Lancashire. It must not, however, be supposed that this evangelising of the
countrv or even the baptism of so many thousands at a time, imphed that the mass of the people
£d adopted anything ^hke an intelligent Christian faith. The old monastic chroniclers may
disguise ?he trXbut up to this timi heathenism beat in the very heart of the nation. The
i Hist. Mont. S. Aug., p. 177. Bedo ill., 1.
20 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. ii.
mission despatched by Gregory, and the evangelists whom the Celtic church had sent out from
lona and from Lindisfarne, had each done a great work ; but there was a greater still to be accom-
plished, which involved the labour of centuries. In only too many instances, when the petty Saxon
states adopted Christianity, the people merely followed the example of their chiefs, copied their
ceremonial, and adopted the Saviour and the Virgin, in some vague and distorted ideal, into their
pagan demonology.
Coeval with the churches, a number of castles were also erected, or re-edified ; and it is con-
jectured that not fewer than twelve considerable ones arose south of the Ribble — Wall-ey, Wal-ton,
Child-wall, and Win-wick, Black-stone, Seph-ton, Stan-dish, and Pen-wortham,' Wig-an, Roch-dale,
Middle-ton, and Bury. These were, probably, the seats of twelve Saxon chiefs, before the institu-
tion of parishes ; and became, therefore, the seats of as many parochial churches.^ The victories of
Oswald served but to inflame the resentment of the pagan Penda, king of Mercia, who fought against
him and slew him at Maserfeld, according to the Saxon Chronicles,' or, according to the Venerable
Bede, at Maserfelth. The battle was fought on the 5th of August a.d. 642, but there is a conflict
of testimony as to the locality of the battle-field — Camden, Pennant, and Sharon- Turner fix the
site at Oswestry, in Shropshire ; Dr. Ingram, the translator of the Saxon annals, names Mirfield, in
Yorkshire ; but other authorities, with greater show of reason, give the preference to Makerfield, or
Macerfield, near Winwick, in Lancashire. The ancient chroniclers agree in representing Penda as
the assailant, and that he led his forces from Mercia. Oswestry was forty or fifty miles within
Penda's kingdom, and consequently an unlikely place in which to encounter an antagonist acting
on the defensive ; while Winwick, in the " Fee of Makerfield," was on the direct route of an enemy
marching from Mercia into Northumbria, and answers to the expression of Bede that Oswald died
"pro jiatria dimiomis." A little more than half a mile to the north of Winwick, on the rising
ground to the right of the old Roman road leading from Warrington, through Winwick and
Ashton-in-Makerfield to Golborne and Wigan, is an ancient well, still venerated by the inhabitants,
which has been known from time immemorial as " St. Oswald's Well." Tradition still points to
Bradley Hall, in the immediate locality, as occupying the site of one of OsAvald's residences, and on
the south wall of the church of Winwick, which is dedicated to St. Oswald, is a Latin inscription
that is still decipherable —
Hie locus, Oswalde, quonda placuit tibi valde
Nortanhunbroru fueras rex, uuc que polorum,
Eegna tenes, prato passua Maroelde, Tocato
Poscimus hinc a te nostri memor esto beate,
which Mr. Beamont has thus Englished : —
This place of yore did Oswald greatly love,
Northumbria's king, but now a saint above,
Who in Marcelde's field did fighting fall,
Hear us, oh, blest one, viihen here to thee we call.
An addition to the inscription sets forth that the wall was restored in 15*0. These evidences
all point to the probability that the battle in which the great Christian King of Northumbria fell
was fought at Makerfield, in Winwick parish, and not at Oswestry, as Camden and some other
writers have afiirmed. Oswald was buried in three places. Lindisfarne received his head ; his
hands were deposited at Bamborough ; and the monks of Burdency, in Lincolnshire, became the
possessors of his bones. The superstition of the times clung with marvellous tenacity about these
relics, and a blaze of miracles were believed to accompany the sacred dust.
After the battle at Maserfeld the victorious Penda advanced northwards, burning and
devastating the whole country on his line of march until he reached Bamborough, where Oswy, the
brother and sucessor of Oswald, was believed to have retired. An attempt was made to burn the
place, but the wind being unfavourable and driving the flames in the faces of the assailants, they
withdrew. Relieved of the presence of Penda, Oswy sought to hold the entire kingdom of
Northumbria, but in A.D. 644 he was compelled to admit a partner in the sovereignty an(f to cede
Deira to Oswin, a prince of the House of Ella, while he retained the other component part,
Bernicia. Determined on uniting Northumbria, Oswy collected a force for the invasion of Deira,
when Oswin, who had endeavoured to conceal himself, was betrayed and put to death by the
truculent Bernician. Meanwhile another storm was preparing to burst over his kingdom : a fresh
quarrel had arisen between Oswy and Penda, the old warrior king of Mercia. The implacable
Mercian had held sway for nearly thirty years, and carried fire and sword wherever his power
could reach; he was relentless in the pursuit of conquest; five kings had fallen under his hand,
and his people, partaking of the character of their prince, " squatted like ghouls amid the ruins of
' Domesday Book, fo. 270. ' ^ jj^ae, lib. ii., cap, 0, s. 3. Saxon Chron. a.d. 642.
^^'HAP. II. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 21
the old Romano-British villages and towns." But his day Avas drawing near its close. In the
autumn of 655 he gathered his pagan hordes for a last assault upon Christian Northumbria. Oswy
strove to avert the conflict, and delivered his youngest son Ecgfrith as a hostage into Penda's
hands, but the sacrifice was useless. Overtures for peace having failed, the Northumbrian
gathered his forces and prepared for the defence of his kingdom. The two armies met at Winwid-
heJd, when a fierce battle ensued, in which the Mercian king was slain, and Penda and paganism
fell together. The site of this battle, like that in which Oswald fell, has been disputed. Most
authorities assign the neighbourhood of Leeds. Bede says " the battle was fought near the river
Vmwed (now the Aire), which then, with the great rains, had not only filled its channel, but over-
tTt ^^u^*^ banks, so that many more were drowned in the flight than destroyed by the sword," but
Mr. Thomas Baines, in his Historical Notes on the Valley of the Mersey, contends that it was on the
banks of the stream which joins the Mersey below Winwick, and afiirms that " Penda met his death
withm two or three miles of the place at which Oswald had fallen;" but this view is dis-
countenanced by the further statement of Bede, that " King Oswy concluded the aforesaid war in
the country of Loides (Leeds)."
After the fall of Penda, Oswy overran the whole country of the Mercians, subjecting every-
thing to his dominion ; upon Peada, his son-in-law, he conferred the under kingship of the pro-
vinces lying south of the Trent, and under his fostering care Christianity spread through the
country of the middle English. The story of the conversion of Peada is full of interest, and one
that is not altogether wanting in the element of romance. Oswy had a son Alchfrid, who had
married one of king Penda's daughters, so that the two royal though rival houses were linked by
marriage. The young princess's brother, Peada, visited the Northumbrian court for the purpose
of_ soliciting the hand of Oswy's daughter Alchfleda. He was received with kindness, and the
princess promised to him on the condition of his renouncing paganism. Alchfrid undertook to
explain the hopes and truths of the Gospel, and his persuasion won Peada over to Christianity.
He and his attendants were baptised by Finan, the successor of Aidan in the see of Lindisfarne,
and on his return with his bride to his own kingdom, he took with him Diuma, a Scot, who was
consecrated by Finan, and three other presbyters of the same church, to instruct and baptise his
people. Diuma, who was the first bishop of the Mercians or Middle Angles, came direct from
lona and took up his abode at Repton, near Derby, the then capital of Mercia, his diocese being
co-extensive with that kingdom. Thus was founded the church of the Middle Angles, and thus
commenced that long and unbroken episcopal line which, since the days of St. Chad, when the
seat was transferred from Repton — eleven years after Diuma's death — has had its chief centre in
the old city of Lichfield, and until the erection of the separate see of Chester, in the reign of
Henry VIII., included within its spiritual supervision the greater portion of South Lancashire.
For some years, the people of Lancashire, with the rest of their fellow-subjects of the kingdom of
Deira, had been in a state of constant hostility with their ancient allies and neighbours, the people
of Bernicia; but under the rule of Oswy their differences were reconciled, and they united in
allegiance to one sovereign. It was not, however, until the reign of Oswy's successor, Ecgfrith,
(a.d. 670-685) that the portion of Lancashire north of the Ribble which had been included m the
Cumbrian portion of Strathclyde became absorbed in the Northumbrian kingdom. " The Welsh
states across the western moors," says Mr. J. R. Green, "had owned, at least from Oswald's
time, the Northumbrian supremacy, but little actual advance had been made by the English
in this quarter since the victory of Chester (607), and northward of the Ribble the land between
the moors and the sea still formed a part of the British kingdom of Cumbria. It was from this
tract of what we now know as Northern Lancashire and the Lake District Ecgfrith's armies
chased the Britons in the early years of his reign."^
A new era was now opening in the ecclesiastical history of this province, the effects of which
were to be felt through a long series of ages, and to influence in no small degree the future interests
of the nation. Monastic institutions began to prevail in Northumbria about the middle of the
seventh century, under the fostering hand of that distinguished prelate Wilfrid, sole bishop of
Northumberland ; and in a few years a number of such houses sprang up in Lancashire and other
parts of the province. The practice of introducing relics into the churches belongs also to this age,
and innumerable were the pilgrimages made to Rome and to the venerable places which had been
hallowed by the blood of the martyrs, to collect the remains of the saints. By the constitution of
the western churches, the pope was invested with a patriarchal authority over them ; but the
Britons had never acknowledged the pontifical jurisdiction. Theodore, the archbishop of Canter-
bury, having long seen the necessity for afibrding to the people some more extensive means of
The Making of England.
22 THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. u.
religious instruction than they at that time possessed, and for dividing such of the bishoprics as
were too large for the proper discharge of the episcopal duties, recommended to the king to convene
a synod in 673, at which Ecgfrith and his Saxon barons were present. By this synod or assembly,
which met at Hertford, it was provided, by a unanimous decision, that as the number of Christians
was daily increasing, new sees should be erected; and, as if in anticipation of some formidable
opposition, a declaration was appended to the decrees, to the effect that whoever presumed to violate
them should be degraded of his sacerdotal ofEce and excommunicated.^ In virtue of these canons,
the bishopric of the East Angles was divided into two, and the dominions of the Mercians which
lay beyond the Severn were assigned to the new see of Hereford. Wilfrid still remained the sole
bishop amongst the Northumbrians, and his diocese reached from the Firth of Forth to the
Humber, on the east of the kingdom, and from the Firth of Clyde to the Mersey, on the west. No
prelate in these early days had aggrandised the church so much as Wilfrid. With influence almost
unbounded in all parts of the kingdom, and amongst all the upper classes, from the greatest to the
humblest of the Saxon barons, he was enabled to procure manors and lordships for the erection
and endowments of churches ; and in his time the precedent was first established of alienating the
demesnes of the crown to augment the revenues of the church. Wilfrid was munificent and osten-
tatious, affable and accomplished, ambitious and intractable, pious but proud. By one of the
decrees of the synod, it was directed that the bishopric of this prelate should be divided into two,
Deira and Bernicia, of which York was to be the capital of one, and Hexham of the other. The
haughty spirit of the prelate was wounded by this partition, which he did not hesitate to designate
as an unjust spoliation. After in vain attempting to induce the king and the Archbishop of
Canterbury to repeal the synod's decision, Wilfrid appealed to the pope in person, and his holiness,
conceiving this a fit opportunity for establishing his patriarchal power in Britain, set aside the
sentence of the English archbishop, and decreed the restoration of Wilfrid to the whole of his
former bishopric, but the mandate was rejected by a convocation of all the English bishops ;
Wilfrid Avas deprived, his property confiscated, and his person committed to prison. After a
contest of twenty-seven years, he was reinstated in the see of Hexham, but the Saxon bishops
refused to admit the authority of the Roman pontiff in any affairs relating to the British
churches, though, when the angry passions excited by this controversy had subsided, the
pontifical claim was again advanced. Although the Britons had lived securely in Furness,
relying upon the fortifications with which nature had guarded them, nothing proved impregnable
to the Saxon conquerors ; for it appears that in the early part of the reign of Ecgfrith, king of
Northumberland, that monarch "gave St. Cuthbert the land called Carthmell (the present
Cartmel), and all the Britons in it," ' which, if the statement is correct, would most likely be in
the year 685, when Ecgfrith caused Cuthbert to be created a bishop.' Bede, or Beda, a native
of the kingdom of Northumbria, died in 734, after a life of unparalleled literary labour.
This venerable ecclesiastic, who was born in the year 672,* ranks the first in the number of early
British historians, though his works are marred by legendary tales, which serve to show that his
mind was not free from the superstitions which for so many ages afterwards prevailed in the
county of Lancaster, to an extent scarcely equalled in any other part of the kmgdom. In the
time of Bede, but in Avhat exact year is not ascertained, the ecclesiastical divisions of
parishes were first established, and before the middle of the seventh century, and within
twenty-five years from the conversion of the Saxon inhabitants of Northumbria to the Christian
faith, churches were erected in the various districts of this country, to which ministers were
appointed by the respective founders to dispense the ordinances of religion.
The Saxon heptarchy was now drawing towards its termination. Ambition agitated all parts
of the country by its conflicts, and the face of nature seemed to sympathise with the general
disorder. Dreadful forewarnings came over Lancashire and the other parts of the land of the
Northumbrians,' which excited general terror amongst the people. Storms were soon followed by
" a great famine ; and not long after, on the sixth day before the ides of January (793), the
harrowing of heathen-men (the Danes) made lamentable havock in the Church of God." " In the
year 799," adds the Saxon Chronicle, " a severe battle was fought in the Northumbrian territory
during Lent, on the fourth day before the nones of April, at Whalley ; wherein Alric, the son of
Herbert, was slain, and many others with him." This is the first time in which the parish of Whalley
is mentioned in civil history. Simeon of Durham writes : " A league or confederacy was made
I Bede, lib. iv. c. 5. (Llndisfarno). Then rowed the king himself, Ecgfridus, to the island
Camden a Unt. voL in. p. 380. (Fame), and Bishop Trumwine, with other pious men, and thev much
Ti- ^ ^uJ'.i.^ V ^^TSS °i ^'■"'^'""i) an assembly was holden, and besought the saint, bent their knees, and begged with tears, until thev
icgtnth sat therein, and Theodores, archbishop of this island, with many drew him weeping from the solitude to the synod together with them
other noble counsellors, and they aU unanimously chose the blessed (Bibl. Bodl. MSS., Bodley, 340, Hom. in Nat. B. Archb. f. 64.) '
Cuthbert as bishop. Then they quicldy sent a writ with a message to * At Wearmouth, in tlie bishopric of Durham,
the blessed man, but they could not bring him from his minster » Saxon Chron. a.d. 793.
CHAP. 11. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 23
by the murderers of King Ethelred. Wada, leader in that league, went with his forces to fight
against Eardulph, the Idng, in a place called by the English Billangahoh, near Whalley, and many
were slain on both sides; and Wada, the leader, fled with his troops."^
_ Although we possess but little information respecting the details of this conflict, or of the
political complications out of which it arose, there is little difficulty in fixing the locality of the
struggle. " The site assigned to it," says Mr. Hardwick, " has never been doubted. The names
recordedby the old chroniclers are still extant in the locality, with such orthographic or phonetic
changes in their descent from the eighth to the nineteenth century as philologists would anticipate.
The Hwelleage of the Anglo-Saxon Chronicle, as well as the monk of Durham's mediaeval Latin
Walalega, are_ identical with the present Whalley; while Billangahoh is represented by its
descendants Billinge, Billington, and Langho. Archseological remains have likewise contributed
important evidence. Three large tumuli for centuries have marked the scene of the struggle, one
of which, near to Langho, has been removed, and the remains of a buried warrior exhumed.
According to J. M. Kemble, and other Anglo-Saxon scholars, Billington signifies the homestead or
settlement of the sept or clan of the Billings, as Birmingham is that of the Beormings. This rule
likewise applies to many other localities where the local nomenclature presents similar features.
Consequently, from legitimate analogy, we learn that Waddington, on the right bank of the Ribble,
opposite Clitheroe, is the homestead, town, or settlement of Wadda (the chief of the conspiracy
against Eardulf ) and his dependents ; and Waddow, in its immediate neighbourhood, the how or
hill of Wadda."" Canon Raines mentions that in 183t) a large mound near the Ribble was removed
when a Idst-vaen was discovered, formed of rude stones, and containing human bones, and the
rusty remains of some spear heads of iron. Mr. Abram, the historian of Blackburn, also made an
examination in 1876, but with only negative results. He, however, inclines to the belief that the
battle was fought on the line of the Roman road which leads from the Wyre by way of Preston to
Ribchester, and crossing the Calder a little above the junction with the Ribble, continues in the
direction of Clitheroe, and to the north of Pendle Hill into Yorkshire. "Eardulf," he says,
"encountered the insurgent army on the extreme verge of his kingdom (for it seems certain that
the south side of the Ribble was then a part, not of the Saxon kingdom of Northumbria, but of that
of Mercia). Wadda and his army had probably been driven upon the neutral territory before the
decisive battle could be forced upon him."
Ecgbert, the son of Alckmund, king of Wessex (a.d. 800), having mounted the throne of his
ancestors, penetrated successively into Devonshire and Cornwall, and ravaged the country from east
to west. After the conquest of Mercia, Ecgbert marched against Eanred, king of the Northumbrians;
but this prince, feeling that resistance was hopeless, acknowledged his superiority, and the whole
Anglo-Saxon heptarchy merged in the kingdom of Wessex, under the sway of Ecgbert, and thus
was accomplished that consolidation of authority which justified him in taking the title of king ol
England, though a large portion of the country over which his authority extended was merely a
kind of nominal " overlordship," which carried very little governing influence. Before Ecgbert
ascended the throne, the Northmen had commenced their attacks upon Britain ; and so early as
787 a small expedition, in three piratical galleys, landed in Dorsetshire. The invaders were
principally, though not exclusively, from the promontory of Denmark, the Gambrica Ghersonesus
of Tacitus. In 794 a more formidable armament e'ffected a landing in Britain, and spread
devastation amongst the Northumbrians, plundering the monastery of King Everth, at the entrance
to the Wear. The resistance made to the invaders was so determined that some of their leaders
were slain ; several of their ships were shattered by the violence of a storm ; and such of them
as escaped the fury of the waves fell by the sword. The following year Eardulf, the viceroy
or king of Northumbria, ascended the throne, and was consecrated in the capital of York.^ In A.p.
800 Northumbria was again subjected to a Danish visitation, and the immediate cause of this
invasion is said to have been this : Osbert, the viceroy of Ethelred, having violated the wife of the
Earl Bruen Bocard, the latter invited Godericke, the king of Denmark, to take possession of the
country. Godericke received this invitation with great alacrity, and despatched a strong armament
to Britain. On their arrival in Northumbria, on the coast of Holderness, the Danes fell upon the
inhabitants with the utmost fury, andmassacred all before them, without regard to age, sex, or condition.
Marching on to York, they took possession of that city, and slew Osbert, the tyrant, by whose lust
his country had been involved in so much ruin. Emboldened by their success in the north, they
I Dr Whitaker suDBOses Billange, or Billinge, to have been at that no remains, unless a large tumulus near Hacking Hall, and in the imme "
time the namrof the wholl ridge, extending from the mountain near diate vicinity of Langho, be supposed to cover the remains of Alrlc, or
sSokb^ n"w bearinrthat appdlation, to Whalley. Billangaton will, some other chieftain amongst th. slain.-ffistory of WMUj. book .. cap,
on that supposition, be the orthography of BUlington, and Billangahoh, ill. p. SO. Ed 1872. „„„.i,f„ „„ ^m i
or the low hm by Billinge, will leave after cutting off the first syllable ^ Ancient Battlefields m I-itnonshire, pp. 1S3-4,
the modem village of Langho. Of this great battle there arc, however, » Sas- Chron,
24 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. ii.
advanced into Norfolk, and demanded of Edmund, the king of the West Saxons, that he should
surrender his throne. With this insolent summons he refused to comply ; on which a bloody battle
ensued, at Thetford, which ended in the overthrow of the Saxons, and in the execution of their
king, who, because he would not abjure the Christian faith for the errors of paganism, was bound to
a stake, and shot by the arrows of the Danish invaders. ^
The situation of Lancashire, and of the other parts of Northumbria, must now have been
most deplorable : for forty years the war raged amongst them with remorseless atrocity and varying
success, ^lla, the governor, like Osbert, fell by the sword, when Inguar, the presumed son of
Raynar Lodbrok, ascended the throne, and the Danes remained masters of the situation, .^thelred
for a while kept the field, but at length his life and his power fell before the superior discipline of
the Teutonic invaders. The Danes, in the fury of their warfare, laid waste every town and place
that resisted their sway ; but their especial fury was directed against religious houses. The exactions
they made upon the impoverished people, advanced from £10,000 to £40,000 a year, which sum in
those days was considered of enormous amount. Lancashire, and, no doubt, other parts of the
island, were in a.d. 869 visited by one of the most dreadful calamities to which mankind are sub-
ject — a severe famine, and. its inevitable consequence, a mortality of cattle and of the human race.^
Agriculture was but imperfectly understood, and almost every district of the same kingdom was
left to depend upon its own precarious resources. The contest between the Anglo-Saxons and the
Danes, in this and the neighbouring counties, had withdrawn the husbandman from his employ-
ment ; and, having neglected to sow, of course he had nothing to reap. The consequence was, that
not only many parts of these fair regions mourned in want, but they were absolutely depopulated.
Merciless and slow-consuming famine devoured its wretched victims, and the small share which
might have fallen to the native inhabitants was consumed by the ruthless Danes, who, from their
principal station in York, spread like swarms of locusts across the island, from sea to sea. In the
year 876 Halfden, one of the sons of the mythical hero Raynar Lodbrok, according to the Saxon
Chronicle, " appropriated the lands of Northumbria, and they thenceforth continued ploughing and
tilling them." From which it may be assumed that the newcomers had settled down more as
emigrants than roving pirates, though always ready to exchange the ploughshare for the sword in
the prospect of a successful foray on the lands of their Anglo-Saxon neighbours. Both Northumbria
and East Anglia had now fallen under the sanguinary sword of the Danish invaders, who began to
aspire to the conquest of the whole island. Mercia next became the object of their attack, and
Ethelred, king of Wessex, fell in a battle fought with the invaders at Merton. Alfred was now
advanced to the throne of Wessex; but within a month of his elevation, he was attacked and
defeated at Wilton (a.d. 871)." A new swarm of Danes soon after landed, under three of their
princes, Guthrum, Oscitel, and Amund, and proceeded into Northumbria, the favourite seat of their
power. The husbandmen became the slaves of the invaders, and the thanes were made subservient
to their purposes of avarice and aggrandisement. The noble spirit of Alfred bent beneath the storm,
and, finding no security upon the throne, he withdrew from his elevated station, and took up his
residence in an obscure part of the kingdom, as guest in the family of a swineherd, where occurred
the incident of his letting the cakes burn. The hospitable rustic, notwithstanding the asperity of
his wife's temper, obtained the favour of the king. By his advice he applied himself to learning ;
and Alfred, on his return to power, acknowledged the obligation he had received, by elevating his
host from the shepherd's crook to the bishop's crozier, and afterwards made him bishop of Win-
chester.^ The humiliation of Alfred disciplined his temper, purified his heart, and served to
enlighten his already profound understanding. His measures to regain his throne, and to surround
it with its only impregnable bulwark, the love and confidence of the people, were judicious and
exemplary. An auspicious incident at this juncture occurred to fortify his courage, for having, in
the assumed character of a minstrel, observed the conduct of the Danes in their encampments, he
suddenly assembled a strong force, and inflicted a signal overthrow upon the invaders, at Eddington,
near Westbury (a.d. 878), where the Danes were encamped. With a generosity equal to his
bravery, he gave them their lives, on the condition that they should, through their leader Guthrum,
exchange paganism for Christianity. The peace of Wedmore followed— Alfred and Guthrum's
peace, as it was called— when Guthrum was baptised by the name of ^thelstan, and the people
became gradually one— Guthrum being permitted, with his followers, to colonise East Anglia, on his
acknowledging Alfred as his over-lord, and the Northumbrians were afterwards put under his rule.
The sovereignty of Mercia, on the defeat of the Danes, fell into the power of Alfred, and, without
avowedly incorporating it with Wessex, he discontinued its regal honours, and constituted Ethelred
> The Danes, like the original Saxons, were idolaters ; their principal " Saxon Chron. a.d. 871.
god was Thor, and to him they offered human sacrifices. « Malmsb. p. 242,
2 ^ser, 20,
f^HAP. 11. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
25
Ills military commander, to whom he afterwards married his davighter Ethelfleda To fortify his
kingdom against hostile attacks, he rebuilt the cities and castles which had been destroyed by the
invaders ; but his principal care was to construct a navy for the protection of the coast and he has
ever been considered as the founder of the English marine. In Northumbria the Danes continued
to govern till towards the close of Alfred's reign, when Anarawd abandoned his power in that kino'-
dom, and besought the friendship of Alfred. The king received him hospitably; and, to confirm
the good intentions that he had formed in favour of the Christian faith, he became his sponsor in
baptism, and his friend in all the relations of life. The state of learning in Lancashire, in the ninth
century, maybe inferred from Alfred's own declaration— " When I took the kingdom," said he,
" there were very few on the south side of the Humber, the most improved part of England, who
could understand their daily prayers in English, or translate a letter from the Latin. I think there
were not many beyond the Humber ; they were so few, that I cannot indeed recollect one sino-le
instance on the south of the Thames, when I took the kingdom."' The encouragement given^to
learning by this enlightened and benevolent monarch was highly exemplary ; he instituted schools
for the instruction of his nobles in reading and writing, much after the model of the Lancasterian
schools of more recent times. The invasion of the Danes, and their predatory depredations, particu-
larly in the county of Lancaster, and the other parts of the kingdom of Northumbria, had almost
destroyed the ancient police of the kingdom. To remedy this disorganised state of society, Alfred
changed the ancient provisional divisions of England into counties, and the distribution of these
into hundreds, which were again subdivided into tenths or tithings. Under these divisions the
population of the country has been ever since arranged ; and every person was directed to belong
to some hundred or tithing (tenth), while every hundred and tithing became pledged to the preser-
vation of the public peace and security in their district, and were made answerable for the conduct
of their several inhabitants. In consequence of this arrangement, every criminal accused was sure
to be apprehended ; and it may be supposed that in this part of the kingdom the number of the
lawless was at first very large.
In the division of Britain into counties, the south-western portion of the Brigantine territory of
the Romans, and of the Northumbrian kingdom of the Saxons, was named Loncasterscyre or
Lonceshire, from the capital of Loncaster, the castle on the Lone or Lune. South Lancashire, then
included in Cestrescire or Cheshire, was divided into six hundreds — Derby, Newton, Walton,
Blackburn, Sal-ford, and Leyland — since reduced to four by the annexation of Newton and
Warrington to West Derby. The designation of each of these hundreds was derived from the
principal place in the division, in the reign of Alfred ; and those names now serve to indicate the
mutations to which places as well as persons are exposed. Of the names of the Lancashire tithings
we have no distinct remains ; but the nearest approximation to them may be found in each ten of
our modern townships. Hitherto the administration of justice was confided to a species of pro-
visional prefects, but in the time of Alfred the functions of these ofiicers were divided into those of
judges and sheriffs. The institution of juries belongs to the same period ; and so tenacious was
Alfred of the faithful discharge of the judicial office in penal judgments, that he caused forty-four
justices to be executed as murderers, because they had exceeded their duty, and condemned to
death unjustly the persons they judged.^ Alfred compiled a code of laws (the DoM-Boc), which he
enlarged with his own hand. Amongst his other legal institutions, it is perfectly clear that he had
none corresponding with our Court of Chancery, since it appears that he hastened the decision of
causes, and allowed no delay exceeding fifteen days." Death deprived the world of this great
monarch in A.D. 900 at the age of fifty-two years. He was a pattern for kings in the time of
extremity — a bright star in the history of mankind. Living a century after Charlemagne, he was,
perhaps, a greater man, in a circle happily more limited.''
In the century which succeeded the death of Alfred, there is little to relieve the contests of
ambition which so generally prevailed. Lancashire and the whole Northumbrian territory had, by
the clemency of Alfred, become a species of Danish colony. There the resident Danes concocted
their schemes of ambition and aggression against the Saxon power ; and upon the shores of Yorkshire
and Lancashire fresh swarms of invaders effected their landing, and found succour and support.
Edward the Elder succeeded to the power of his father ; but his title was disputed by Ethelwald,
son of King Ethelbert, who established his head-quarters in York, and was joined by the
Northumbrians in his rebellion. The insurgents, quitting their stronghold in the north, marched
into Kent, where a sanguinary battle ensued, and Ethelwald fell in the action, when his followers
sought their safety in flight. Unsubdued, though vanquished, the Northumbrians penetrated again
into Wessex, where they were again defeated, and pursued with great slaughter into their own
1 Alfred's Preface, p. 83. = Mirroir do8 Justices, cap. ii. sec. 3. ^ Mirroir, p. 245. ' Herder's Outlines, p. 245.
5
26 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. ii.
country. Following up his successes, Edward subdued the two next princes of Northumberland,
Reginald and Sidoc, and acquired the dominion of that province. In his wars between the Mersey
and the Humber the king was assisted by his sister Ethelfleda, the widow of Ethelbert, Earl of
Mercia, who, after her husband's death, had retained the possession of the government of that
province. This princess is extolled by the early British historians as the wisest lady in Britain,
the very emblem of her illustrious father Alfred. She appears to have been a ruler of the
Amazonian type, who defended her country against the Danes "with the bravery and fidelity of an
experienced warrior," and earned the eulogium of Henry of Huntington — " Csesar merited triumph,
but thou art more illustrious than Csesar." To her munificence the Mercians were indebted for the
rebuilding of the city of Chester, while her royal brother built the ancient city of Thelwall, on the
southern bank of the Mersey, and placed a garrison there.' The more effectually to maintain his
dominion over the province of Northumbria the king collected an army in Mercia, which he ordered
to march to Manchester, which place he repaired and garrisoned.'
In the excess of antiquarian disputation, a controversy has arisen, whether, in the era of the
Saxon heptarchy, the country between the Mersey and the Ribble, comprehending the southern
part of Lancashire, was included in the kingdom of Northumbria ; and Dr. Whitaker maintains
that this district, under the heptarchy, formed a portion not of Northumbria but of Mercia. To
this assertion are opposed the generally-received opinion that the kingdom of Mercia was terminated
on its north-western boundary by the river Mersey, and the positive fact that in the Saxon
Chronicle, the highest existing authority perhaps upon this subject, Manchester is said to be in
Northumbria. The passage is conclusive upon this pomt : " This year (a.d. 923) went King Edward
with an army, late in the harvest, to Thelwall, and ordered the borough to be repaired, and
inhabited, and manned. And he ordered another army also from the population of Mercia, the
while he sat there, to go to Manchester, in Northumbria, to repair and to man it." The country
now denominated Lancashire had no separate existence as a county until long after the time when
the others were formed, and it was then made up by adding a portion of Yorkshire and a scrap of
Westmorland to the district lying between the Ribble and the Mersey, which had previously been
included in Cestrescire and it is not unlikely that the low-lying lands on the western side of the
shire were during the Anglo-Saxon and Danish period governed by tributary chiefs — resembling the
Lords-Marchers of Wales of later date — sometimes under Northumbria and sometimes under
Mercia, as the changing fortunes of war gave one power or the other the dominancy.
The ascendency of the Danish power in Northumbria, owing to their colonisation in that
kingdom by Alfred, subjected this part of Britain to a frequent recurrence of the horrors of war
when all the other parts of the island were at peace. On the accession in 925 of ^thelstan, the son
of Edward the Elder, and grandson of the renowned Alfred, Sihtric, the Danish ruler of Bernicia,
who a few years previously had assassinated his brother Niel, the sovereign of Deira, and seizing
his country had made himself king of all Northumbria, acknowledged his supremacy or overlordship
and solicited the hand of his sister Eadgetha in marriage. " They came together," says the Saxon
Chronicle, " at Tam worth, on the 3rd before the kalends of February, and ^thelstan gave him his
sister." As a condition precedent the Dane embraced Christianity ; and thus were supposed to be
united the Anglo-Saxon and Scandinavian kings. But the alliance was soon dissolved. Sihtric
relapsed into paganism, repudiated his wife, and while JEthelstan was preparing to aveno'e the
wron^, died, or, as is more likely, was murdered. His sons by a former marriage, Guthfric and
Anlaf fled, the one into Scotland and the other into Ireland, where the Danes had established their
authority. ..Ethelstan led an army into their country, and quickly annexed the Northumbrian kmo-dom
to his dominions. The Anglo-Saxon Chronicle gives a pithy summary of the events of this year r926).
" And Sihtric perished ; and king ^thelstan obtained the kingdom of the North-humbrians : and
he ruled all the kings who were on this island :— First, Howel, king of the West Welsh (the people
of Cornwall) ; Constantine, the king of the Scots ; Uwen (Owain), king of the Gwentian people (the
people of Gwent or Monmouthshire); and Ealdred, son of Ealdulf, of Bamborough • and they
confirmed the peace by pledge, and by oaths, at the place called Eamot on the 4th of the Ides of
July, and then renounced all idolatry, and after that submitted to him in peace." Guthfric
returned the next year in arms to claim the Northumbrian kingdom, but was defeated by
^thelstan, and, making his submission, was received with kindness. The power which ^thelstan
had thus won by the sword he retained in peace for about ten years, when a league was formed by
the Scots, the Cumbrian Britons, and the Welsh, with the object of placing Anlaf, the son of Sihtric
on the Northumbrian throne, and in a short time the whole of the north was in revolt. In order
to extinguish the spirit of rebellion, and to give security to his throne, ^thelstan marched into
Saxon Chron. a.d. 923.
^^^- ^i- THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 27
Scotland, ravaged Caithness, and recrossing the border into Northumbria gained a signal victory at
iiumanburh (a.d 934), by which the confederacy against the Saxon power wis completely
overthrown, when he reunited Northumbria to the rest of his kingdom, and in that way acquired
tne title ot the hrst English monarch, thus eclipsing the fame of Alfred, who had suffered the
fanes to dmde the kingdom with him by apportioning to them Northumbria and East Anglia.' It
is somewhat remarkable that so little should be known respecting the decisive conflict at
crunanburh— the most important in its political and social results of any fought during the Anglo-
baxon period, and " the bloodiest fight that this island ever saw." The date even is uncertain, and a
bewildermg confusion exists as to the actual site. The Saxon song says it was at Brunanburh ;
^.tJielweard, a contemporary, names the place Brunandune ; and Simeon of Durham, Weondune.
ingulph says Brunlord, and Camden names Ford, near Bromeridge, in Northumberland. Mr.
Molderness argues with much show of reason that the site is at Kirkburn, a village three miles
T^tT"*^^! Drittield, near where the highway runs through a township with the suggestive name
ot Battleburn, and Mr. Hardwick, in his "Ancient Battlefields of Lancashire," believes that he has
discovered the key that may unlock the mystery in the extraordinary discovery of buried treasure
m Cuerdale, on the banks of the Ribble, in 1840. This " find " consisted of a leaden chest,
contaimng ancient coins and treasure to the amount of 975 oz. of silver in ingots, rings, armlets,
chains, and, besides, about 7,000 coins of various descriptions, dating from 815 to 930 ; and he argues
that " this great chest was buried near the ' pass of the Ribble,' at Cuerdale, opposite Preston,
during this troubled period, and probably on the retreat of the confederated Irish, Scotch, Welsh,
J^andmavian, and Anglo-Danish armies, after their disastrous defeat by the English under
^thelstan, at the great battle of Brunanburh, in 937." Tradition, which almost invariably has a
substratum of truth underlying it, has always pointed to this ford over the Ribble as the scene of an
early conflict. It is very nearly where the line of the great Roman road from the north is
crossed by the Watlmg Street from the Wyre, running by Preston to York, and Avould thus be
equally on the line of march of the Scots coming from the north, the Irish journeying from the
west, and the armies of ^thelstan advancing either from Mercia or Northumbria, whilst the date of
the greater portion of the coins coincides very nearly with that of Jithelstan's victory. It is very
evident that the chest was buried after some signal military disaster, to prevent its falling into the
hands of the enemy, and we have no record of any great military event at this time except the
battle of Brunanburh, the slaughter at which left ^thelstan at peace for some years, ^thelstan
among other laws enacted (a.d. 935) that any merchant who should make three voyages over the
sea with his own manufactures, should have the rank of a thane,= that is, should rank with the
privileged orders. By this means encouragement was given t-o manufactures and to commerce at
the same time ; and that agriculture might receive its share ot the royal favour, any ceorl who had
five hides of his own land, a church, a kitchen, a bell-house, and a separate office in the king's hall,
also became a thane.
The Anglo-Danish Northumbrians, still impatient of the Saxon rule, broke out again into
rebellion, in the reign of Edmund, the successor of iEthelstan, and chose Anlaf, who had returned
from Ireland, as their king.^ Anlaf, who had been aided by Wulfstan, archbishop of York, being
victorious, concluded a treaty with Edmund, by which England was partitioned, and all the
country north of Watling Street abandoned to the Anglo-Danes. But shortly after, the capricious
Northmen rose in revolt against their prince, when Edmund marched suddenly into the southern
part of Northumbria (Lancashire and Yorkshire), and again subjected the country to his dominion,
when, to appease his indignation and to conciliate his confidence, the chiefs offered to embrace the
Christian religion, and abandon their idolatry.
From the middle to the end of the tenth century the Anglo-Saxon Chronicles are almost
entirely occupied by the wars in Northumbria and the changes in the monastic orders, which were
then taking place under the influence of the ambitious Dunstan, abbot of Glastonbury. Under the
auspices of Dunstan, the Benedictine rule was introduced into nearly fifty monasteries south of the
Trent; but, notwithstanding Wilfrid's endeavours in former times, and Dunstan's energies and
activity in the present day, there was not before the Norman conquest a single monk in all the
Northumbrian territory.^ The tribute of Danegeld, a tax upon the people to repel the ravages
of the Danes, was imposed for the first time in the year 991, and Avas at first of the amount of
£10,000.^ All the land in the county contributed to this impost by a rateable assessment, except
the lands of the church, which were exempt on account of the efiicacy of the prayers of the clergy,
' "The truth seems to be," says Sharon Turner, "that Alfred was ' Wilkin's Leges Anglo-Sax, p. 71.
the first monarch of the Anglo-Saxons, but jEthelstan was the first " Saxon Chron. a.d. 941.
monaroh of Er.gland. . . . After the battle of Brunanburh /Ethelstan * Sim. Dunelm. a.d. 1074.
had no competitor : he Was the immediate sovereign of all England. He * Saxon Chron. a.d. 991.
was even nominal lord of Wales and Scotland." — C.
28 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. ii.
whicli were supposed to form an equivalent for their contributions. "The payment of Danegeld
was first ordained on account of the pirates ; for in their ravages of our country they did all they
could to desolate it. To check their insolence, Danegeld was levied annually, 12d. on every hide
throughout the country, to hire men to oppose the pirates. From this tax every church, and every
estate held in property by the church, wheresoever it lay, was exempted, contributing nothing
towards this payment, because more dependence was placed on the prayers of the church than on
the defence of arms."' The produce of this tax, which was at first employed in resisting the Danes,
was afterwards used to purchase their forbearance. Their irruptions and exactions became
continually more oppressive, and in the year 1010 the base expedient was resorted to of purchasing
peace from them by the payment of £48,000.
It is remarkable that in the whole of the Saxon Chronicles the term " Lancashire " never once
occurs, though the neighbouring counties in the kingdom of Northumbria are mentioned in those
ancient annals several times. It is also remarkable that the name of Lancashire is not to be found
in the Domesday Book of William the Conqueror, though the manors and lands are described in
that imperishable record with the usual accuracy and precision.^
The long and inglorious reign of Jithelred was perpetually distracted by the invasions of the
Danes, first under Sweyn and afterwards under Cnut, his son and successor ; and in the reign of
Edmond Ironside the king was obliged to surrender up one-half his kingdom, by awarding to
Cnut, Mercia, East Anglia, and Northumbria, which he had entirely subdued. The unfortunate
Edmond survived the treaty by which his kingdom was dismembered only a month, having been
murdered at Oxford by two of his chamberlains (a.d. 1016); and in this way the succession of
Cnut the Dane to the throne of England was secured.
In order to gratify the ambition of the chief of the English nobility, and to attach them to his
interest, Cnut created Thurkill earl or viceroy of East Anglia, and Edric earl of Mercia, and
having caused Uhtred, earl of Northumbria, who had been an ally of Edmond Ironside to be
assassinated, he bestowed that earldom on the Norwegian Jarl, Eric, whom he afterwards employed
to murder Edric, reserving to himself only the government of Wessex. But this power of the earls
Avas of short duration; Thurkill and Eric were in 1021 expelled from the kingdom, and Cnut
became sole monarch of England. Finding himself firmly seated on his throne, he restored the
Saxoncustoms, to which the people were attached, in a general assembly of the states ; justice was
administered with impartiality ; the lives and property of all the people were protected, and the
Danes were gradually incorporated with his subjects. Cnut, though cruel, crafty, and treacherous,
was the greatest sovereign of his age, and had the fame to reign over six kingdoms.' The impression
of his character left upon the English mind is not altogether that of a barbarous conqueror. He came
with a powerful will to make a foreign domination endurable by a show of impartiality, and to
substitute the strength of despotism for the feebleness of anarchy. When he ceased to be an enemy
to England he became a real friend. His power was too strong to be disputed, and he therefore
wielded it with moderation when the contest for supremacy Avas over. The closest connection
subsisted betAveen Northumbria and Scotland in the reign of Cnut, and even Cumberland atos
subject to the Scotch king. This division of his kingdom Avas inconsistent Avith the policy of
Cnut, who, after marching through Lancashire at the head of a formidable army, took possession
of Cumberland, and placed Duncan, the grandson of Malcolm, in possession of that province, subject
to the throne of England.
Cnut, by a treaty with Richard, duke of Normandy (a.d. 1035), had stipulated that his
children by Emma, the sister of that prince, should succeed to the throne of England ; but,
in violation of that engagement, he appointed his illegitimate son by Elfgiva, the son of a
shoemaker, as the scandal of those times assumes— Harold, surnamed Harefoot for his speed, as
his successor, instead of Harthcnut, the son of that princess. A short and disturbed reign was
terminated m 1030, by the succession of Hardicanute who appointed Siward, duke of Northumbria,
along with Godwme, Earl of Wessex, and Leofric, Earl of Mercia, to put down the insurrection
Avhich prevailed against his government. Edward the Confessor, the son of ^thelred, of the house
of Cerdic and the Imeal descendant of the Saxon kings, succeeded to the throne in 1041 to the
prejudice of Sweyn, king of Norway, the eldest son of Cnut. The English flattered themselves
that, by the succession ol EdAvard, they were delivered for ever from the dominion of the Danes,
and their rejoicings Avere unbounded; but the court was soon filled Avith Normans, to the prejudice
2 m!^t?°' ?■ ita I ,, ,- , It is truo there was a Lan-oastro-soire in Saxon times, but the name
kingdom o?NSumhHa''hvwL°F K'-^^.'^r/' ii "''' 'i'"«'o°of the was given to designate tlie tract ot country that spread roundSe
fhpfn n ™i„ f^f V™™,*'"?'' by King Ecgbcrt, into shires or eounties, and town of Lancaster, wliere the Saxon ohiofs wore seated after the Roman
JilfJf^f ° hundreds, wapentakes, or ridings ; but the statement is power had passed away, and not to the present county • the lareer
exceedingly inaccurate and witliout authority. The Lancashire, .as parishes as well as the' hundreds, at the time, being not unfregueiX
we know It at the present day, as rrevionsly stated, had no separate denominated " Sliircs."-C ** unircqueimj
existence as a county until after the time when tbo other* vm-e formed. = Saxo, 196.
CHAP. II. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 29
of the Anglo-Saxon nobility, and the language and the fashions of France were very generally
introduced. This circumstance gave great offence to the native nobles, who, with Godwine at their
head, supported by his three sons, Gurth, Sweyn, and Tostig, rose in rebellion against the king On
the death of Earl Godwine (a.d. 1035), one of the most powerful nobles of his time, his son Harold
aspired to the English throne, and was joined by Macbeth, an ambitious Scotch nobleman, who had
put to death his sovereign, Duncan, King of Scotland, and usurped his throne. In the wars which
ensued, the men of Lancashire were deeply engaged, and Siward, Earl of Northumberland, resisted
the usurper with all his force ; his object being to depose the assassin and raise Duncan's son
Malcolm, prince of Cumbria, who had married Siward's daughter, to the throne. To defeat the
ambitious progress of Harold, the king cast his eye towards his kinsman, William, Duke of
Normandy, as his successor. This prince was the natural son of Robert, Duke of Normandy, by
Harlotta, daughter of a tanner in Falaise.^ The character of the young prince qualified him for the
duties of government in the age in which he lived, and to a courage the most intrepid he added a
severity the most inflexible. During a visit paid by Harold to Rouen, William disclosed to him the
intentions of Edward, and prevailed upon him, by an offer of one of his daughters in marriage, and
by other motives of fear and reward, to promise that he would support his claims to the throne of
England. Not satisfied with a promise, on which he had little reliance, William required Harold
to take an oath in ratification of that engagement ; and, in order to give increased solemnity to the
pledge, he secretly conveyed, under the altar on which Harold agreed to swear, the relics of some of
the most revered martyrs. Notwithstanding this solemn engagement, which Harold considered as
extorted, and therefore not binding, on his return to England he resorted to every means in his
power to strengthen his influence. Tostig, a tyrannical prince, the brother of Harold, who had
succeeded to the earldom of Northumbria, in suppressing disorder in his territory, acted with so
much cruelty and injustice in the counties of York and Lancaster, that the inhabitants, headed by
the thanes, rose in rebellion against him, and expelled him from his government. Morcar and
Edwin, the sons of Earl Leofric, who possessed great power in this part of the kingdom, concurred
in the insurrection; and the former, being elected chief in the place of Tostig, advanced from York
with an army collected on the north of the Mersey and of the Humber, to oppose Harold, who had,
through the royal favour, been appointed governor of Wessex, and who was commissioned by the
king, on the representation of Tostig, to reduce and chastise the Northumbrians. Morcar,
" advancing south with all the shire, and with Nottinghamshire, and Derbyshire, and Lancashire^,"
marched to Northampton. Here they were met by Harold, at the head of the king's forces, and a
desperate battle appeared inevitable; but Morcar, wishing first to appeal to Harold's generosity and
sense of justice, rather than to the issue of arms, represented to him that Tostig had acted with so
much injustice and oppression in his government, that the inhabitants of Yorkshire and of Lancashire,
with those of Durham, Northumberland, Cumberland, and Westmorland, being accustomed to the
government of the law, and being determined to support their birthright, preferred death to slavery,
and had taken the field determined to perish rather than submit to the iron yoke of the tyrant.
After communicating with the king, Harold abandoned the cause of his brother, and obtained a
royal amnesty for the insurgents, who returned to their homes as conquerors, driving before them all
the cattle they could collect, amounting to many thousands. Morcar was from this time confirmed
in his government of Northumbria; and Harold, instead of consummating the family alliance
contracted with the daughter of William of Normandy, married the daughter of Morcar. The
death of Edward (January 5, 1066) speedily followed the suppression of the great northern
insurrection, and his body was interred in the abbey of Westminster, "which he had himself
erected to the honour of God and St. Peter, and all God's saints."' The religious zeal of this
sovereign, with whom the Saxon line of English kings terminated, procured him the name of
Confessor ; and his love of justice induced him to complete a code of laws from the works of
^thelberht, Ina, and Alfred, though those which pass under his name were, according to Sir Henry
Spelman, composed after his death. This sovereign was the first who touched for the king's evil — a
superstition which maintained its hold of public credulity through six centuries, and was not
discontinued till the time of the Stuarts.
Though, by the will of Edward, William of Normandy was appointed his successor, Harold,
stepped into the vacant throne without hesitation, having first been crowned at York, where he was
residing at the time of the king's death, by Aldred the archbishop, nor did he quit this part of the
kingdom till four months afterwards, when he repaired to London,^ having been everywhere
received in his progress with the most joyous acclamation. Earl Tostig, who had taken refuge in
Flanders with Earl Baldwin, his father-in-law, on his expulsion from Lancashire, collected a large
» Brompton, p. 910. ' Saxon Chron., a.d. 1085, " Saxon Chron. * Saxon Chron. 1006.
30 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIEE. chap. ii.
fleet and endeavoured to regain his forfeited possessions by sailing up the Humber and penetrating
into Northumbria. Finding his jaower ineffectual, he associated himself Avith Harold Hardrada,
king of Norway, who with 300 ships assembled in the Isle of "Wight, and there remained all the
summer. On the approach of autumn, Hardrada appeared off the Yorkshire coast with his 300
ships, and was joined by Earl Tostig, who had replenished his force amongst the Danish
Northumbrians, and, after entering the Humber, they sailed up the Ouse towards York. On
receiving this intelligence, Harold, whose army was collected in the south, under the expectation of
an invasion undertaken by the Normans, hastened to the north by forced marches. But before his
arrival, Edwin, earl of Mercia, and Morcar, earl of Northumberland, had gathered from Lancashire,
and other parts of the earldoms, a considerable force, with the intention of repelling the invaders.
On their arrival at Fulford, a village south of York, a sanguinary battle ensued, in which the
slaughter was so great that the Norwegians traversed the marshes on the bodies of the fallen,^ and
in which Morcar and Edwin were obliged to seek safety in flight, leaving the invaders in possession
of the field. After demanding hostages and prisoners from the inhabitants of York, the
"Northmen" marched to Stamford Bridge, where they were surprised by Harold (Sept. 27), at the
head of the largest force ever collected in England. Before the battle commenced, a proposal was
sent by Harold to his brother, offering to re-instate him in the government of Northumbria, if he
would withdraw from the field. To which Tostig, in the insolence of his spirit, replied, "Last
winter such a message might have spared much blood ; but now what do you offer for the king, my
ally?" "Seven feet of ground," said the Saxon general.^ The die was cast. For some time the
passage of the bridge was disputed by one of the Norwegians, who, owing to the narrowness of the
bridge, withstood the " English folk," ^ so that they could not pass. In vain did they aim at him
their javelins; he still maintained his ground, till a soldier came under the bridge, and pierced him
terribly inwards, under the coat of mail. Then Harold marched over the bridge, at the head of
his army, when a dreadful slaughter ensued, both of the Norwegians and the Flemings, in which
were slain Hardrada, the fair-haired king of Norway, and Tostig, the expatriated earl of Northumbria.
The fleet of the Norwegians fell also into the hands of Harold, who allowed Prince Olave, the son of
Hardrada, to depart the kingdom, with twenty of his vessels, taking with him the wreck of the
Norwegian and Flemish army. This act of generosity, as historians are accustomed to consider it,
was not unmixed with policy. A still more formidable invasion was approaching, and Harold
wished to be freed from one body of his enemies before he had to encounter another. The shouts
of victory were heard across the island, from the Humber to the Mersey ; but scarcely had those
shouts subsided, before intelligence was received that William of Normandy had landed at
Pevensy, at the head of 60,000 men, supported by a fleet of 3,000 sail,-* and was constructing a
castle at the port of Hastings. Harold received the news of William's landing without any emotions
of dismay, while he was at dinner in his favourite city of York. Hastening to London at the head
of his army, which had been diminished by the battle of Stamford Bridge, and which was
discontented by being denied a share of the spoil, he received a message from Duke William, who
offered Harold his choice of three proposals — to reign in fealty under William, whom he had sworn
to serve ; or to decide the dispute by single combat ; or to submit the cause to the arbitration of the
pope : to which Harold replied, that the God of battles should be the arbitrator, and decide the
differences between them. Yielding to the impetuosity of his own temper, instead of listening
to the wise counsels of his brother Gurth, he marched from London without due preparation,
in the vain hope of surprising the Normans in the south, as he had surprised the Norweo-ians
in the north. °
The night before the battle of Hastings was passed by the invaders in preparations and in
prayer, while the English devoted their hours to festivity and joyful anticipations. The fate of
England hung on the issue of the day. Before the battle commenced, on the 14th October, 1066,
William joined in the solemnity of religious worship, and received the sacrament at the hands of
the bishop; and to give increased effect to these solemnities he hung round his neck the relics on
which Harold had sworn to support his claims to the English throne." He divided his army into three
bodies. In front he placed his light infantry, armed with arrows and balistse, led by Montgomery.
The second division, commanded by Martel, consisted of his heavy-armed battalions. His cavalry,
at whose head he stood in person, formed the third line, and was so disposed that they stretched
beyond the infantry, and flanked each wing of the army. The English army, chiefly infantry were
arranged by Harold in the form of a wedge, meant to be impenetrable. Their shields covered their
bodies ; their arms wielded the battle-axe. Harold, whose courage was equal to his station, quitted
1 Snorre, p. 155 ; Ork. Saga, p. 96. < The " Roman de Bou" says 696, which is tuoro probable
2 Snorre, p. 160. "s WiU. of Malms., p. 101.
•" Saxon Chron. e quH. Pict,, p. 201.
^=^P- "■ THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIRE.
31
Lis horse to share the danger cand glory on foot. His brothers, Gurth and Sweyn, accompanied
liim and his banner, m which the figure of a man in combat, woven sumptuously with gold and
jewels, shmmg conspicuously, was planted near him.^ The English, occupying the high ground
which was flanked by a wood, not only received the discharge of the Norman weapons with patient
valour, but returned the attack with their battle-axes and ancient weapons with so much effect that
the toot andthe cavalry of Bretagne and all the other allies of William on the left wing, gave way.
Ihe impression extended along the whole line, and was increased by a rumour that the duke had
lallen. -Dismay began to unnerve his army; and a general flight seemed about to ensue.^ William,
to arrest the progress pi the panic, and to convince his soldiers of his safety, rushed amongst the
fugitives, and, with his helmet thrown from his head, exclaimed, "Behold me— I live; and will
conquer yet, with God s assistance. What madness influences you to fly ? What way can be found
lor youj escape ? They whom, if you choose, you may kill like cattle, are driving and destroying
you. You fly from victory— from deathless honour. You run upon ruin and everlasting disgrace,
it you continue to retreat every one of you will perish."^ The Normans rallied, and made a
desperate onset; but the English, forming a wall of courageous soldiery, remained unbroken.
\\ ilham, hndmg all his efl"orts to penetrate their ranks fruitless, resolved to hazard a feigned
retreat A body of a thousand horse were entrusted with this critical operation. Having rushed
upon the English with a horrible outcry, they suddenly checked themselves, as if panic-struck, and
attected a hasty flight. The English entered eagerly on the pursuit with apparent success ; for the
N ormans, having retired upon an excavation somewhat concealed, fell into their own trap ; many
ot them perished, and some of the English shared the same fate. While this manoeuvre was
occupying their attention, the duke's main body rushed between the pursuers and the rest of their
army. The English endeavoured to regain their position : the cavalry turned upon them, and, thus
enclosed, many of them fell victims to the skilful movements of their adversaries. At length they
rallied and regained their position, but, uninstructed by experience, they suffered themselves to be
twice afterwards decoyed by a repetition of the same artifice. In the heat of the struggle twenty
Normans confederated to attack and carry off the English standard. This service they effected,
though not without the loss of many of their number.' The battle continued through the day with
frequent changes of fortune. Harold was more distinguished for the bravery of a soldier than for
the skill of a general. _ William united the two characters. He had three horses killed under him.
While Harold lived his valourous countrymen seemed invincible. Fertile in expedients, the duke
directed his archers not to shoot directly at the English, but to discharge their arrows vigorously
upwards towards the sky. The random shafts descended into the English ranks like impetuous
hail, and one of them pierced the gallant Harold in the eye," and, penetrating the brain, terminated
his life. A furious charge of the Norman horse increased the disorder. Panic scattered the
English, and the Normans vigorously pursued them through the broken ground. A part of the
fugitives rallied, and, indignant at the prospect of surrendering their country to foreigners, they
sought to renew the contest. William, perceiving that the critical moment for sealing the victory
had arrived, ordered Count Eustace and his soldiers to the attack. The duke, with a vigour and
energy peculiar to himself^ joined in the final conflict, and secured the victory of Hastings and the
crown of England. The body of Harold was found by his mistress, Edith, " the Lady of the Swan
Neck," near those of his two brothers, Leofwine and Gurth, who were also slain in the battle, and
Avas sent, at the request of his mother, Githa, for interment to the monastery of Waltham, which
he had founded.'
The battle of Hastings terminated the Saxon dynasty in England, after a continuance, with
occasional interruptions, of six hundred years. During this long period the foundations of some of
the most important of our public institutions were laid, and it may be interesting, even for the
illustration of local history, shortly to advert to their nature and origin. In the Saxon period, the
mechanical arts, so closely interwoven with the interests of society, met with liberal encouragement.
The wisest of their monarchs invited from all quarters skilful and industrious foreigners ; they
encouraged manufactures of every kind, and prompted men of activity to betake themselves to
navigation, and to push commerce into the most remote countries. As an indication of an approach
towards a state of free traffic, and of the increase of commerce, it is mentioned that Cnut,
* Will, of Malm. p. 101. and that the tomb shown did not mark his last resting-place. Giraldus
^ Gliil. Pict. 202. Cambrensis, among the older historians, and Sir Francis Palgrave, among
3 Brompton, p. 960. modern writers, relate a tradition that Harold escaped alive from the
* Henry ot Hunt., p. 368 ; Will, of Malms, p. 101. field of battle, and lived in seclusion at Chester, where he ended his
* Though the commonly-received account is that the corpse of Harold days as a monk or lay-brother. The last-named authority considers that
was carried from the battle-field, and buried at W.altham, the Anglo- the tomb at W.altham was nothing more than a cenotaph, which is cert.ainly
Saxon people long refused to believe that the last of their kings had at variance with the "Hie Jacet," upon the tomb, and the circum-
perished at Hastings. They believed that his wounds were healed stantial account given by Fuller in his " Ctiurch History," wherein ho
amidst friends ; that he waited in some safe seclusion ready to lead his describes the opening of the tomb towards the close of Elizabeth's reign,
faithful English when the opportunity for deliverance should approach ; when a skeleton was discovered inside it. — C,
32
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. II.
about the year 1028, established mints for the coinage of money in thirty-seven cities and townsof
Eno-land. A silver penny, coined at York about the year 630, and marked with the name of Edwin,
the°Northumbrian monarch, is supposed to be the earliest specimen of coinage in this island after
the abdication of the Romans. The kin^ and his barons enfranchised the principal towns, to
encourage the progress of manufactures, and Manchester was of the favoured number.
It must be admitted, however, that whatever progress our Anglo-Saxon ancestors had made in
commerce and in manufactures since the time of the Roman sway in Britain, this country had
retrogaded deplorably in the practice of the fine arts. As early as the reign of Severus, the
sculpture and the painting of Rome had obtained a high degree of perfection ; but in the Saxon
times these accomplishments were almost extinct in the island, and the coinage of Northumbria, m
the reigns of iEthelstan, of Harold surnamed Harefoot, and of Edward the Confessor, as exhibited in
the following specimens, serve sufiiciently to prove the lamentable deterioration : —
The Anglo-Saxons were divided into four classes— men of birth, men of property, freemen,
and serviles. Their money was in pounds, shillings, and pence ; twenty shillings constituted a
pound, and twelve pence a shilling, as at present— with this difference, however, _ that twenty
shillings weighed a pound troy— and hence the term pound. Guilds, or communities of mutual
protection, were formed by persons engaged in trade, which sought at once to protect the interests
of those branches of business, and to provide for the members of their fraternities in sickness and
old age.' Markets and fairs were pretty generally established ; attention was paid to agriculture;
and the yeoman was held in deserved estimation. Their monarchy was partly hereditary and partly
elective ; and the power of their sovereigns not absolute, but limited. Their Witena-Gemot of " wise
men " formed the great council of the nation, and was a body, the foundation of our parliaments,
that at once enacted laws and administered justice. Besides the trial by jury, they had the trial
by ordeal of water and of iron : by the iron ordeal, the accused carried a piece of red-hot iron three
feet, or nine feet, according to the magnitude of the offence ; in the water ordeal, he plunged his
hand into a vessel of boiling- hot water up to the wrist in some cases, and to the elbow in others ;
the hand was then bound up, and sealed for three days, at the end of which time the bandage and
seal were removed ; when, if the hand was found clean, he was pronounced innocent, if foul, guilty.-
This was a trial, not a punishment, and it was performed before the priest, in the presence of two
witnesses, after due preparation. Sometimes the party choosing this mode of trial prepared his own
hand, to endure the fiery trial ; and sometimes probably prepared the hand of the priest, and thus
induced him to abate the height of the temperature. There was another ordeal by water : the
culprit, having a rope tied about him, was plunged into a river two ells and a half deep ; if he sank,
he was acquitted ; but if he floated, being considered deficient in weight of goodness, he was con-
demned.' The punishments were various, and consisted of banishment, slavery, branding, amputa-
tion of limb, mutilation of the nose, ears, and lips, plucking out the eyes, stoning, or hanging. The
trial by jury was a rational and enlightened inquiry. The Saxons have the merit of having intro-
duced this invaluable institution into England ; and some authors contend that it originated in the
time of Alfred, but it is certain that it was in use amongst the earliest Saxon colonists.'' The trial
by jury did not at once attain perfection, and it is probable that Alfred matured and perfected the
institution. Originally a man was cleared of an accusation, if twelve persons came forward and
swore that they believed him to be innocent of the alleged crime.' This was a jury in its earliest
form. Afterwards it became necessary that twelve men, peers or equals of the litigants, should hear
the evidence on both sides, and that they on their oaths should say whether the accused was guilty
or innocent.
The Feudal System arose in England during the Saxon dynasty, and for many ages exercised
an influence and control over society, not only in this country, but over the whole of the western
nations of the world. Though the system was introduced into this country by the Anglo-Saxons, it
was not till the Norman Conquest that it received its complete consummation. In the heat of the
battle of Hastings, "William had promised his followers that the lands of England should be theirs
■ Wilk, Leg, Inas, p. 27. = Textus RofEenais. ' Clack. Com. cap. xxiii. « Turner's Aug. Sax. iv. 337.
Eden on the Poor Laws,
^'HAP. 11. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIHE.
83
if victory crowned their efforts ; and the possessions of Earl Tostig, as well as those of the other Saxon
barons, between the Mersey and the Kibble, and to the north of tlie latter river, speedily became
the knights fees of the houses of Lacy and Poictou. In the partition of the spoil, the most consider-
able share fell to the king. These lands became the subject of feudal tenures ; ' the king conferred
them_ upon his favourites in capite, on the condition that they should faithfully serve him in war
and in peace, and on payment of a certain annual fine; and they again granted their Lancashire
manors to Goisfridus, Willielmus, Tetbaldus, and others, as their feudatories. These thanes had
their socmen and villeins— in other words, their farmers and their slaves— some holding by military
and others by rustic obligations ; but all, from the highest to the lowest, under feudal tenures. The
whole frarne of society was involved in this comprehensive system.^
The six centuries embraced in this chapter, considered in regard to their results, constitute
the most important period in the history of the county and of the kingdom. In that time the
Britain of the Csesars became the England Ave now know ; and out of the British, Roman, Saxon,
and Danish stock — the admixture of tribes and blood that then represented the courage,
enterprise, energy, and self-reliance of Europe— emerged the English people. The Teutonic and
Scandinavian invasion was more ruthless, more destructive, and more complete than any which
had preceded it: it submerged every usage and obliterated every trace of existing institutions—
the laws, the customs, the Christianity, the language of the people, and, to a large extent, the very
names of places disappeared. The heathen and the stranger came from across the German Sea ;
wave followed^ wave from the inexhaustible breeding grounds of the north, sweeping away the
dying civilisation of the Latin world, but depositing in its stead a fruitful soil, from which the
civilisation of a later time was to spring. The piratical Viking followed in the wake of the
adventurous Saxon. Pierced by barbarian hordes, torn by internal divisions, and ruled by foreign
masters, the country was for a long time like a seething cauldron, and the scene of overwhelming
and crushing calamity.
The history of these times is full of doubt and obscurity. We know only the general results,
we know very little of the details, yet it was amid these desolating wars, these internal feuds,
these fierce conflicts of races, and from these discordant elements, that gradually, and by slow and
insensible development, there sprang' up a perdurable nation, that has preserved its free spirit
under every form of alien domination or domestic oppression, a nation that in every conflict,
whether that of regal despotism or feudal or ecclesiastical assumption, has asserted the right of
individual liberty, and upheld, with ever- increasing strength, the great principle of the equality of
all men before the law. Under the stern discipline of these times England developed her national
character, and by slow process built up the fabric of her law ; for that resulted from the principle
of growth rather than from that of creation. To the Saxon mind we owe much of the English
Constitution. Upon their civilisation, rudely developed though it might be, were founded many
of the principles of government which have retained their vitality through the long centuries
that have intervened, for the Norman despotism was absorbed by the Anglo-Saxon freedom, and
feudality could neither destroy the principles of self-government nor weaken the love of personal
liberty. Their indomitable spirit of independence is wrought into the life-blood of our own
Saxon-sprung race ; from their customs we derive many of our own ; and it is in the elements of
their social state that we discover the origin of that of to-day. The humanising influences of the
Christian religion melted down the rude Saxon, the restless Jute, and the idolatrous Angle, and
took from them their fierce despotism, their barbarous rites, and their cruel customs ; while their
mother tongue, terse and vigorous, has gradually formed into a language that is spoken in every
quarter of the world.
' Discussions have at various times taken place upon the question, This was the only order of nobility iimong the Saxons. Tlicy corresponded
" Was the land system of this period feudal?" It engaged the attention to the position of lieutenants of counties, and were appointed for life,
of the Irish Court of King's Bench in the reign of Charles I., and arose In 1045 there were nine such officers; in 1065 there were but six.
throuKh the issuing of a " commission of defective titles " in the preced- Harold's earldom at the former date comprised Norfolk, Suffolk, Essex,
ine roiirn In a paper on " The History of Landholding in England " in and Middlesex ; and Godwin's took in the whole south coast from Sand-
the "Transactions" of the Hoyal Historic Society of Great Britain, Mr. wieh to the Land's End, and included Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, Wili^
Fisher says' "In the course of the argument the existence of feudal shire, Devonshire, and Cornwall. Upon the death of Godwin, Harold
tenures before the landing of William of Normandy, was discussed, and resigned his earldom and took that of Godwin, the bounds being slightly
Sir Henry Spelman's views, as expressed in the Glossary, were considered. varied. Harold retained his earldom after he became king, but on his
The Court unanimously decided that feudalism existed in England under death it was seized upon by the Conqueror, and divided among his
the Anelo-Saxons, and it affirmed that Sir Henry Spelman was wrong. followers. The Crown relied upon the liba-i Hommes, or freimen. The
This decision led Sir Henry Spehnan to write his 'Treatise on Feuds,' country was not studded with castles filled with armed men. 'ihe Iwtise
which was published after his death, in which he reasserted the opinion of the thane was an unfortified structure, and while the laws relating to
that feudalism was introduced into England at the Norman invasion. land were, in my view, essentially /CM(!a(, the government was dilfcreiit
This decision must however be accepted with a limitation. I think from that to which we apply the term /ttiAUism, which appears to imply
there was no separate order of nobility under the Saxon rule. The king baronial castles, armed men, and an oppressed people. —0.
had his councUlors but there appears to have been no order between him ' Mr. Barnes gives here avery long quotation as to the feudal system
and the Mc^amwt The earls and the thanes met with the people, but did from a MS. of Dr. Kuerden, in the Uhetham Library, which, from its want
not fonn a separate body. The thanes were, country gentlemen, not of authority and accuracy, loose style, and strange phraseology, is not
eenators The outcome of the Heptarchy was the earis or ealdermen. deemed worth reprinting. -H.
6
C H A P T E 11 III
William tlie Conqueror's Suppres&ion of EeTolts in the North— His Extension of the Feudal System and Seizure of Church Lauds
and Property — The Domesday Survey and Book — The Honor of Lancaster — Its First Norman Baron, Roger de Poictou —Its
Grant by the Crown to Randle, Third Earl of Chester.— a.d. 1066 to circa 1120,
sooner was th* Norman Conqueror seated, on the throne of England than he
began to exercise the power of conquest with all the rigour which the jealousy
of his own mind and the insubordinate disposition of his new subjects dictated.
The doctrines inculcated by Machiavel, in his instructions to conquering princes,
were practised by William of Normandy in England five centuries before they
Avere promulgated by the Italian politican. He left no art untried to root out
the ancient nobility, to curb the power of the established clergy, or to reduce
the commonality to the lowest state of penury and dependence. Earls Morcar
and Edwin, Avho had so successfully resisted the tyrannical power of Earl Tostig, were among the
first to revolt from the yoke of the tyrant. To give effect to their resistance, they raised forces in
Lancashire and Cheshire, as well as in the other northern counties, and fixed upon the celebrated
Northumbrian capital, the city of York, then amongst the first cities in the kingdom, superior even
to London, as their stronghold. The inhabitants of York rising in arms, slew Kobert Fitz-Richard,
the governor,^ and besieged in the castle William Mallet, on whom the command had devolved.
At this juncture two of the sons of King Sweyne, with two hundred and forty ships, arrived from
Denmark, under the command of Duke Osborne, brother to the king. The troops disembarked on
the banks of the Humber, where they were met by Edgar Atheling, and Earls Waltheof and
Gospatric, with large levies of Northumbrians from Yorkshire, Lancashire, Cumberland, and
Durham, "riding and marching," says the Saxon Chronicle, " full merrily towards York." This
alarming revolt the Conqueror hastened to subdue ; and such was the violence of his rage, that, on
his Avay to the north, he swore repeatedly, by the " splendour of God," that he Avould not leave a
soul of the insurgents alive. The strength of the Saxon barons Avas increased by the junction of a
large force under BethAvin, king of North Wales. Preliminary to his arrival, William had suspended
Morcar, and appointed Robert de Coniyn, a Norman baron, to the earldom of Northumberland.
The orders given to Robert Avere, to subdue the refractory spirit of the people, Avithout regard to
the shedding of blood ;- and a guard of seven hundred men Avas placed around his person. The
intrepid Northumbrians, roused by a sense of their OAvn Avrongs, and by the indignity ofiered to the
Earl Morcar, rose in open insurrection, and put to death the Norman, Avith every individual
composing his guard. The first measure taken by William, on his arrival at York, Avas to offer
mercy to the insurgents, on their submission to his authority ; and the chiefs, finding themselves
unequal to contend Avith the poAver that Avas brought against them, accepted the proffered clemency.
The Earls Morcar and EdAvin, accompanied by Gospatric, and Edgar Atheling, their laAvful prince,
fled into Scotland^ under the protection of King Malcolm. Unmindful of that general amnesty
which he had offered, the Conqueror directed the most severe proscription against the Saxon
inhabitants of these regions, hundreds of Avhom fell under the cruel inflictions of the Normans.
To guard against a surprise, the Conqueror caused numerous castles to be erected in the north of
England ; and in the city of York tAvo castles sprang up under the direction of the Normans. These
precautions Avere not confined to inland fortifications ; they extended also to the coast, and the
castles of Lancaster and of Liverpool, on the Lune and the Mersey, Avere both erected during the
early part of the Conqueror's reign, by Roger de Poictou, one of the most distinguished amongst
the Norman barons. Notwithstanding the severity practised by William on the suppression of the
first insurrection, he alloAved the Earls Morcar and EdAvin to retain their estates m Lancashire,
Yorkshire, and Cheshire, though he extended the rigours of confiscation over the lands of many of
their followers. The forfeitures, attainders and other acts of Aaolence, soon produced another
insurrection — the flame of insurrection, lighted up amongst the bravo Northumbrians, spread into
other parts of the kingdom ; but the king, avcII aAvarc that the most imminent danger existed in
1 Order. A'ltcd. \i. 612.
- AVal. Hcuiingtord, Cnuoli of Cisbiu^li.
CHAP. III. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 85
the counties of York and Lancaster, determined to march once more against them, and placing
himself at the heaa of a powerful army, he left London to take his revenge upon the insurgents.
By common consent. Earl "Waltheof was appointed governor of the city of York by the Saxon
barons, while the Danish general took up his intrenchments between the Humber and the Trent,
in order to keep the Normans in check. On the arrival of William and his army before York, he
sent his summons to the governor, offering him clemency if he surrendered promptly, but threaten-
ing the most terrible vengeance if he attempted to withstand his authority. He pushed on the
siege with vigour, and was not less vigorously resisted. A breach having been made in the walls
by the engines of the besiegers, the governor himself, being a man of prodigious might and strength,
stood single in the breach, and cut off the heads of several Normans who attempted to enter.' For
six months the siege was sustained, and the struggle was sanguinary and exhausting ; and it was
not till "William had reinforced the besieging army again and again that he gained possession of
the city. Famine at length effected what force could not achieve; and William not only promised
forgiveness to the governor, but also the most reasonable terms to his troops, on the condition of
surrender. Under the influence of that admiration which bravery inspires amongst the brave, the
Conqueror gave to Waltheof his niece Judith, daughter of the Countess Albemarle, in marriage,
and created him also Earl of Northumberland. The reconciliation was only temporary. William,
impatient of opposition, brought the gallant earl to the block, on account of another conspiracy, and
this was the first nobleman whose life was terminated in England by decapitation. Earls Morcar
and Edwin, no longer able to sustain their own dignity, or to preserve the public rights, quitted the
seats of their earldoms in Northumbria and Mercia. Edwin, in attempting to make his escape into
Scotland, was betrayed by some of his followers, and killed by a party of Normans, to the deep
affliction of the men of Lancashire and Cheshire, where the ardour of his patriotism, and his personal
accomplishments, had gained all hearts ; while Earl Morcar was thrown into prison, and consigned
to future obscurity. Lucia, the sister of the Earls Morcar and Edwin, was presented in marriage to
Ivo Talbois, the first Baron of Kendal, who came over with the Conqueror. This baron was dis-
tinguished by the favour of his prince, who granted to him that part of Lancashire which adjoins
Westmorland, as well as the confiscated lands of his wife's brother in Lincolnshire. William viewed
the inhabitants of Northumbria as the most formidable enemies to his power ; and in order to satiate
his rage and to prevent further resistance, he razed the city of York to the ground ; and with it fell
many of the principal nobility and gentry, as well as the humbler inhabitants. Nor did his
implacable vengeance rest here : he laid waste the whole of the fertile country between the Humber
and the Tees, a distance of sixty miles, so that, for nine years afterwards, neither spade nor plough
was put into the ground.^ If any of the wretched inhabitants escaped, they were reserved for a
more lingering fate, being forced through famine to eat dogs and cats, horses, and even human
flesh. The towns, villages,' hamlets, and scattered habitations throughout Northumbria were reduced
to ashes ; all the implements of agriculture — carts, ploughs, harrows — were piled in heaps, and con-
sumed with fire ; the corn was burnt in the granaries ; horses, cattle, sheep, were slaughtered in the
fields or at the stalls, in short, everything that could serve for the support of human life was utterly
consumed. The tyrant gave full sway to all the ferocious passions of his nature, and gloated his
eyes upon the wasted lands and the innumerable corpses of the slain. His breast was steeled
against compassion, and whenever a Northumbrian appeared, he was cut down by the sword or
pierced by the lances of the Normans. So unsparing was the destruction, that the inhabitants
could scarcely recognise their own lands ; and when the Domesday Book was compiled, though the
survey was not commenced till ten years afterwards, many townships remained uncultivated, which
is the reason why Wasta [waste] so often occurs in the Domesday Survey of Yorkshire. In that
part of this ancient document which concerns Lancashire, the returns are more fully made, though
not under the head of a distinct county ; and a presumption naturally arises that the Conqueror's
severity was practised with less rigour between the Mersey and the Duddon than between the
Humber and the Tees. In the north of Lancashire, included within the ancient limits of
Richmondshire, several vacancies are found; and in the south-eastern part of the district,_ between
the Ribble and the Mersey, the scanty return of names may be accounted for by the vicinity of
that part of Salford hundred to the devoted county of York.
By a charter remarkable for its comprehensive brevity," William, while at York, granted the
lands and towns and the rest of the inheritance of Earl Edwin to his nephew, Alan, son of Eudo,
Duke of Brittany, whom he afterwards named Earl of Richmond, and in this way nearly two
1 William nf Malmsburv tenant for Ufe. Each estate reverted to the crown on the death of him
\ M^l^a ,, lO? KnSn Inpilf p. 79. Sim. of Dur. p. 199. who held it ; but, previous to acquiring possession, the new tenant had
I T^I-f/hStefdoe, not create Serent title, but gives the lands as to cease to be his own " man," and became the 'man "of hjs superior.
held bv tie former pL^es^rlLm^^^^^ ass'umed^the function of This was called ■•homage"and was followed by " invcsuture. -C.
the folc-ffeiiiot, but the principle remained -the foudee only became
36 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. hi.
tundred manors and townships were transferred by a dash of the pen, and an impression of the
seal, from the unfortunate Edwin to the trusty follower of the victorious William. The Conqueror
soon placed all the land of the kingdom under that system of feudal tenure which had already
been partially introduced under the Saxon dynasty. These possessions, with very few exceptions
besides the royal demesnes, Avere divided into baronies, which were conferred, with the reservation
of stated services and payments, on the most considerable of the Normans. The great barons, who
held of the crown, shared out a large part of their lands to other foreigners, who bore the names of
knights or vassals, and who paid their lord the same duty and submission in peace and in war
which he himself owed to his sovereign. The whole kingdom contained about seven hundred chief
tenants, and 60,215 knights' fees;^ and as none of the English were admitted into the first rank,
the few who retained their landed possessions were glad to be received under the protection of some
powerful Norman baron, though at the cost of an oppressive burden on those estates which they
had received as a free inheritance from their ancestors.^
Having broken the spirit of the laity, the Conqueror now proceeded to appropriate a large
share of the enormous property of the clergy to his own use. The first step he took for the
attainment of this object was to seize not only all the riches^ and valuable effects which the English
had lodged in the religious houses throughout the kingdom during the troubles, but even the
charters, shrines, and treasures belonging to the monasteries themselves, resolving at the same time
that none of the English monks or clergy should ever be preferred to any of the vacant sees, and
that those who already possessed them should be stripped of their dignities. In consequence of
this resolution, Stigand, Archbishop of Canterbury, was removed from his episcopal office on
various groundless pretences, but without the colour of justice. Adding cruelty to injustice,
William imprisoned the deprived prelates, and kept them in confinement all the rest of their lives.
In this province, the king, during the feast of Pentecost, named Thomas, a canon of Bayeux, to the
see of York. The principles he had adopted in Normandy he introduced into England, and
seemed quite ready to act upon the determination he had made in the former country — namely,
" that if any monk, who was his subject, should dispute his will, he would cause him to be hanged
forthwith." In Saxon times, the clergy, not only in this province, but throughout the nation
generally, held their lands and possessions by a different tenure from the laity, called frank-
almoigne, subject to no secular service, to no rents or impositions, but such as they consented to
lay upon themselves in their councils or synods, which privilege they had extorted, after some
resistance, from the superstitious ^Ethelwulf. Their estates, derived from the bounty of the
Saxon kings and their nobles, were so great, that they possessed more than a third part of the
kingdom ; the computation being that of the 60,215 knights' fees the clergy held 28,015,* exclusive
of their plate, jewels, and various other treasures. With such enormous riches at their disposal
they became unduly powerful ; and William, jealous of that power, and suspicious of their fidelity,
reduced ah their lands to the common tenure of knights' service and barony. The new prelates
Avere required to take an oath of fealty, and to do homage to the king, before they could be
admitted to their temporalities; they were also subject to an attendance upon the king in his
court-baron, to follow him in his wars with their knights and quota of soldiers, to pay him their
usual aids, and to perform all the other services incident to the feudal tenures. The clergy
remonstrated most bitterly against this new revolution ; but William was inexorable, and consigned
to prison or to banishment all who opposed his will. While the power of the clergy Avas thus
curtailed, that of the barons, Avho Avere now chiefly Norman, Avas increased. In their manors they
had absolute jurisdiction ; they gave laAvs and administered justice in their courts-baron to their
vassals ; and suits betA^een the tenants of different lords Avere tried in their hundred, or county
courts, Avhile the king's courts took cognisance only of those betAveen the barons themselves.^
By a synod held in London (A.D. 1075) the precedency of the bishops Avas settled, according to
the priority of their consecration, except with regard to such sees as had particular privileges
annexed to them. " Hitherto the bishops had resided in small toAvns or villages, for the purpose, as
was alleged, of sacred retirement ; but at this synod it was determined that the see of Lichfield, in
Avhich diocese the greater part of Lancashire Avas at that time included, should be removed to Chester.
It was now ordained, for the first time, that no bishop, abbot, or clergyman, should judge any
person to the loss of life or limb, or give his vote or countenance to any other for that purpose ; "
and to comply Aviththis canon, the prelates have ever since withdraAvn from the House of Lords in
such cases, satisfying themselves Avith entering a protest in favour of their right, Avithout
exercising it.« The activity of William's mind suggested to him a great national work, which Avill
1 Orderic. A'italis, p. ,'523. .-i g;,,,. of D„r, Ann. of Waver. T. Sprott's Chron. p 114
"The drenghes mentioned in the Domesday Book, " Newton « T. Sprott's Chron. p. 114. ' Brist. Monost. n 33 '
Hundred, wete probably of this number,— B, o Carte's Hiat. vol, 1. p. 421. '
CHAP. III. THE HISTORY OF LANCASIIIRE. 37
be held throvighout all ages as a redeeming feature in his life, and will serve to transmit his
memory with veneration to posterity.
" After the synod," says the Saxon Chronicle, " the king held a large meeting, and very deep
consultation with the council, about this land ; how it was occupied, and by what sort of men.
Then sent he his men over all England into each shire, commissioning them to find out — ' How
many hundreds of hides were in the shire, what lands the king himself had, and what stock upon
the land ; or what dues he ought to have by the year from the shire.' Also he commissioned them
to record in writing, " How much land his archbishops had, and his diocesan bishops, and his
abbots, and his earls ; what or how much each man had, who was an occupier of land in England,
either in land or stock, and how much money it was worth.' So very narrowly, indeed, did he
commission them to trace it out, that there was not one single hide, nor a yard of land ; nay,
moreover (it is shameful to tell, though he thought it no shame to do it), not even an ox, nor a
cow, nor a swine, was there left, that was not set down in his writ. And all the recorded
particulars were afterwards brought to himv" That nothing might be wanted to render this record
complete, and its authority perpetual, the survey was executed by Norman commissioners, called
"the king's justiciaries," consisting of nobles and bishops, acting under royal appointment, and
associated, probably, with some ot the principal men of each shire. The inquisitors, upon the
oaths of the sheriffs, the lord of each manor, the presbyters of every church, the reeves of every
hundred, the bailiffs and six villeins of every village, were to inquire into the name of the place,
who held it in the time of King Edward, who was the present possessor, how many hides in the
manor, how many carucates in demesne, how many homagers, how many villeins, how many
cotarii, how many servi, what free-men, how many tenants in socage ; what quantity of wood, how
much meadow and pastvire, what mills and fish-ponds ; how much added or taken away, what the
gross value in King Edward's time, and how much each free- man or soc-man had or has. All this
was to be triply estimated : first, as the estate was held in the time of the Confessor ; then, as it
was bestowed by King William ; and thirdly, as its value stood at the formation of the survey.
The jurors were, moreover, to state whether any advance could be made in the value. The book
contains, besides these details of property and tenure, many curious reports of the ancient rights
and privileges of the people, and especially of the towns. The " Laws of King Edward," for which
our Saxon ancestors so often and so stoutly contended in the earlier years of the Norman conquest,
are nowhere to be found so clearly set forth as in this work of the very man who, not perhaps
without reason, was generally accused and suspected of an intention to violate them.
The exact time occupied in taking the whole survey of the kingdom is differently stated by
historians; but the probability is, that it was commenced a.d. 1080; and it is evident, from the
date inserted at the end of the second volume, that it was completed in 1086. It is remarkable
that in this survey the name of Lancashire does not occur ; but that part of it which lies between
the Kibble and the Mersey is surveyed under Cheshire, while the northern part of the county,
includino- Amounderness and the hundred of Lonsdale, north and south of the Sands, is com-
prehended under Yorkshire. The devastation made by the Conqueror in the three most northern
counties of England rendered it impossible to take an exact survey of that district; and the
return in Amounderness, that "sixteen of the villages in this hundred have few inhabitants (how
many is not known), and the rest are waste," sufficiently indicates that the hand of the spoiler had
lain heavy upon that hundred. By the Domesday return the king acquired an exact knowledge
of all the possessions of the crown. It furnished him with the means of ascertammg the strength
of the country pointed out the possibility of increasing the revenue in certain districts, and formed
a perpetual register of appeal for those whose titles to their estates might in future be disputed.
This purpose °it has served ever since its completion; and even now, at the end of eight
hundred years such is the credit of this document, that if a question arises whether a manor,
parish or land's be ancient demesne, the issue must be tried by this book, whence there is no
appeal The two volumes which contain the survey are now, by common consent, called
Domesday Book from Dome (cenus) and Boc (book). It has, however, borne other designations
and has been known as Rotulus Wintonice, Scriptura Thesauri Regis, Uher de Wtntoma, and
Liber Regis. Sir Henry Spelman adds. Liber Jucliciarius, Censualis Anghce, Anglice NotiUa et
Lustratio, and Rotula Regis}
... j'i.- „ n<-tor„.if •uToa TO^ H P hc wliaf; has nublished in a separate vol. at a moderate price. We give the translation,
. In the original edition an =;tt™Pt ™ "^merous peeuliariv arcade from a careful examination of the fac-simile by William
been called "Domesday type t»^repre9ont the "'J,'"^^^"^ P^^^'-fJ^J Bcamont, Esq., of Orford Hall, Warrington, in his "Literal Extension
abbreviated Latin worfs in his a^^^^^^^ -e ^e'^beautifuVftc'' and"ran'slat?oA of Domesday Book-Cheshire and Lancashire, etc."-and
staile o? the Z^nl, Skeii by phn^to-.in'co„^aphy under the direction of by his permission.
S -Col Sir Henri- James, of the ordnance Survey, which has been
38 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap, m,
BETWEEN EIBBLE AND MEKSEY.
[South Lancashire.]
ROGEB DE POICTOU HELD THE UNDERMENTIONED LAND BETWEEN KIBBLE AND MERSEY.
In [West] Derby Hundred.
Surveyed under the head of Cestre-Scire (Cheshire).
King Edward [the Confessor] had there one manor named Berbei, with six Berewicks} There are four hides.^ The land is
fifteen carucates.^ There is a forest two leagues'* long and one broad ; and an aery of hawks.
Vctred held six manors, Habil (Rout), Chelnulveslei (Knowslby), Cherchehi (Kirkbt), Crosebi (Crosby), Magde (Maghull),
and j^c/teteK (AuBHTON I.) There are two hides [of land]. The woods are two leagues long and the same broad, and there are
two aeries of hawks.
Dot held Hitune (Huyton) and Torboc (Taebock). There is one hide quit of every custom duties but the gelt [danegeld*].
The land is four carucates. It was worth twenty shillings.
Bernulf held Slochestede (Toxteth I.) One virgate" and half a carucate of land there paid four shillings.
Stainulf held Stochestede (Toxteth II.) There one virgate and half a oaruoate of land were worth four shillings.
Five Thanes held Sextone (Sefton). There was one hide there worth sixteen shillings.
Uetred held Chirchedele (Kirkdale). There is half a hide quit of every custom but the gelt It was worth ten shillings
Winestan held Waletone (W.alton-on-the-Hill). There were two carucates and three bovates [or oxgangs] of land worth eight
shillings.
Elmces held Liderlant (Lithbrland). There was half a hide. It was worth eight shillings.
Three Thanes held Hinne (Inoe Blundell) for three manors. There was half a hide. It was worth eight shillings.
Aseha held Tm'entun (Thornton). There was half a hide. It was worth eight shillings.
Three Thanes held Mele (Meols) for three manors. There is half a hide. It was worth eight shillings
Uetred held Ulventune (Little Woolton). There are two carucates of land, and half a league of wood. It was worth sixty-
four pence.
Edelmund held Esmedune (Smithdown, now Liverpool). There is one carucate of land. It was worth thirty-two pence.
Three Thanes held Alretune (Allkrton) for three manors. There is half a hide. It wa.i worth eight shillings.
Uetred held Spec (Speke). There are two carucates of land. It was worth sixty-four pence.
Four Radmans [Knight Riders] held Cildeioelle (Childwall) for four manors. There is half a hide. It is worth eight
shilliugs. There was a priest there having half a carucate of land in frank-almoin [free-alms].
Ulbert held Wibaldeslei (Windle, Windleshaw, Whiston, Bold, Paebold, and Prescot). There are two carucates of land.
It was worth sixty-four pence.
Two Thanes held Uvetone (Much Woolton) for two manors. There is one carucate of land. It was worth thirty pence.
Leving held Wavertreu (Waverteee). There are two carucates of land. It was worth sixty-four pence.
Four Thanes held Boltelai (Bootle) for four manors. There are two carucates of land. It was worth sixty-four pence. A
priest had one carucate of land to the church at Waletone (Walton-on-the-Hill).
Uetred held Achetun (Aughton II.). There is one carucate of land. It was worth thirty-two pence.
Three Thanes held Fornebei (Formby) for three manors. There are four carucates of land. It was worth ten shillings.
Three Thanes held Elnulvesdd (Ainsdale). There are two carucates of land. It was worth sixty-four pence.
Steinulf held Holland (Down Holland). There are two carucates of land. It was worth sixty-four pence.
Ictred held Daltonc (Dalton). There is one carucate of land. It was worth thirty-two pence.
The same Uclred [held] Schelmercsdele (Skblmeesdale). There is one carucate of land. It was worth thirty-two pence.
The same Uetred [held] Literland (Litherland II.) There is one carucate of land. It was worth thirty-two pence.
_ Wibert held Erengermeles (Raven's Meols). There are two carucates of land. It was worth eight shillings. This land wis
quit [of every tax] except the gelt.
Five Thanes held Utcgrimele (Orrell in Sefton). There is half a hide. It was worth ten shillings.
Uetred held Latune (Lathom) with one berewick. There is half a hide [of land]. There is a wood one league long and half
a league broad. It was worth ten shillings and eightpence.
Uetred hem Mirletun (Huelbston, in Soarisbrick) and half of Merretun (Martin). There is half a hide. It was worth ten
shilhngs and eightpence.
GodeveheldMelinge (Melling). There are two carucates of land ; [and] a wood one league long and half a league broad. It
was worth ten shillings. ' l j do &
Uetrecl held Leiate (Lydiate). There are six bovates of land ; [and] a wood one league long and two furlongs broad. It was
worth sixty-iour pence. ^ l j -o & t,
u^'flZu Y'^ I^A ^°^^*f 11'''"^ f""" *"° '^^""'■^ i° -^^'''"™^ (Down Holland II.). It was worth two shniings.
t^c«r.dheldXc«r(ALTOAR). There is half a carucate of land. It was waste.
rZl^tfunT? ?m°'' '° Down Holland). There is one carucate of land. It was worth thirty-two pence.
Chtelhfd ffdeshaleCSALSALL). There are two carucates of land. It was worth eight shillings.
All this land IS rateab e to the gelt ; and fifteen manors rendered nothing to King Edward but the gelt,
and twn'sHlW. Th'^/e nf ff" vT''^' T^ '^' "^""'^^"''^ ^'^''^' '"''^'''^'^ *» ^'"^ ^'^^"^'''^ ^ farm a rent of twenty-six pounds
reredTour Jourds and7o7rLrslmS and '^t^^. ^''"' "^'^^^ ^^"'^'^^^ "^ '^^ ^^^^^^ ^'^^ '^^''^ '^^"^' ^^ ^^^ ^'^^^ "^
1 The terozcicfc was a small manor beloncrinff to .a aro-or n i*. t^ u .. .... , - . ...
■^ The hide was an uncertain and variable auantitv nf lan^ „« ti ?} °\ ^?-'^''-S°i^ T'as a tax ongmatmg out of the practice of buying
= The earucate, carve, or plough-Ian ™was 1 ke t&de innn.Prt.in til's D^in^h mvaders by the payment of arge sums of money. The
and variable quantity of laud to the la^tUne but three of the ™v ;T°"l'-,r ™f ^"^ originally one Saxon shUlmg (.afterwards increased to
of Uerby Hundred, are the words, "In every hid7th6rearp,ivn,.,?„?^ two shiUings) upon every hide of land in the kingdom. The tax was
of Und." This probably applies to all South Laneashirewfhinw^*! '^* ^'T'S.l'"^ ='*"'"* *'?'> T"'" 9»1'/""1 ^^^ Payment continued until the
the carucate was the sixth part of a hide whktsoever q?aa^^^^^ 3" ° ^f'^^"* t^" Confessor, when, in consequence of the great dis-
implies >-uoi..iui.vi,r quantity the latter content of the nation, it was remitted ; but in course of time or in the
- The leuva, here translated league, has often been rendered mile It ofThe^ZnarH^^Jlr " "'""' '" ''"' "'"" ''™""* '° "'" P"™"' P"''P°'"''
7:ilfto7^^ltlZZtS',TZi:i^Tr^X^^^^^^ „, .The;i..pte;'oryard-land,wastwobovateaoroxgangs,orone-fourth
about a mUe Ld a half of our present measure.-\V. bISoot. ^ ' '"' ' " ' """" " ™ quantity.
CHAP. III. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
39
All these thanesi were accuBtomed to render two ores^ of pennies for each earucate of land ; and by custom they, like the
yiUenis made the kmg s (manor) houses and what belonged to them ; and (constructed) the fisheries, aud the hays" and stands^ in
the wood And whoever came not to these when he ought, was fined two shillings, and afterwards came and worked until the work
was finished. Each of them sent his mowers one day in August to cut the king's corn. If he failed [herein] he was fined two
shillings.
If any freeman committed theft, or forestel,"! or broke the king's peace, he was fined forty shillings
If any one shed blood, committed rape, or absented himself from the shiremote without reasonable excuse, he was fined ten
shillings.
If he absented himself from the hundred court, or came not when there was a plea, and when he was summoned bv the reeve,
he made amends by five shillings.
If [the reeve] commanded anyone to go on a service [to which he was bound], and he did not go, he was fined four shillings.
If any one desired to withdraw from the king's land, he paid forty shillings, and had liberty to go where he would.
If any one desired to take up the land of his deceased father, he paid for it forty shillings as a relief
If he was not willing to pay this, the king took both the land and all the father's cattle.
Vctred held Crosebi (Crosby) and Chircheddc (ICirkdale) for one hide, aud was free of all customs but these six : breach of the
peace, forestel, heinfare, continuing a fight after oath given [to the contrary], not paying a debt until after judgment given, and
not keepmg a time. appointed him by the sheriff. The fine for these was forty shillings. They paid the king's gelt however like
the rest of the country.
In OtringemeU (Orrell in Sefton) and Herlcsliala (Halsall) and Hirelim (Taeleton\ there were three hides free from the
gelt of the carucates of land, and from forfeitures for blood or rape ; but they rendered all otiier customs.
Of this manor of Derhei (West Derby) the following men hold land by the s;ift of Roger of Poictou .-—Goisfrid two hides and
half a earucate, Hoger one hide and a halt, William one hide and a half, Warm half a hide, Goisfrid one hide, I'etiald one hide and
a half, Ilobert two carucates of land, [and] Gilehert one earucate of land. These have four carucates in their demesne, and [there
are] forty-six villeins,8 and one radman,' and sixty-two bordars,^ and two serfs," and three maid-servants. They have among them
twenty-four carucates. The wood is three leagues and a half long, and one league and a half and forty perches broad ; and there
are three aeries of hawks. The whole is worth eight pounds and twelve shillings. In every hide there are six carucates of land.
But the demesne of this manor, which Roger held, is worth eight pounds. In this demesne there are now three carucates and
six neatherds, and one radman, and seven villeins.
In Newton Hundred.
In Nciveton (Newtok), in the time of King Edn-ard [the Confessor], there were five hides. Of these one was in the demesne.
The church of the same manor had one earucate of land ; and Saint Oswald of the same vill had two carucates of land free of every-
thing.
The other land of this manor, fifteen men called JDrenghes^" held for fifteen manors, which were berewicks" of this manor ; and
among them all these men rendered thirty shillings. There is wood there ten leagues long and six leagues and two furlongs broad,
and there are aeries of hawks.
All the freemen of this hundred, except two, had the same custom as the men of Derleishire [West Derby Hundred], but in
August they mowed two days more than they on the king's tillage lands. The two [excepted men] had five carucates of land, and
had the forfeitures for bloodshed, rape, and pannage [in the woods] for their men. The rest were the king's. This whole manor [of
Netceton'] rendered to the king a farm of ten pounds ten shillings. Now there are six drenghes and twelve villeins, and four
bordars, who have nine carucates amongst them. The demesne is worth four pounds.
In "Warrington Hundred.
Kivg Edward held TValintune (Warrington) with three berewicks; there is one hide. To the same manor there belonged
thirty-four drenghes, who had that number of manors ; in which there were forty-two carucates of land, and one hide and a half.
Saint Elfin held one earucate of land, free of all custom except the gelt. The whole manor with the hundred rendered to the king
a farm rent of fifteen pounds less two shillings. There are now two carucates in the demesne, and eight men with one earucate.
These men hold land there : Roger one earucate of land, Tethald one earucate and a half, Warin one earucate, Radulf five
carucates, William two hides and four carucates of land, Adelard one hide and half a earucate, [and] Osmund one earucate of land.
The whole is worth four pounds and ten shillings. The demesne is worth three pounds and ten shillings.
In Blackburn Hundred.
King Edward held Blachebume (Blackburn). There are two hides and two carucates of land. Of this land the church had
two carucates ; and the church of St. Mary in Wlialky two carucates of land, [both of them] free of all customs. In the same manor
there is a wood one league long and the same broad, and there was an aery of hawks.
To this manor or hundred were attached twenty-eight freemen, holding five hides aud a half and forty carucates of land for
twenty-eight manors. There is a wood there six leagues long and four broad, and [the manors] were all subject to the above
customs.
In the same hundred King Edward had Hunnicot (HuNCOTE, near Dunkenhalgh), two carucates of land, and Waletune (Waltos-
le-Dale) two carucates, and Peniltune (Pendleton) half a hide. The whole manor, with the hundred, yielded the king a farm-rent
of thirty-two pounds and two shillings.
Roger de Poictou gave all this land to Roger de Busli and Albert Greslet, and there are so many men who have eleven carucates
and a half ; to whom they have granted freedom [from all customs] for three years, wherefore it is not now valued.
' Thanes were the nobility and gentry. ' Radman : a feudal vassal, attendant on the lord as his guard ; the
= The ora was not a coin, but money of computation, each ora being moro modem name being retainer. -C. ^^ , , , ^
worth twenty pence.-W. B. " Bordars were a class of small, unfree cottego tenants, bound to
•T Hays • railed or hedged enclosures in the forest. -C. supply the lord with poultry and eggs, and other smaU provisions for his
* Stahilllurie were the stands, stalls, or stations in the forest, where board or entertainment.— 0.
the deer might be aimed at and taken with less difficulty.— "W. B. » Bondmen.— C. . , , , , . , ^ », r
» Forestd fto steal before another) was the assaulting or obstructing •" Drenghes held their lands (manors or bcrcwicks) by f ree-socage, or,
of any person on the king's highway. Heinfan (qM. hind-departing) was in Anglo-Norman, " frank-ferme ; " the services of which were not only
a forfeiture for flicht for murder, for killing the lord's servant or hUid, or certain but honourable. According to Spelman they were such as at the
for enticinir or inveigUng him away. coming of the Conqueror, being put out of their estates, were afterwards
» Villeins or vilUi.ni so named from villa, a country farm, whereat restored thereunto, on their making it appear they were owners thereof,
thev were dependent to' do service. They were unfree, registered as of and neither in ttuxido or coii«;(io ag-.unst him -C. , ,-u
the soil and bound to till the lord's lands, holding by the base tenure " Bcrcwicks were villages or hamlets belonging to a manor, of which
called v'illenage.-C. mesne manors were made.- C.
4,0 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. hi.
In Salfokd Hundred.
King Edward held alford. There are three hides and twelve carucates of [barren or] waste laud. There is a forest three leagues
long and the same broad. There are many hays and an aery of hawks there.
King Edward held Radedive (BADCLirPE) for a manor. There is one hide, and another hide there belongs to Salford. The
church of St. Mary and the church of St. Michael held in Mamecesire (Manchester) one carucate of land, free from all customs but
the gelt.
To this manor or hundred belonged twenty-one berewicks, which so many thanes held for so many manors, in which there
were eleven hides and a half and ten carucates and a half of land. The woods there are nine leagues and a half long and five
leagues and a furlong broad.
One of these thanes, Gamd, holding two hides of land in Secedham (Rochdale), was free of all customs but these six, viz,
theft, heinfare, forestel, breach of the peace, not keeping the term set him by the reeve, and continuing a fight after an oath given
to the contrary. The fine for these was forty shillings. Some of these lands were free from every custom except gelt, and some
were free even from the gelt.
The whole manor of Salford with the hundred rendered thirty-seven pounds and four shillings. Of this manor there are now
in the demesne two carucates and [there are] eight serfs and two villeins with one carucate. The demesne is worth one hundred
sliilhngs.
Of the land of this manor these knights hold, by the gift of 2iogcr de Poictou : [i.e.] Nigel three hides and half a carucate of
land, Warin two carucates of land, another Warin one carucate and a half, Goinfrid one carucate, and Gamd two carucates of
land. In these [lands] there are three thanes and thirteen villeins, and nine bordars, and one priest, and ten serfs : they have
twenty-two carucates amongst them. The whole is worth seven pounds.
In Leyland Hundbed.
King Ed^oard held Lailand (Letlakd). There is one hide and two carucates of land. There is a wood two leagues long and
one broad, an aery of hawks. To this manor there belonged twelve carucates of land, which twelve freemen held as so many
manors. In these there were six hides and eight carucates of land. The woods there are six leagues long and three leagues and a
furlong broad. The men of this manor and of Salford were not bound by the custom to work at the king's hall, or to reap for him
in August. They only made one hay in the wood ; and they had the forfeiture for bloodshed and rape. In the other customs of the
other manors aljove [mentioned] they bore their part. The whole manor of Leyland, with the hundred, rendered to the king a
farm-rent of nineteen pounds and eighteen shillings and twopence. Of the land of this manor Hirard holds one side and a halt,
Robert holds three carucates, Radulph two carucates of land, Roger two carucates of land, [and] Walter one carucate of land. There
are four radmans, a priest, and fourteen villeins, and six bordars and two neatherds there. They have eight carucates among them.
There is a wood three leagues long and two leagues broad, and there are four aeries of hawks there. The whole is worth fifty
shillings. It is in part waste.
King Edward held Peneverdant (Penwoetham). There are two carucates of land, and it rendered tenpence. There is now a
castle there. In the demesne there are two carucates, and six burgesses, and three radmans, and eight villeins, and four neatherds.
They have four carucates among them all. There is half a fishery. There are a wood and aeries of hawks, as in the time of King
Edward. It is worth three pounds.
In these six hundreds, of Derby, Neioton, Warrington, Blachhurn, Salford, and Leyland, there are one hundred and ciighty-
eight manors. In which there are eighty hides, less one, rateable to the gelt. In the time of King Edward the whole was worth
one hundred and forty-five pounds and two shillings and twopence. When JRager of Poictou received it from the king ib was worth
one hundred and twenty pounds. The king now holds it, and has in his demesne twelve carucates, and [there are] nine knights
holding a fee. Amongst them and their men there are one hundred and fifteen carucates and three oxen. The demesne which
Roger held is valued at twenty-three pounds and ten shillmgs. Whit he bestowed on his knights, at twenty pounds and eleven
shillings.
[North Lancashire.]
Surveyed under the head of Earuicscire (Yorlcsldre).
Amodnderness.
In Prestune (Peeston) Earl Tosti^ had six carucates rateable to the gelt, and to it these lands belong : —
^sto« (Ashton-on-Ribblb) two carucates ; Zca (Lea) one carucate ; Salcioic (Salwiok) one carucate; Cliftun (Clifton) two
carucates ; Neutune (Newton with Scales) two carucates ; Frechdtun (Feeoklbton) four carucates ; Rigbi (Ribby with Weay) six
carucates.
Ckicheham, (Kirkham) four carucates ; Treueles (two carucates) ; Westbi (Westby) two carucates ; Pluntun (Little Plumpton)
two carucates ; Widetun (Wbeton) three carucates ; Pres (Preese), two carucates ; Wartun (Warton), four carucates.
^ lAdun (Lytham) two carucates ; Mcretun (Maeton in Poulton) six carucates ; Latun (Layton with Waebeeck) six carucates ;
Staininghe (Staining) six carucates ; Oarlentun (Caeletok) four carucates ; Biscopkam (Bispham) eight carucates.
Rushale (Rossall), two carucates ; Britne (Beininq) two carucates ; Torenton (Thornton) six carucates ; Poltun (Poulton in
the Fylde) two carucates; Singletun (Singleton) six carucates ; (9rme/io?/(GEF.ENHALGH) three carucates.
Eglestun (Ecoleston) four carucates ; another Eglestun (Eccleston, Great and Little) two carucates ; Edeleswic (Elswiok)
three carucates ; Inscip (In.skip) two carucates ; SorU (Soweeby) one carucate ; Aschebi (Nateby) one carucate.
Michdesecherchc (St. Michle-lb-Wyeb) one carucate ; Catrehale (Catteeall) two carucates ; Clactune (Clauqhton) two
carucates ; Neuhuse (Newhouse or Newsham) one carucate ; Pluntun (Great Plumpton) five carucates.
Rrocton (Beoughton) one carucate ; Witinghe/mm {WmtiiNaUAM) two carucates ; Bartim (Baeton in Peeston) three carucates ;
Gusansarghe (Goosnargh) one carucate ; Ilalctun (Haighton) one carucate.
Trelefelt (Theelpall in the Fylde) one carucate ; l-fatrim (Wheatley) one carucate ; Ohipinden (Chippinq)^ three carucates;
Actun (Alston) one carucate ; Fiscidc (Fishwick) one carucate ; Grimesarge (Geimsaegh) two carucates.
Ribelcastre (Ribchestee)' two carucates ; Bilevurde (Billsboeough) two [or three] carucates ; Suenesat (Swainset) one caru-
cate ; Fortune (Foeton) one carucate ; Crimdes (Crimbles) one carucate ; Ohcrestanc (Oaestang) six carucates • Rodediff
(Rawcliffb) two carucates; another Rodeclif {UAMaLiFFE) two [or three] carucates ; a third iJo&ciif (Upper, Middle, and Out)
three carucates ; ffameltune (Hambleton) two carucates.
1 Tosti or Tostig was second son of Earl God wine and brother of Harold tlio Confoasor, and succoodcd Siward In the Earldom of Northumberland
the livst of tho Saxon kings ; he was chief minister of state to Edward He was slain at tlio battle of Stamford Bridge, Septombor ioih 10613.— C
■■^ Chippinsj and llibcheater are now in JJliiokbum Hundred.— C.
CHAP. III. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 41
Stalmine (Stalmink) four caruoates ; Preasovcde (Pkeesall) six carucafces ; Midehope (Mythobp or Mythop) one carucate.
All these vills belong to Prestune (Pkeston) ; and there are three churches. In sixteen of these vilh there are but few
inhabitants ; but how many there are is not known.
The rest are waste. ' Soger de Poictoii had [the whole].
[In Lonsdale Valk.]
In Ualtun (Halton) Manor Earl Tosii had six carucatea of land rateable to the gelt.
In Aldedif (Aldolii'I-') two caruoates; Tiernun (TaonNHAM) two carucates ; HlUun (Hillham) one carucate; Loncaatn
(Lancaster) sis carucates ; Cherccdoncastre (Church Lancaster) two carucates.
Jlotun (Hutton) two carucates ; Keatun (Newton) two caruoates ; Ourctun (Overton) four carucates ; Middeltun (Middleton)
four carucates ; Bietune (Heaton) four carucates ; Ilessam (Heysham) four carucates.
Oxencclif (Oxcliff) two caruoates ; PoUune (Podlton-le-Sands) two carucatea ; Toredholme (Torbisholmf) two carucates ;
Schertune (Skerton) six carucates ; Bare (Babe) two carucates ; SUne (Slynb) six carucates.
Bodiltnne (Bolton) four carucates ; Chellet (Kellet) six carucates ; Stopdtierne (Stapleton-terne) two carucates ; Ncuhuse
(Newscme) two carucatea ; Chrenefurde (C.vrnforth) two carucates.
All these vills belong to Haltune (Halton).
In Witetune (Whittinqton) Manor Earl Tosti had six carucates of land r. teable to the gelt.
In Neutune (Newton) two carucates ; Ergune (Akkholsie) six carucatea ; Ghirsinctune (Gressingham) two carucates ; Ilotun
(Hotton) three carucates ; Canteafdt (Cantsfield) three carucates.
Irehi (Ibeby) three carucates; Borch (Bdrbow)^ three carucates; Lech (Leok) thiee caruoates [all in Lancashire]. Borctune
(Bdbtos-in-Lonsdale) four carucates; Bennulfeswic (Barnoldswick) one carucate; Inglestune (Ingleton) [in Yorkshire] six
carucates.
Custretune (Casterton) [in Westmorland] three carucates ; Birehrune (Babbon) [Westmorland] three carucates ; Sedberge
(Sedbergh, in Yorkshire) three caruoates ; Tiernebi (Tiernside, in Westmorland) six carucates.
All these vills belong to Witetune (Whittingtoh).
Twelve Manors.^Iu Ovstevvic and Heldetune (Austwick, in Yorkshir.', and Killington, in Westmorland) [there are twelve
manors — viz.], Clapeham (Clapham, in Yorkshire), Middletun (Middleton, Westmorland), Manzserge (Manseegh, Westmorland),
Cherchehi (Kirkby-Lonsdale), Liipetun (Lupton, Weatmorland), Preslun (Preston Patrick, Westmorland), Holme (Holme,
Westmorland), Bortun (Burton, Westmorland), Hotune (HuTTON Roof, Westmorland).
Wartun (Wabton), Clactun (Claughton), Catun (Caton). These Torjin held for twelve manors.
In these there are forty-three carucates rateable to the gelt.
Four Manors. — In Benetain (Bentham, Yorkshire) [there are four manors — viz.] WhUnctune (Wennington), Tathatm
(Tatham), Parleton (Farlton), Tunestalle (Tunstall).
Chetel had [these for] four manors, and there are in them eighteen carucates rateable to the gelt, and three churches.
In llougun Manor (Hawcoat in Dalton, Furness and Furuess Fells) Earl Tosti had four carucates of land rateable to the gelt.
In Chilrcstrevic (Killerwick) three carucates ; Sourebi (Si werby) three carucates ; Hielun (Heaton) four carucates ; Daltuiie
(D.vlton) two carucates ; Warte (Swaeth) two carucates ; Neutun (Newton) six carucates.
Walletun (Walton) six carucates ; Suntun (Santon) two carucates ; Fordebodele two carucates ; Hosse (Roose) six carucates ;
Hert (Hebt) two carucates ; Lies (Leece) six carucates ; another Lies (Leece) two carucates.'
Glassertun (Gleaston) two carucates; Steintun (Stainton) two carucates ; VUverton (Cliverton)'' four carucates ; Ouregrhe
(Obgrave, now called Titeup) three carucates ; Meretun (Marton, alias Martin) four carucates ; Pentiigetan (Pennington) two
carucates ; Gerleuuorde (Kirkby-Ireleth) two carucates ; Borch (Borrow) six carucates ; Btrrelsclge (Bardsey) four carucates ;
Wiiinfjham (Wittinghaji) four carucates ; Budele (Bootle, in Cumberland) four carucates.
Santacherche (Kirk-Santon) one carucate ; Sougenai (Walney) six carucates. All these vills belong to Ilnugun (Furness).
Nine Manors. In SlircaZand (Strickland) [there are nine manors — viz.] Mimet (Miket), Cherckebi (Kirkby-Kendal),
Ildsingetune (Helsington), Steintun (Stainton), Boddfurde (Bodelford), Jlotun (Old Button), Bortun (Burton-i.^)-Kendal,
Westmorland), Daltun (Dalion-in-Kendal, Lancashire), Patun (Patton-in-Kendal, Westmorland).
GUemichel had these. In them are twenty carucatea of land rateable to the gelt.
Manor. In Cherchebi (Kirkby-Kendal) [Manor] Duvan has six carucates so rateable.
Manor'. — In Aldinghame (Aldingham in Furness) [Manor] Ernulf'hd.A six carucates so rateable.
Manor. — In Ulurestun (Ulverston) Turulf has six carucates so rateable.
In Bodeltun (Bolton with Ueswick) there are six carucates ; in Dene (Dean) one carucate.
The King's Land in Craven, West Riding, Yorkshire.
In Mellinge (Melling), Hornebi (Hornby), and Wenningelun (Wenington) [Manor], f//had nine carucates rateable to the gelt.
In Berewicc (Borwiok), Orme had one carucate and a half so rateable.
The Land of Roger op Poictou.
In the two Manors of Lanesdale and Cocrekam (Lonsadle and Cockerham) Ulf and Machel had two carucates rateable to the gelt.
In the three' Manors of Estun (Ashton), Ellhale (Ellel), and Scozforde (Sootforth) Cliber, Machern, and Ghilemichd, had tix
carucates liable to the gelt ; [j.e., in Mstun two carucates] in Ellhale (Ellel) two carucates ; in Scozforde (Scotforth) two caruoates.
In Bicdun Manor (Bbetham, Westmorland), Earl Tosti had six carucates rateable to the gelt ; Roger of Poictou. now has them,
and Emuin, a priest under him. In Jalant (Yealand Conyers) four carucates ; in Fardlun (Fableton) four carucates ; in
PmiMrt (Preston Richard, Westmorland) three carucates. „,.,■,>. . ■ r 7 • /ti
In 5cremcc( Borwick) two carucates; in //en»ecas(re (Hinoaster, Westmorland) two carucates ; m Eureshaim (HEVEBSHai,
Westmorland) two carucates ; in Lifuenes (Levens, W estmorland) two carucates. °
1 Tl,. Mlnwini/ townshics aiuJ hamlets are not mentioned in the ' Under the heads " Yorkshire, the Land of Gospatrio West Riding,"
1, L,,\;(- rn^Tph Hnd in this part lay waste, viz., Barimm wiih and "The King's Land m Yorkshire," Mr. Beamont has nitroduced the
above aco"""" m^,,n„,, Rrockhola KMamcnih, Cabus Ctevety, Puliwood, following two entries, which are not found in this part of the Domesday
IT!,%T nt'd^rl^Uh Sewto° HoHM^Iloltnall, Kirktar^, Warbr.,k, Survey, as photo-zineographed, but whieh undoubtedly relate to Ulvor-
ThMleton 'J' f™™X "JSm PiMnO, MMlJon, Wray, Wyeridale, stone, the capital of Furness, in Lancashire: "In t^fi-atone [Ulverston]
1,^01 a;ul Coitom Xi ^f Xr «», V««, B^^'tdl with aUsJorth, and manor, Gospatrio had six carucates of land rateable to the gelt The land
Larbrick, Esprech, f°»""^J' *!''';" p' ' is three carucates. There are bow there four villeins, but they do not
other places, all in Arnoundemess. v. plough. The vUl is a league long, and half as broad. In King Edward's
I ^^ 1 Jl''^'fr' H.vf iTid one or two of the Leeces, were all on the time it was worth twenty shillings, now ten shillings." " In Ulvestime
I ^"nf^iMVohwe bin washed away by the sea.- W. Beamo,il. [Ulvebstone] manor, Oospatric held six carucates rateable to the gelt,
™''*' Sfverton, th°ch stooSon the banks at the lower end of Cartmel, The land is two carucates."
has been washed away by the sea.
42 THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. hi.
Of the different ranks of men mentioned in the Domesday Survey, it may be stated briefly
that the barons were of two classes — the greater, or king's barons, who held directly of the crown;
and the smaller barons, or those of the county who held under the earl. Thane was the Saxon
equivalent for the Norman baron. At the period of Domesday Survey thanes were, however, of
three classes : (1) the king's thanes, holding directly from the crown ; (2) those holding under
nobles, lords of mesne manors, or vavasors; and (3) franklins, freeholders, or yeomen, called
thanes, from their lands being hereditary and their tenure free. Again, there were two classes of
thanes — the ecclesiastic, called in Saxon mass-thanes, and the temporal or secular thanes. Both
of these were again divided into two classes ; the greater thanes were next in rank to earls, being
the king's thanes, and called Barones Regis. The inferior the Saxons called the less thanes, with-
out any addition, as the smaller barons, such as lords of manors, the less valvasores, or vavasors,
and freeholders. After the invasion of the Normans, many military men of that rank and appella-
tion, endowed with the title of knight, were called by the name of thanes, and afterwards of milites
or equites — knights. Freemen were all holders of land by free, as distinguished from servile,
tenure. Radmans, or road-men, were probably riders or horsemen, not always free ; drenghes were
a sort of allodial tenants, between the freemen and the villeins, rendering services to the lord, but
personally exempt from the performance of them, which was done by the villeins holding under
them. Bordars held their small portion of land by the service of supplying the lord's board or
table with poultry, eggs, and other small articles of food. The neatherds (hovarii) or hinds tended
the cattle, etc., and were less servile than the. villeins, whose tenure and service were servile, and who
Avere either regardant, or attached to the land, or in gross — i.e. attached to the person of their lord,
who was able to sell or dispose of them at his pleasure. The serfs (serui) were bond men and
women employed only in and about their lord's house. The villeins appear to have corresponded
to the Saxon ceorls, as the serfs did to the Saxon theows or slaves.
The great baronial proprietors, both Saxon and Norman, of the " Honor of Lancaster " were
amongst the most unfortunate of their order. The Earls Morcar and Tostig had suffered the fate so
common to men in exalted stations in those turbulent times ; and Roger de Poictou, the third son
of Roger de Montgomery, though endowed with three hundred and ninety-eight manors, as the
reward of the services rendered by his family to the Conqueror, was doomed to surrender them all
as the price of his rebellion. The proprietors, at the time of taking the survey, had greatly
increased in number, and the manners and customs of the people, as developed in the survey of
the six hundreds between the Mersey and the Ribble, form the most valuable feature of this
ancient record.^ The tenure by which the thanes held the land in the hundred of Derby was—
two ores of pennies for a carucate : this must have been most indulgent as far as the rent was
concerned, but the obligation to build the king's houses, to attend his fisheries, to repair his fences,
and to reap his harvest, would add not a little to the pressure upon the thanes. Such was the
inequality of the laws in these times that in some districts— Orrel, Halsall, and Everton, for
instance— the occupiers were exempt not only from the principal tax (dane-geld), but they were
exonerated from the punishment justly due to some crimes of the greatest enormity ; while, in
other places, the offence of rape, and of the tenant absenting himself from the shire-mote or
hundred court, were to be punished with the same severity— viz., a fine of ten shillings ' It appears
also that there were m these six hundreds one hundred and eighty-eight manors, and that their
annual value, when Roger de Poictou received them from the king, was scarcely equal to that of a
small estate m our times. The contrast between the nature of landed possessions in this district,
m the time when the dane-geld tax was enforced in 1086, and the time when the property-tax
existed in 1814, is the most striking; in the former all the lands between Mersey and Ribble were
valued at f 120-in the latter at £2,569,761. Allowing for the difference in the value of money at
the two periods, the statement will stand thus : —
Annual value in 1086, £120x110 = £13,200
In 1814 2,569,761
Increased value ... £2,556,561
The Saxon titles consisted of Etheling, Heretog, Ealderman, and Thane, but they all merged at
tlie Conquest into the more general and comprehensive title of Norman Baron. At the head of the
Capttanei Regm, or chiefs of the realm, in the earlier of these periods, stood the Ethelings. These
following SfcafpTop^Jc^t-'"''''-^'' '""' '""'"'"y ^'™" '" *^'" '™<^'' -^l " '« celebrated aa a place o£ security in troublesome times, in the
" When all England is alofto,
Safe are they that are in Cliristis Crofte ;
And where should Christis Crofte bo
But between Bibble and Mersey."
CHAP. m. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
43
were noble persons of the first rank, as princes sprung from the blood royal, and were endowed
accordingly with great fees and offices in the kingdom. Of this description was Edgar Etheling, but
the Conquest deprived him of his inheritance. Amongst the Saxons were certain magistrates called
aldermen. These were princes and governors of provinces, earls, presidents, senators, tribunes,
and the like. They were of different ranks, as Aldermannus totius Anglice (the alderman of all
England), in later times imagined to be capitalis Anglice Justiciarus (chief justice of England) ;
Aldermannus Regis (king's alderman), so called because he was constituted by the king, or that he
exercised regal authority in the province committed to his charge ; Aldermannus Comitatds (of a
county), sometimes taken pro Schyreman et ipso Comite (for the shireman and the comes or earl
hiniselt)._ The office of alderman was to inspect the county's arms, and to raise forces within his
jurisdiction ; to repress the refractory, and to promote public justice. The bishops were nobles
inferior in rank to earls. By the laws of Alfred and iEthelstan, the lives of the dignitaries, both in
the church and state, were valued, and the rate at which their heads were estimated serves to show
their relative dignity. The head of the archbishop, the earl, or satrap, was valued at 15,000
thrymses ; the bishop and alderman, at 8,000 ; the Belli Imperator et summus prcepositus (the
commander and chief officer ol war), or vice-comes (sheriff), at 4,000 thrymses. From which it
appears that the alderman held the middle station between the earl and the sheriff. After the
Conquest, the alderman's office grew out of use, and was superseded almost entirely by the sheriff.
Honors were hereditable before the Conquest by earls and barons, and for the most part to such
as were of the blood-royal ; hence the honor of Lancaster had been possessed successively by earls
Tostig and Morcar. By the Norman law, honors became a feudal patrimony of any of the high
barons, generally adjoined to the principal seat of the baron. The great baron of Lancashire,
Roger de Poictou,_so called from having married Almodis of Poictou, ranked amongst the Capitales
Barones, holding immediately from the crown. The barons who held of him were called Barones
Comitatus (barons of the county), and held free courts for all pleas and complaints, except those
belonging to the earl's sword. The ancient barons in their lordships or baronies took cognisance
of litigation and robberies, and enjoyed and used the privileges which are called sac, soc, tol,
theam, infangthef, fairs, and markets.^ The distinction between an honor and a manor consists
principally in the much greater extent for the former, and in the courts held in each. A manor
was composed of demesne and services, to which belong a three weeks' court, where the free-
holders, being tenants of the manor, sit covered, and give judgment in all suits that are there
pleading. But an honor has either a castle, as at Lancaster, or at least the site of a castle, or some
principal house of state, and consists of demesnes and services, to which a number of manors and
lordships, with all their appurtenances and other regalities, are annexed. To every manor a court
baron is attached. In an honor, an honorable court is kept once every year at least, and oftener
if required, at which court all the freeholders of all the manors which stand united to the honor
make their appearance, and in which suitors do not sit, but stand bareheaded. Over that court
should be hung a cloth of state, with a chair of state, upon which chair should be laid a cushion
made of cloth of gold, or what is becoming and decent for a place of honour, and upon which there
ought to be embroidered the arms belonging to the honor.
The barons of the honor of Lancaster, in the time of the Conqueror, are thus set forth in
Kenion's MSS. :—
"List of Babons Cum. Lanc. under Roger de Puictuu. Godefridus, bis sheriif of Derby — Yardfridua, Baron of Widnes—
Paganu3 Villers, Baron of Warrington— Albertus Grelle, Baron of Manchester— Buruu [Byron], Baron of Ratchdale and
Totington— Ilbert Lacy, Baron of Clitheroe— Warinus, Baron of Newton— Warinus Bushli or Bushel, Baron of Penwortham— Roger
de Montbegon, Baron of Hornby— William Marshall, Baron of Cartmel— Michael Flemingus, Baron of Glaston— William de
Lancaster and Robert de Furness, Barons of Ulverston— Wil. de Lancaster, Baron of Nether Wiresdal- Theobaldus Waller, Baron
of Weeton." — N.B. — Another copy says, " Theob. Pinctrna " {i.e. the Butler).
Roger Montgomery, or Roger de Poictou, as he is more commonly designated, the grantee of
the greater part of what afterwards became the county of Lancaster, and the richest and most
powerful of all the Conqueror's feudatories, forms such an important figure in the history of
Lancashire in Norman times as to render some notice of him necessary. The members of the
House of Montgomery took a leading part in the affairs of France and Normandy during many
generations prior to the fight at Hastings, and French as well as English chroniclers have given
many, though sometimes confusing and contradictory, statements concerning them. They were
descended from one of the fierce Scandinavian adventurers, who, under Rollo and previous
1 Sm was the power o£ administerinR justice ; Soe, of hearLng and at pleasure. Spelman calls it a right of trying tlieir bondmen and serfs.
determininK causes and disputes, with the power of levying forfoiturea Infangthef w^s the privilege of trying thieves taken within their lord-
and flne™loran acquitbrnce from payment of duties or tolls in every ship ; Ov.tfar,gthef, a royalty granted by the king, with power to try and
?:,rt-nf the kiDedom-r;<t.«w, a royalty granted over their villein tenants, punish a thief dwelhMg out of the baron s hbcrt/v or fte, for a theft
L well as over their Wives and children and goods, to dispose of them committed out of his jurisdiction, if he Ixj taken withm it.
44 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. m.
invaders, settled in the province of Neustria, and gave its new name to Normandy, and appear to
have derived their patronymic from their fief or estate— Mons Gommerici or Montgomery in the
department of Calvados. There is a charter contained in the chartulary of Troarn which is said
to have been founded by Roger Montgomery, son of Roger Magnus, or the great Roger, and the
great grandfather of Roger de Poictou, in 1022, in which he somewhat arrogantly describes
himself as Rogerius ex Northmannis Northmannus Magni antem Rogerii filius— 'Roger a
Norseman among the Norsemen— indicating that he was a Northman rather than a Norman,
and consequently of the older race of the wave which flowed from the North prior to the time of
Rollo. The interests of the family were largely advanced by a fortunate marriage made by Hugh,
the eldest of the five sons of Roger Montgomery, a descendant of the haughty Norseman, with
Joscelini, one of the nieces, or an illegitimate daughter, as has been suggested, of Gunnor,
wife of Richard I., Duke of Normandy. The eldest son of the marriage carried the fortunes of
the family to still greater heights, and laid the foundation of his territorial influence by his
marriage with Mabel, daughter and eventually heir of William Talvace, Earl of Belesme and
Perch, an alliance by which his position Avas at once established— the house of Belesme being, as
there is evidence to believe, a branch of the ducal house of Normandy. Through his wife, this
Roger represented the greatest family in Normandy, next to that of the ducal house, and it was
possibly m right of his wife that he ranked among the earls. The marriage is stated by Mr.
Planche, though on what authority does not appear, to have taken place in 1048, and a dozen
years later he had conferred upon him, on the forfeiture for treachery by Turstin, the viscounty of
Exmes or Hiesmois, a district or county Avhich in early times was held as an appanage by the sons
of the Norman dukes. Mr. Freeman relying very much upon the testimony of Wace, affirms that
this Roger was one of the companions of Duke William at Hastings, in 1066, and_ that he
commanded one of the divisions of the army engaged in that famous conflict. Wace gives some
minute particulars as to his share in the fight, but his name does not occur on the roll of Battle
Abbey, and Orderic Vitalis states distinctly that at the time of the expedition he was left Avith
Matilda, the duke's wife, as governor of Normandy. Mr. Planche has expressed a doubt as to the
reliability of Wace's statement, and still more recently Mr. Howorth has endeavoured to shoAv that it
Avas not Roger Avho married the heiress of Belesme, but his younger son of the same name — Roger de
Poictou, the grantee of Lancashire ; but if Mr. Planche's statement is correct that the marriage
Avith Mabel of Belesme took place in 1048, the third son of that marriage must have been
too young in 1066 to have been entrusted Avith the command of an important division at Hastings.
Whether Roger, the father, Avas at Hastings, or left at the head of Matilda's council in 1066,
certain it is that at the end of the folloAving year he attended the Conqueror on his return to England,
and then had conferred upon him the earldoms of Chichester and Arundel, as he had subsequently
those of ShrcAvsbury and Montgomery — the last being the only Norman name given to a county
in this island. By his marriage Avith the rich heiress of William Talvace, Earl Roger had five
sons and four daughters. Robert, the eldest, became Count of Belesme. Hugh, the second,
succeeded to the earldoms of Arundel and ShreAvsbury ; but it is Avith the third son, Roger, that Ave
are more immediately concerned. He married Almodis, Countess de la Marche, in her OAvn right,
Avhich title Avas used by Roger and his descendants as Count de la Marche in Poictiers, from Avhich
circumstance he Avas commonly knoAvn as Roger of Poictou, and it Avas on this Roger Avas conferred
the vast possessions in Lancashire, Avith lands in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, and
Leicestershire, in all 398 manors. Like many a proud noble, both before and since his time,
Roger de Poictou had his head turned by the extent of his possessions, and rebelled against his
sovereign. Having toAvards the close of William's reign espoused the cause of Duke Robert of
Normandy, the Conqueror's eldest son, he Avas, for his defection, deprived of his honours and
estates, Avhich passed into the possession of the CroAvn. On the accession of William Rufus they
Avere restored to him, in the hope that he Avould support the claim of the usurper, Avhich he did ;
but on the death of the king he declared for the real heir, Robert, against Ihe recognised
successor, Henry, Avhen he Avas again deprived of his possessions and banished the kingdom, his
princely inheritance passing to the king.
In tracing the barony of Lancaster, avc find the founder of this illustrious house to have been
Ivo de Talebois, otherwise Taillebois, otherwise Talboys, of the house of Anjou, Avho came over with
the Conqueror, and Avho, in virtue of his marriage Avith Lucy, the sister of the Saxon Earls EdAvin
and Morcar, seconded by the favour of his prince, obtained a large portion of the north of Lancashire,
and so much of Westmorland as comes under the designation of the barony of Kendal. The
Richmond Fee, the Marquis Fee, and the Lumley Fee, formed portions of this barony, and William,
the great-grandson of Ivo de Talebois, first caused himself, by royal licence, to be called William de
Lancaster and Baron of Kendal, before the kins' in Parliament.
CHAP. III.
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE.
45
PEDIGREE OF ROGER DE POICTOU, LORD OF THE HONOR OF LANCASTER.
Roger de Montgomery, son of Rogerus Magnus ; founder of Troarn (1022) ; exiled in Paris 1037 =•
I I \ -'
Roger. .«obert Hugh de Montgomery = Joceline, niece of Guuuor,
lmngi,,1060. | Duehess of Normandy.
I I
M'illiam, killed by Gilbert, killed by
BarnodeGlotie, Barno de Glotis,
1060. 1060.
(1) Mabel, dau. and even- = Roger de Montgomerj
tually heir of William
Talvace, Ct. of Belesme
mar. c. 1048; died 1086
Viscount of Exmes ,
created Eai-1 of Arundel,
Chichester, Shrews-
bury, and Montgomery;
died 1094.
(2) Adeliza, dau. of
Everard de Pusay,
standard bearer
of Robert Curt-
hose, Duke of
Normaudy.
Gilbert, poisoned
by his sister-in-
law, Mabel
Belesme,iul06o.
I
Other issue.
Everard de Montgomery, chaplain to
King Henry I.
I
Robert de Montgomery,
Count of Belesme,
Earl of Arundel,
Shrewsbury, fee,
1098 ; forfeited his
English earldom in
1102 ; imprisoned at
Wareham by Henry
I., 1113 ; married
Agnes, daughter and
heir of Guy, Count
of Ponthieu ; 1 st son.
Hugh, Earl of
Arundel and
Shrewsbury,
1094; slain in
battle in
A n g 1 e s e a,
1098; died
childless; 2nd
son.
I
Roger, surnamed = Almodis, dau. of
of Poictou,
Earl of Lan-
caster, Count
de la Marche
in right of his
■wife ; banished
in 1102 ; 3rd
son.
Audebert, 2nd
Count de la
Marche, in
Poictiers,
widow of . . .
Arnold, Earl of
Pembroke,
mar. the dau.
of the King of
Leinster; ban-
ished with her
brothers Robt.
and lioger in
1102; died
childless.
I
Philip died
at the
siege of
Antioch.
^ Ti r I
1. Emma, Abbess of
Almeneches.
2. Maud, wife of
Robert, Earl of
Mortain, half-
brother of
William the
Conqueror.
3. Mabel, wife of
Hugh de Neu-
chatel.
4. Sybil, wife of
Robert Fitz
Hamon, Lord of
Corboil, in Nor-
mandy, and in
Glamorgan, of
Wales.
Audebert, 3rd Count = Oungarde.
de la Marche ; died 1
1145.
I I
Eudes. Boson.
Ponce, wife of Walgrave, 2nd Count
of Angouleme.
Audebert, 4th Count=
de la Marche. I
I
Bosun.
Margaret, wife of Guy, Viscount
of Limoges.
Sybil, wife of
de Reigni.
I
Audebert, 5th Count de la Marche. Sold his county to Henry II., King of England, 1177.
" Succession of the Barons of Lanoashihe.— 1. Sheriff of Derby, Godfrid, Peverel, Ferrers. 2. Castellan of Liverpool,
Molineux. 3. Barony of Widness, divided between Lacy and Grelly. 4. Barony of Warington, Paganus, afterwards Butler. 5.
Barony of Newton, Langton. 6. Barony of Manchester, Grelly [La VVarre], West, Mosley. 7. Barony of Rochdale, Baldwin Teu-
tonicus, afterwards Byron. 8. Barony of Cliderow, Lacy, the Crown, Monk, Montague. 9. Barony of Penwortham, Bussell, Lacy,
the Priory, Fleetwood. 10. Barony of Hornby, Roger de Montbegon. 11. Barony of Furnes, Michael Fleming. 12. Barony of
Wiresdale, Wm. de Lancaster. 13. Barony of Weeton and Amounderness, Theobald Walter."'
"Stations of the Ancient Bahons.^ — Roger de Poictou, Earl of Lancaster, prudently stationed his barons in the most
vulnerable places, to preserve his earldom in quiet. 1. He built a castle at Liverpool against the passage over the water from
Cheshire, and there placed his trusty friend, Vivian Molineux, to be governor and castellauus in the utmost limits of his earldom ;^
and for his greater assistance he placed near him, at Derby, his vice-comes, Godefridus ; and not far above, at or opposite Runcorn,
being another passage out of Cheshire, he fixed Yardfrid, another baron, at Widnes ; and a little above that, at Warrington, another
passage, and near unto the church, was the seat of another barony, given to Paganus Villers, to defend the ford at Latchford, before
a bridge was made at Warrington ; and a little distance, at Newton, was the seat of the Banisters, a barony in King John's time, to
strengthen the former, and opposite a high ford or boat called Holyn Fare Passage, out of Cheshire, at Straitford, as well as to keep
guard against another Cheshire barony, called Stockport, he placed Albertus Grelle, an eminent baron ; then approaching the billy
mountain from Yorkshire, at a different pa3.sage from Ratchdale, an ancient barony, afterwards succeeded by Lord Buryn, the present
* From Percival's MSS. Tlie barony of Cartmel appears to be omitted.
2 From Kenlon's MSS.
' A castellanus is the prefect or governor of a castle, acting there in
place of the lord, and sometimes called castaldus, gastaldius ; his office is
called castaldia, caatallanea being first the name of an office and after-
wards of a dignity. These castellans were appointed by dukes and earls,
who enjoyed vast territories, and in some fortified places stationed
tnilitary guards or garrisons to repel enemies. They wore civil judges,
to determine the disputes of the people. Having become powerful, and
the sons often succeeding to the fatber's ofiice, they at last obtained from
the lords the right of holding ofiice in fee ; and by little and little passing
the bounds of their jurisdiction, they transformed the wand of an inferior
justice into the sword of the superior, making the force of the dignity to
consist more in the fulness of baronial power than in the mere name of
baron. Bpelman, p. 128, voce Castellanus.
46 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. m.
baron thereof ; then ascending easterly among those hills at Clidero, he placed Ilbert Lacy a baron, near the adjacent P^^^i"*"
Yorkshire : and more northward, not far from his own castle at Lancaster, at Hornby he placed Roger de Mot.tbegon. Then upon
the northern boundary, from the Scots in Cumberland, was placed at Gleston, M chael Flandrensis ; and shortly after the abbot of
Furness (4th W. Rufus, 1090-1), placed upon the west part, possessing the Foldra and Walney, who convened with William de
Lancaster; and long afterwards the king bestowed the same upon Ingelianus de Guyas m marriage with h,s sister ; afterwards it
was alienated, and cSme to the possession of the families of Kirkby and Tells. From thence returning southward to Kartmel, which
11 Ong John's time came to William de Marshall, governor to King Henry IIL, and proceeding southward on the river Wyre, one
side guarded by William de Lancaster, lord of that part of the barony of Netherwyrsdal belonging likewise to the lords of turness,
and the other side environed with the barony of Weeton, which (temp. W. Rufus) was an appendant to the barony of Penwortham,
and bestowed upon Abardus Bussell, brother of Warinus Bussell, and continued m the renowned noble family of Thobaldus Pmcerna,
from whom proceeded the Duke of Ormoad. And lastly, on that famous estuary of Ribble at Penwortham, where remained au
ancient castle from the time of the Saxons, here was placed the barony given to Warinus Bussell, who had this place bestowed upon
him temp. William the Conqueror, though it had then no baron. Leyland and great part o Amounderness did anciently belong to
the Bussells, for in the survey temp. Will. L, I find one Rog. de Busli and Albert Greslet, who had Blackburn hundred, and
afterwards, upon division between them, Greslet had part of Leyland hundred, as Brindle, Worthmgton^ etc. . . and a knight s
fee in Dalton, Wrightington, and P. . . .' which he gave in marriage with a daughter to one Orm^ the son of Edward o
Ashton-under-LineT Montbegon had another part of Leyland hundred, which he held as annexed to Hornby, as most part of
Croston parish- viz. Croston, Madeley, Chorley, Haskenmore, Tarlton ; and Hole, formerly part of Warinus s barony, belonged to
the ViUers, and afterwards to Montbegon, as likewise Sherington, Welsh Whittle, and ChernocGogard Adhngton, and Duxbury
belonged to Greslet. N.B.—'Vhe baron of Warington had divers territories in Derby hundred to be assisUnt to the baron of Derby,
and a fee or two in the hundred of Amounderness, as the baron of Manchester held divers fees iu the hundred of Leyland ; the
baron of Newton a knight's fee in Blackburn hundred," etc,'-'
The more particular succession of the barons of Lancashire will be most advantageously treated
in the hundreds to which the baronies belong ; but the rise of the honor into a duchy, and the
achievements of the noble and royal house of Lancaster, from the Conquest to the period when they
attained the consummation of their dignity, by giving a sovereign to the throne of England, belong
to this portion of our history.
The castle of Lancaster, built by Roger de Poictou, not only served as a military^ fortress to
preserve the power of his royal benefactor, but it was used also as the baronial residence. It
appears from the " Baronia de Manchester," that Robert Busli held Blackburn hundred on a
temporary tenure only for three years, hence it was not appropriated before Lacy was its lord ; and
the probability is that he held under De Poictou. In the reign of Rufus, Roger de Poictou granted
a charter to our Lady of Lancaster, to which Albert Greslet, the first baron of Manchester, was a
witness.' In the interval between the first division of property, under the Norman dynasty and the
Domesday Survey, the possessions of Roger were forfeited to the crown, by his defection from the
royal cause. The honor of Lancaster was, however, restored to him in the time of William Rufus,
but it was finally alienated on the banishment of Roger, in 2 Henry I. (1102). Fromthat
time it remained in the crown till it was bestowed on Ranulf de Bricasard (styled also De Meschines),
the third Earl of Chester. The precise time when this grant was made, and the circumstances
which called for so strong a manifestation of the royal bounty, are not ascertained ; but the following
translation of an almost illegible charter in the British Museum sufficiently authenticates the fact^ :—
"Rakulf, Earl of Chester, to his constable, dapifer, justiciaries, sheriffs, and bailiff, that are betwixt Ribble and Mersey, and
to all his men, French and English, greeting : — Know me to have granted and confirmed to the Abbot of Evesham, and the monks
there serving God, all possessions, lands, aud tenements, and all liberties given and granted by Warin and Albert Buissel in all
things ; and also that they may have their courts in Hocwice of all their tenants, as truly as I have mine at Penwortham, for him
and all his tenants, housebote and haybote, for building or burning, and useful for all other his necessities, without disturbance of
me, or of any in my name, or of any other whatsoever. I also will and firmly command, that no man against the same monks,
concerning my grant and confirmation, shall interfere upon any occasion, exaction, or confirmation. I will warrant the aforesaM
abbot, convent, and their successors, without fine or demand, for fear of my forfeiture, but they shall hold the same freely and
honourably in all places ; and I, Ranulf, and my heirs, the aforesaid concession and confirmation to the aforesaid abbot and their
successors will warrant and without fine. — Teste meipso."
1 ProbaWe Parbold. " Kuerdcn's MSS., folio 271.
^ It is riglit to Mfctte that these lists of baronies and barons, derived
from the MSS. of Kenion and Percival, have no satisfactory authority.— H. * lIai-1. MSS., cod 73S6.
CHAPTEE IV.
Territory of South Lancashire (between Ribble and Mersey), successively the Possession of Earls of Chester, of the Ferrers, Earls of
Derby, and of Edmund Crouchback, first Earl of Lancaster-His son Thomas, second Earl, executed, whose brother Henry,
third Earl, was succeeded by his son Henry, fourth Earl, created first Duke of Lancaster, and called " The Good Duke'-
John of Gaunt, second Duke-Creation of the Duchy and its Privileges-The County Palatine, its Chancery Court, etc-
A.D. 1128 to 1399.
URING the disturbed reign of Stephen, Ranulf or Handle, surnamed "Do
Gernons, from the place of his birth,' the fourth Palatine Earl of Chester
alter having surprised the castle of Lincoln, and taken the king
prisoner in the decisive battle fought there, February 2, 1141, possessed
himself of a third part of the whole realm of England,^ and amongst his
possessions were the lands ceded to his father, Handle de Meschines, between
the Ribble and the Mersey. From Ranulf or Randle, the son, they descended
(1153-55) to Hugh de Kevelioc, and in 1180 to Ranulf or Randle, surnamed
" De Blimdeville," son of Hugh, and grandson of the second Randle. Ranulf de Blundeville
surnamed " The Good," in 13 Henry III. (1228), had a confirmation from the king of all his
lands between the Ribble and the Mersey, and was made chief lord, under the king, of the
whole county of Lancaster, with all its forests, hays, homages, and other appurtenan'c'es. At
the same time he executed the office of sheriff by his deputies in the third, fourth, fifth,
sixth, and ninth years of that king. Ranulf paid down forty marks of silver for these lands
to Roger de Maresey, and afterwards two hundred marks more ; and agreed further to render
annually, at Easter, a pair of white gloves, or one penny, for all services whatsoever. This
earl, who built the castle of Beeston, in Cheshire, and founded the abbey of Dieu-la-Cres,
near Leek, in Staffordshire, after enjoying his possessions for many years, died at
Wallingford, Nov., 1232, and was_ buried at Chester. Having no legitimate issue, his whole
inheritance was shared by his four sisters and co-heiresses. Maud, the eldest, married David, Earl
of Huntingdon, brother to WilUam, King of Scots, and by him had John, surnamed "The Scot,"
who succeeded to the earldom of Chester f Mabil, the next, married William de Albini, Earl of
Arundel ; Agnes, the third sister, married William, Earl Ferrers, the sixth in lineal descent from
Robert de Ferrers, raised by King Stephen to the earldom of Derby, for his prowess at the Battle of
the Standard, in the third year of his reign (1137). The heirs of the first Earl of Derby Avere
usually called Earls Ferrers, though they were likewise Earls of Derby. This Agnes had the
manor and castle of Chartley, in Staffordshire, and the lands in that part of Wales called Powis ;
and also the manor of West Derby, and all Earl Ranulfs lands between the Ribble and Mersey ;
with Buckbrock in Northamptonshire, and Navenby in Lincolnshire. In the eighth Henry III.
(1223-4) William, Earl Ferrers, was constituted governor of the castle and honor of Lancaster ;■* and
the next year he executed the sheriff's office for this county for three parts of the year, as he did
likewise for the whole of the tenth and the eleventh years of the king's reign (1225-7). In addition
to £50 for the relief of the lands of his wife's inheritance, he and she were bound to pay yearly a
goshawk, or fifty shillings, into the king's exchequer, as had been usual for lands lying between the
rivers Ribble and Mersey. In 26 Henry III. (1241) he gave a fine of £100 to the king for the
livery of the three hundreds of West Derby, Leyland, and Salford, which had been seized into the
king's hands for certain misdemeanours of his bailiffs. This earl died on the 20th of September,
1247, and his countess survived him only one month — they having lived together as man and wife
seventy-seven years. William, Earl Ferrers, son and heir of the above earl and countess, had
• Gemon, or Vernon, in Normandy, the letters G and V in the begin-
ning of words being indifferently used. — C.
'■' Nichols's Leicestershire, to which we have been much indebted
for the historical materials relating to the illustrious house of Lan-
ca.ster. — B.
■■■ This John, the seventh palatine earl, married Helen, daughter of
Llewellyn, Prince of North Wales. He died childless in 1237, having, as
is beheved, been poisoned by his wife, when his possession should by
right have devolved upon his sisters, but Henry III., unwilling, as he
said, "that so great an Inheritance should be divided among distafiEs,"
took the earldom into his own hands, and gave them other lands instead,
of these sisters, Margaret, the eldest, was grandmother of John Baliol,
who became a competitor for the crown of Scotland. Isabella, the second
sister, married Robert le Brus, Lord of Annandale, and w.as grandmother
of the heroic Robert Bruce — the "Bmce of Bannockburn." — C.
* Uugdale's Baron, ex Pat. 8, n. 3, m. 12. There were eight Earls of
Derby of this family, whose name seems to have been spelled Ftrrara;
whilst that of their descendants, of Chartley, Tamworth, and Groby, i^
usually spelled Ftrrers.—'H.
48 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. it.
livery of his lands and castle in the year 1247; and the next year he obtained a mandate to the
sheriff of Lancashire for the enjoyment of such lands between Ribble and Mersey as his uncle
Ranulf, Earl of Chester, formerly possessed. He also obtained a charter for free warren, for himself
and his heirs, in all his demesne, throughout his lordships in Lancashire and elsewhere. Three
years afterwards he procured a special grant from the king of such officers, for conservation of the
peace between Ribble and Mersey, as Ranulf, Earl of Chester, formerly had, which officers were
maintained at the expense of the inhabitants. By Margaret, his second wife, one of the daughters
and co-heiresses of Roger de Quincy, Earl of Winchester, he had two sons. Robert succeeded him
in the earldom of Derby, and settled at Groby, in Leicestershire. This unfortunate earl took part
with Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, in the rebellion, and was in consequence deprived of
his earldom and all his estates in 1265, among which were all his lands between Ribble and
Mersey. These possessions Henry III. united with the honor of Lancaster, and gave to Edmund,
surnamed " Crouchback,"^ his youngest son, who, by that king's favour, was created first Earl of
Lancaster in 1267 ; and thus terminated the connection of the great families of the Earls of
Chester and Ferrers with the county.
EARLS OF LANCASTER.
Edmund Crouchback was the distinguished favourite of his father ; and on St. Luke's Day
COctober 18), in the year 1253, the king convened many of his nobles, along with the Bishop of
Romania, who came to him from Pope Innocent IV., and having brought a ring from his Holiness,
used it as a symbol to invest Edmund with the dominion of Sicily and Apulia, whereupon he had
the title of King of Sicily. This grant produced some of the most important events in our history ;
amongst others, the association of the barons against Henry III. ; the appointing of conservators of
the peace in this and the other counties of England ; and the settling of the democratical part of
our constitution on a permanent basis by Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, while the king was
his prisoner. Prince Edmund, about the same time that he took the title of King of Sicily, was
made Earl of Chester. Upon Innocent's death, Alexander VI. confirmed Prince Edmund in the
grant of the kingdom of Sicily in due form, but he never obtained possession ; but Pope Urban VI.,
by a bull in 1263, having revoked the deed, Edmund renounced the claim to the crown of that
kingdom. The prince was amply compensated for the loss of that imaginary power, for on the 4th
of August, 1265, his brother Edward having defeated the Earl of Leicester and his adherents, in the
battle of Evesham, the king, by his letters-patent bearing date the the 25th of October, created
him Earl of Leicester, giving him therewith the honor of Hinckley and the stewardship of
England. The next year he received from his royal father the honor, town, and castle of Derby,
with all the effects belonging to Robert de Ferrers, Earl of Derby. In addition to other grants he
received also the honor, earldom, castle, and town of Lancaster, with the forests of Wyresdale and
Lonesdale.^
The_ following year (1267) the king announced to his knights, vassals, and other tenants of the
honor of Lancaster, that he had given to his son Edmund that honor, with the wards, reliefs,
and escheats attached to it. In the same year, during the king's residence at York, he issued a
declaration, from which it appears, that although he granted the possessions in the county of
Lancaster to his son Edmund, for his.sustentation, that grant was not to operate to the injury of
Roger de Lancaster. The royal bounty was still further extended in the following year by a grant
from the king of possessions forfeited by the treason of Simon de Montfort.' In the year 1284
1 Edmund Crouchback was so named, not, aa is commonly supposed, of Surrey ; Humfrey de Bohun, Earl of Hereford and Essex ; Philip
from any Mtormity of person, but from hi3 having worn a cross upon his Basset ; Roger de Soinery ; Alan la Rusche ; Stephen de Eddeworthe ;
back in token of a crusadmg vow . ,,, ^ . , Bartholomew da Bigod, and others. Given by our hand at St. Paul's,
' In a footnote on this page Mr. Baines gives the substance of various Londou, 30th June, in the 51st year of our reign [1267]
royal gr.ante, &o., to Edmund Crouchback, in the original Latin, for = Three more Latin documents are appended in notes to tliis page, of
which we liave substituted an English translation of the essential parts which the following is the subsfcmee •—
of these documents :- ,^^^ ,,, 1- (52 Henry IlL 1268). -The king, to the knights, freemen, and all
1. (ol Henry HI. 1260-67) -The king grants to Edmund, his son, his other tenants of the honor of Lancaster, greeting. Whereas we have
?n ,^,S„So„H '/° "t ,° ™"^ ha^e'rec cliace and free warren in lately given to Edmund our son the aforesaid honor, with wards, reUefs,
all demesne lands and woods belonging to the castle. escheats, and all other things appurtenant and belonging to that honor,
.,.n„ i T'' r -^^ ^ ?? ?*,*'"' *"™'™'«1 Edmund the honor, &c. We command that to the same Edmund and his heirs, in all things
castle, and manor of Monmouth with appurtenances. that to the same honor belong, ye may be attentive (or maintenant) and
rrnl;,v!S~«Vi!,„f fi,^™.^ n," *'"> '°''™a™<=d idmund the castles of answering. Witness the king at Westminster, 8th February, 52nd year
Gro3,3emunde Skenefnth, and Blaunch-astel. of his reign. [8th February, 1268.]
^„v t.ril"fj' i.t?''^ 1 *l P-"^™"^;, ^^^' *,''■' t'^nts, &o., to 2. (52 Henry IIL 1268). -The king, &o. : -Wlieroas we formerly (or
our most dear son tdmund, the honor, earldom, castle, and vill of L.m- lately) committed to our beloved and faitliful Roger de Lancaster our
taster, with the vac.aries and forests of Wiresdale and Lonsdale, and county of Lancaster, with appurtenances, that he might have its keeping
JNewoastle-under-Lyne : and the manor, castle, and forest of. Pickering ; while he lived, so that he rendered to us yearly one hundred marks [£66
and our yill of Uounemecestr [Godmanchester] ; and the rent of our vill 13s. 4d.] to our exchequer ; and afterwards that county, with its appur-
ot Huntingdon, with all appurtenances. To have, &o., with knights' tenances, wo granted to our most dear son Edmund towards his main-
lees, adyowsons of churches, charters, liberties, customs, and all other tenance : Wo, willing in this respect to the same Roger, make our special
tnings, to r.ne honor, earldom, castio, vills, demesne, vacearics, forests, promise to him in good faith, that in the premises we will preserve him
and rent aforesaid, appertaining, &c. Witnesses— John de Warren, Earl free from any injury to which he may be liable at times. Witness tb«
CHAP. IV. THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIEE. 49
Edward I., in an inspeximus, dated at Lincoln on the 18th of August, confirmed the grant of the
honor of Lancaster made by Henry III. to his brother Edmund, and forbade the sheriffs of Norfolk,
Suffolk, Lincoln, Nottingham, Leicester, Derby, York, Rutland, and Stafford, or their officers from
entering the honor of Lancaster.^
These vast possessions laid the foundation of the future greatness of the house of Lancaster,
the power and influence of which increased to such a magnitude as ultimately to seat the family
on the throne of these realms. In 21 Edward I. (1291) Prince Edmvmd procured licence to make
a castle of his house in the parish of St. Clement Danes, in the county of Middlesex, called the
Savoy ; and he founded that house of nuns of the order of St. Clara called the Minoresses, without
Aldgate, in London. He also was the chief builder of the Grey-friars house in Preston, in this
count)'. This great earl, by Blanche, his second wife (his first wife, Aveline, daughter and heir of
William de Fortibus, Earl of Albemarle, died childless in the year of her marriage, 1269),
daughter of Robert, earl of Artois (third son of Lewis VIII., King of France), and widow of Henry
of Navarre, had three sons — Thomas, Henry, and John — and a daughter. In 24 Edward I. (1296),
being sent with the Earl of Lincoln and twenty-six bannerets into Gascony, they sat down before
Bordeaux ; but, seeing no likelihood of its surrender, they marched to Bayonne. Here their army
began to dissolve, on accoimt of their treasure being exhausted, and Prince Edmund became so
much affected by the embarrassments of their situation that he fell sick and died, about the feast
of Pentecost (May 13), 1296.
Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, the eldest son and immediate successor of Prince Edmund, did
homage in 26 Edward I. (1297-8), and had livery of his lands, except the dowry of Blanche, his
mother. After this ceremony, he marched into Scotland through Lancashire, the king himself
beino' in the expedition. Being sheriff' of Lancashire by inheritance, he appointed Richard de
Hoghton his deputy in that office. In the next year he was summoned to Parhament by the king.
In 4 Edward II. (1310) he married Alice, the sole daughter of Henry de Lacy, Earlof Lincoln,
and, in virtue of that marriage, became possessed of the castles and lands belonging to that
distinguished house With this accession of property the Earl of Lancaster became the most
opulent as well as the most powerful subject in England, and possessed in his own right, and that
of his wife, no fewer than six earldoms, attended Avith all the jurisdictions and power which in that
awe, and under the feudal system, were annexed to landed possessions. In the following year he
■wks the chief of those nobles who entered into a combination against Piers de Gaveston, the king's
Gascon favourite, who had bestowed on him the nick-name of " The Old Hog," with the avowed
intention of defending the religion of the state, and restoring the people's liberties. Being made
choice of by the barons for their general, the Earl of Lancaster sent messengers to the king,
requiring the delivery of Piers into their hands, or that he should be banished the realm. Such
was the inveteracy of the nobles against the royal favourite that it is said that Henry de Lacy
charged his son-in-law, the Earl of Lancaster, upon his deathbed, that he should maintain his
quarrel against Gaveston. This injunction the earl faithfully obeyed, and, alter a protracted
struo-crle with the king, the Earls of Lancaster, Hereford, and Arundel, having seized Gaveston m
the Sastle of Warwick, conveyed him to Blacklow Hill, a little knoll on the road near Guys Cliff,
where his head was struck off without the formality of a trial (1312). The king soon after
hearkened to terms of accommodation, and granted to the Earl of Lancaster, and to the other
delinquent barons, pardon of their offence, stipulating only that they should, on their knees, ask
his forcriveness in public.^ With these mild conditions they very cheerfully complied, and having
made their submission they were again received into the royal fayour. Gaveston was succeeded
in the royal confidence by Hugh le Despenser, or Spenser, and by his father, a venerable nobleman,
whose wisdom and moderation were not sufficient to check the opposite qualities m his son. No
sooner was Edward's attachment declared for the Spensers, than the turbulent barons, headed
kin,, at York, 15th Septexnber, 52nd year of his reign. [15th September, Hen^ '^-S.^rSfe'^^^lSy i?fl.f oi lltl^TIlt^^'^^^eTo
1268.1 , „, , • J. „ii v,!o T,.,Hnfi-= Urn • \frhprpii our dcarest brother Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, in thesewords : "Henry,
8. (53 Henry III. 12e9).-The king to aU his barlifft, &o. . Wherea^^ &" , to the sheriffs of the counties [named in the text] and to all other
by our charter we have given and granted *? °"' ^ffj^"'"" of the same sheriffs and stewards in whose bailiwicks the honor of Lancaster exists,
i-ffl, and castle of Leicester, andaU the lands and tenement of the same ^f™^ '\, „ j^ reciting the grant of the honor, &c. , this confirmation
honor, with knights' fees, and other its ^PP^^f «a^f ».^^>°?' '°™?J^y Kd" the sheriffs enumerated%ither to enter themselves or to send or
belonged to Simon de Montfort, Earl of Le cester "L-Jhrwa? which he permit their baihffs to enter or intermeddle with any tiling belonging to
according to the law and custom of O"-: '''°8'i™v''/ *hich at Evesham thithonor, or to the men of the honor, unless requ red to do so by the
excited against us in our kingdom, and by the ^^t«"" 7^J°° ^1^™^'^^^ baniffs of his said son. If any of them or their bailiffs should find or
he, our enemy, was slain, became forfeit ™d. escheated to us-to have ^^^™^^°"^ thing of those which to that honor belong, they are without
&c , to the same Edmund for ever : We, '';''"« '°?^°JXeSw"ich Sy to render it to the bailiffs of his said son. They are not to distrain
fully to the same son, grant to him the stewardship of England which ^elay to re. ^^^^^^ required by the bailiffs of the eari.]
the same Simon formerly had, to have &o. '/"/t^e whole of his^life with on^rgKi,^^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^^_ 1^^ ^^ ,
all things pertaining to the "^^^ ^^''"'^ft'Pv,,"/. veir of Ws ?e?m our rd™." [18th August, 126S.]-We accept these letters [patent] for
Witness the king, at Windsor, 9th May, in the j3rd year of his reign. ^J^^j'^f^^^^'^^^ ^eirs in the form aforesaid, &c.
^''^^ThislnspLimus of Edward I. recites the original grantof his father = Eyley, p. 538.
50
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. iv.
again by the Earl of Lancaster, concerted plans for their ruin, and manifested their discontent by
withdrawing from Parliament. One gross act of injustice so alarmed the Earl of Heretord thathe
complained to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, who thereupon mustered a number of the barons with
their adherents, at Shireburne, and from thence marched, armed and with banners, to bt. Albans,
on their way plundering the manors of the elder Spenser as they previously had those of
the son and with the determination to reform the administration of the government. The
barons 'next, marched to London with all their forces, stationed themselves in the
neic^hbourhood of that city, and exhibited before the Parliament, which was then sitting,
charees ao-ainst the Spensers, who were both of them at that time absent from the country.
These charo'es the lay-barons declared to be proved, and passed a sentence of attainder and
perpetual exile against the ministers as enemies of the king and his people (1321). The
Commons, though now an estate in Parliament, were yet so little considered, that their assent was
not required ; and even the votes of the prelates were dispensed with on the present occasion. To
secure themselves against consequences, the barons obtained from the king an indemnity for their
illeo'al proceedings.' The following year the king raised a powerful army, with which he marched
into Wales, and so far recovered confidence in his own strength as to recall the Spensers. Many of
the barons,' considering their cause hopeless, sent in their submission ; but the Earl of Lancaster, in
order to prevent the total ruin of his party, summoned together his vassals and retainers, and,
having received the promise of reinforcements, advanced with his forces against the king.who had
collected an army of thirty thousand men. The earl, being aware of the inferiority of his own
force, despatched into Lancashire Sir Robert de Holland (whom he had advanced from the humble
office of his butler to the dignity of knighthood, with a stipend of two thousand marks [£1,333]
per annum), to bring up five hundred men out of that county. The required force was raised
without difficulty, but the knight, it is commonly asserted, instead of bringing them to the earl,
conducted them to the king. The statement is, however, unsupported by any reliable evidence.
Sir Robert de Holland, after the defeat at Burton- on-Trent, surrendered to the king and escaped
the penalty of death, but the whole of his vast possessions were confiscated to the crown. There
was a belief that he had acted faithlessly to the Earl of Lancaster, and in consequence he incurred
such hatred from the people that, being found in a wood near Henley-on-Thames (2 Edward
III., 1328), he was seized and beheaded on the nones (7th) of October, and his head sent
to Henry, Earl of Lancaster, then at Waltham Cross. The charge of treachery has, however,
never been established, and Avas, in all probability, devised by the adherents of Earl_ Henry
to secure his removal, and thereby prevent his becoming repossessed of the manors which had
been conferred upon him by Earl Thomas. This is evident by the efforts made by Earl Henry
to prevent the restoration of the confiscated lands. On the l7th February, 1 Edward III.
(1327), the sheriffs were directed to seize into the king's hands all the confiscated estates, in
order that they might be restored to their owners.'^ In the same year Robert de Holland, and
Matilda, his wife, complain, by petition, that the king's writ of December 2nd has not been obeyed
by the sheriffs, and they pray for an Exchequer certification of their property then in the king's
hands.^ The certificate was granted, on which Sir Robert was opposed in council by the Earl of
Lancaster, who alleged that the writs directed to the sheriffs for livery of lands in their possession
were contrary to form and laAv, and prayed that they might be revoked.'' The proceedings in this
case are at great length, but Sir Robert was finally reinstated. The Earl of Lancaster marched
to his castle at Pontefract, the ancient seat of the Lacys. Having called a council of the barons
by whom he was surrounded, Avhich sat in the Black -friars in Pontefract, they advised him to
march to Dunstanburgh, in Northumberland ; but this advice he declined, and resolved to remain
at Pontefract, whereupon Sir Roger de Clifford, one of his knights, drawing out his dagger, swore
that he would plunge it into the breast of the carl if he would not submit to the counsel that had
been given to him. Under the influence of these cogent arguments the earl quitted Pontefract
and marched to Boroughbridge, where, finding the country-people in arms, and William, Lord
Latimer, then governor of the city of York, and Sir Andrew de Harcla, warden of Carlisle and the
Marches, ready to encounter him, the battle commenced without delay. The first discharge of
arrows from the archers of the royal army proved so fatal to the Lancasterian force that the earl
betook himself to a chapel, which he refused to yield to Harcla, though he saw his force partly
dispersed and partly destroyed. Looking on the crucifix in the chapel, he said : " Good Lord, I
render myself to Thee, and put myself into Thy mercy." His prayers were unavailing : the royal
forces entered the chapel, and the earl was made prisoner. To add indignity to his misfortune, his
■ Tottle's Cullcct., part ii., p. 64. = Rot. Parlt. v. ii. p. 1, c( .srj " ibid, p. 29. 1 Ibid, p. IS.
^^^^- IV- THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
51
enemies took off his coat of armour, and putting upon him one of his men's liveries, they
earned him hrst to York and afterwards to Pontefract, where he was pelted by the mob
and cpnhned in the tower of the castle. "Being brought into the hall, in the presence of
Kino* ho hoH C1nl-»^-/^■l-./^,-» ^f .-l^.-. + l, 1^ — il ' i' •* -n-.n-r^ ■, -. ^ ^^ ^
Without answer ? After quitting the court he was exposed to fresh insults, and being set
upon a wretched horse, without bridle, he was paraded through the streets with a friar's
hood upon his head. On his way to the place of execution, he cried, 'King of heaven,
have mercy on me ! for the king of the earth noios ad guerthi (hath abandoned us).' Having
arrived at a hill without the town, he knelt down towards the east, until Hugin de Muston
caused him to turn his face towards Scotland, when an executioner from London cut off his
head (March 22, 1322)." A number of the earl's followers were afterwards condemned and
executed, others fled beyond the seas, and, for a time, the public tranquillity was restored. His
character is differently estimated. His partisans represented him as a saint ; his enemies as a
sinner, and that of no ordinary magnitude. By the former he is said to have wrought miracles
after his death; by the latter he is described as a turbulent subject, an arbitrary master, and
a faithless husband. The just way to estimate his character is to make due allowance for the
prejudices both of his friends and his enemies, and the conclusion will then be that he was a
munificent benefactor to the poor, a devoted adherent to his own order, and a man of more than
ordinary mental powers ; while, at the same time, he was ambitious, incontinent, and disloyal.
Many miracles were reported to have been wrought at the tomb of this Earl of Lancaster ; and
the people flocked in great numbers to the place of his execution, till the king, at the instance
of the Spensers, set guards to restrain them. So great indeed was the veneration paid to him
that they worshipped his picture, which, with other things, was painted on a tablet in St.
Paul's Cathedral, London, till the king, by his special letters to the bishop, dated from York,
in June, 1323, inhibited them from so doing. Notwithstanding this inhibition, the memory
of the deceased earl was cherished with the deepest veneration ; and it was generally believed,
in that age of superstition, that, in addition to other miracles, blood issued from his tomb.
In the reign of Edward III. the king, in compliance with the wishes of his subjects, presented
a petition to the pope, beseeching him to grant canonisation to the departed earl Thomas;'
but it does not appear that this saint was ever added to the calendar.
Ancient slander asserts that Alice, the wife of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, was repu-
diated by her husband, on account of her familiarity with Sir Ebulo le Strange, a younger
son of Lord Strange, of Knockin. However this may be, after the deatli of her husband she
was married by Sir Ebulo without the king's licence ; and all the lands of her inheritance,
which were held of the king in capite, were seized and detained. This confiscation was not
relaxed till she delivered up those lands which lay in the counties of Lancaster, Chester, and
York, and gave the castle and lordship of Denbigh, in Wales, and also the castle of
Bullingbrook, in the county of Lincoln, and lands m other parts of the kingdom, unto
Hugh le Despenser, the royal favourite. After being divested of these immense possessions,
the lands which she still held amounted to no less a sum in annual value than 3,000
marks (£2,000). At the death of this lady, which occurred in 1348, all the lands of
that great inheritance, which descended to her from Henry de Lacy, late Earl of Lincoln,
by virtue of the grant made by her father and by the grant of King Edward I., came to
Henry, Earl of Lancaster, afterwards the Duke of Lancaster, which lands lay in the
Blackburn hundred, Rochdale, Tottington, and Penwortham, in the county of Lancaster;
Halton in the county of Chester ; Bowland and Snaith, in the county of York ; and divers
other parts of the kingdom.
A household book of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, preserved in the records of Pontefract,
and quoted by Stow, exhibits a curious illustration of the manners and customs of_ the
early part of the fourteenth century. This book, kept by Henry Leicester, his cofferer,
shows the amount of the disbursements of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, in his domestic expenses,
for the year 1313, which were no less than £7,359 13s. Of d. At that time silver _ was of
the value of one shilling and eightpence the ounce, or 20s. the pound troy. His total
expenses, therefore, in one year, amounted in our money to about twenty-two thousand
pounds — an immense amount, when the great disparity in the price of provisions between
that time and this is considered.
1 Eot. Rom. et Franc. 1 Edw. III. [1337] ii. 4 in Turr. Lond.
52
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. IV.
Household Book of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, in the Year 1313.
£ s. d.
Charge of the pantry, buttery, and kitchen 3405
To 184 tuns 1 pipe of red or claret wine, and two tun.s of white wine 104 17 6
To grocery 180 17
To 6 barrels of sturgeon 19
To 6,800 stock-fishes, so-called, and for dried fishes of all sorts, as lings, haberdines [salted cod], &c. 416 7
To 1,714 pounds of wax, vermihon, and turiientine 314 7 4J
To 2,319 pounds of tallow-candles for the household, and 1870 of lights for Paris candles called
perchers 31 14 3
To charge of the earl's great horses^ and servants' wages 486 4 3 J
To linen for the earl and his chaplains, and for the pantry 43 17
To 129 dozen [skins] of parchment, and ink 4 8 S^
To 2 cloths of scarlet for the earl's use ; one of russet for the bishop of Anjou ; 70 of blue
for the knights ; 28 for the esquires ; 15 of medley for the clerks ; 15 for the officers ;
19 for the grooms ; 6 for the archers ; 4 for the minstrels and carpenters, with the
sharing and carriage for the earl's liveries at Christmas 460 15
To 7 furs of variable miniver, or powdered ermine, 7 hoods of purple, 395 furs of budge'' for the
liveries of barons, knights, and clerks ; 123 furs of lamb, bought at Christmas for
the esquires 147 17 8
To 65 saffron-coloured cloths for the barons and knights in summer ; 12 red cloths for the clerks ;
26 ray cloths for the esquires ; 1 for the oificers ; and 4 ray cloths'* for carpets in the hall. 345 13 8
To 100 pieces of green silk for the knights ; 14 budge furs for surcoats; 13 hoods of budge for
clerks; 75 furs of lambs for liveries in summer, with canvas and cords to truss them 72 19
To saddles for the lord's summer liveries 51 6 8
To 1 saddle for the earl, of the prince's arms 2
To several items [the particulars in the account defaced] 241 14 IJ
To horses lost in the service of the earl 8 6 8
To fees paid to earls, barons, knights, and esquires 623 15 5
To gifts to knights of France, the queen of England's nurses, to the countess of AVarren,
esquires, minstrels, messengers, and riders 92 14
To 168 yards of rus5et cloth, and 24 coats for poor men, with money given the poor on Maundy
Thursday 8 16 7
To 24 silver dishes ; 24 saucers ; 24 cups ; 1 pair of paternosters ; 1 silver coffer ; all bought this year 103 5 6
To diverse messengers about the earl's business 34 19 8
To sundry things in the earl's chamber 5
To several old debts paid this year 88 16 Of
The expenses of the countess at Pickering, in the pantry, buttery, kitchen, &c 2S5 13 4^
In wine, wax, spices, cloths, furs, &c., for the countess's wardrobe 154 7 i\
Total £7359 13 oj
_ A maximum on the price of provisions was established by royal proclamation in 1314, by
■which the following rates Avere fixed : —
ij o'^l^? ^^f grass-fed ox alive, 16s. ; the best grain-fed ox, £1 4s. ; the best cow alive and fat, 123. ; the best hog of two years
old 3s. 4d.; the best shorn mutton, Is. 2d. ; the best goose, 3d. ; the best capon, 2Jd. ; the best hen, 1 Jd. ; the best chickens, 2 for
1 jd. ; the best young pigeons, 3 for Id. ; 20 eggs, Id. This maximum, after existing for twelve years, was repealed in the year 1 326."
Henry, brother and heir of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, obtained a grant of the custody of the
castles and honors of Lancaster, Tutbury, and Pickering, 20 Edward II. (1326) ; and in the first
year of Edward III. (1327) an Act was passed for reversing the attainder of his unfortunate brother ;
whereupon he became possessed of all the lands and lordships which had been seized on the death
ot his brother, namely, the earldoms of Lancaster and Leicester, and all the other lands of Avhich
Jlidmund his father and Thomas his brother were formerly possessed. This document, which is
preserved m the national archives in the Tower of London, serves to shed much lio-ht upon the
local history of the age.^ The life of this earl was not remarkable for any great p°olitical event
connected with the house of Lancaster. He died in 1345, leaving issue, by Maud, his wife, daughter
' Lamb"lSn'd?e<,*,'^d wUb ^ZT T^ f "''^"y »'^°»t L^OO. Geoffrey dr Werbubton, sheriff of Lancashire.
» sCned c?oths " ™'«''"-'^''' JOHK DE Kylvvnton, custodian of tlio lienor of Vykeryng.
- Acr of Rest.tutiovt Zttebury ™"'' '="''°'*'™ °^ Melbourne & farmer of the honor of
^^fo^^^Z^:^!^.^^^^:^^^^:^^, 'Tol^Zrf ?™-^^ - ^r Sx^-J^armer of the vill of Rolloston.
Lancaster and Leice-stcr: brother md hdr ofllinma? ^S ^ } f «""■"" "" ^^If''"-^- '-"'"ler of the lu^uor of Barton.
Lancaster, deceased, for all laXandtSementawliirlTb^^n™^^ "' Richakd de Wvthenhull, Nicholas de Salopia, & their folbws,
SS&xi?iSsr.5S?SS'HSS «=S5— — . * - — ■ — °' -
t^ '=.^hlS^^^^MB€tB^^^BB '-7^"-jF|~^ * their fellows, farmers of the mano.
JoHs DE Lancaster, custodian of the honor of Lancaster. •' membeis.
«HAP. IV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
53
and heir of Sir Patrick Chaworth, Knight, Lord of Kidwelly, Henry, his son and heir, and six
daughters : Maud, married (1) to William de Burgh, Earl of Ulster, hy whom she had an only
daughter, Elizabeth, who married Lionel, Duke of Clarence, second son of Edward III. and (2)
Ralph son and heir of the Earl of Sufiblk ; Blanche, to Thomas Lord Wake, of Lydell ; Eleanor (1)
to John de Beaumont, Earl of Buchan, (2) to Richard Fitz-Alan, Earl of Arundel, having the
pope s dispensation for the same, on account of their affinity, and likewise because in his tender
years he had contracted matrimony with Isabel, the daughter of Hugh le Despenser, his kinswoman
in the second degree of consanguinity ; Isabel, abbess of Amesbury ; Joan, married to John, Lord
Mowbray of Axholme ; and Mary, to Henry, Lord Percy.
-7 -cj'^^^j'^TTT^^ ^^^ ^^'^^ °^ Henry, surnamed Grismond, from the place of his birth, obtained, in
7 Edward III. (1333), a grant from his father, dated at Kenilworth, 28th December, of the castle
and town of Kidwelly, with the whole territory of Carnwathland ; as also of the castles of
Oggemor, Grossmont, Skenefrith, and the Manor of Ebboth. In 9 Edward IIL (1335) he was
in the expedition to Scotland, at which time he gave such proof of his valour and military skill
that he obtained from the king a grant of certain lands at Berwick-upon-Tweed, which had
belonged to Peter de Kymeringham. On the 7th of April, 1336, he was made captain-general of
the king's army in that realm ; and in May following he received the title of banneret. Two
years afterwards he was advanced to the title and dignity of the Earl of Derby ; having besides
the annual fee of £20 per annum (usually given in lieu of the third penny of the pleas of the
county, which the earls anciently had), a pension of 1,000 marks (£666 13s. 4d.), to be received
yearly during his father's life, out of the customs of London, Boston, and Kingston-upon-Hull,
until the king should otherwise provide for him in lands, or rents, of that value. Shortly after
this. King Edward, designing to clear the Isle of Cadsant of the garrison which the French had
placed there, sent over this earl with considerable forces ; where', upon the first encounter, the
gallant Earl of Derby advanced so far that he was struck down, Avhen, by the valour of the
famous Sir Walter Manney, he was raised up, and placed out of danger ; the gallant knight
crying, " Lancaster for the Earl of Derby. "^
In 16 Edward III. (1342) the earl was in another expedition into France, having with him of
his retinue 5 bannerets, 50 knights, 144 esquires, and 200 archers on horseback ; and had for his
wages in that service an assignation of a hundred and eighty sacks of wool, taking for himself
eight shillings per diem, for every banneret four shillings, every knight two shillings, every
esquire one shilling, and every archer sixpence. He had also the same year an assignation of
1,000 marks for guarding the marches of Scotland. In 18 Edward III. (1344) the Earl of
Lancaster was engaged in another expedition to the south of France ; and, according to Walsing-
ham, after taking the strong town of Brigerac, he subjected no less than fifty-six cities and places
of note to the dominion of King Edward ; and such was the terror of his name that the cry of
"A Derby!" "A Derby!" carried dismay into the enemy's camp. In this year of his great
exploits his father died, as already mentioned, on which the Earl of Derby succeeded to the
honor, castle, and earldom of Lancaster, and was made the king's lieutenant in Aquitaine.
The famous Order of the Garter was first instituted in 1349 ; of which, next to the king.
Prince Edward was the first knight-companion, and the Earl of Lancaster the second.-
After the siege of Poictiers, of which the Earl of Lancaster, Derby, and Leicester was the hero,
he was appointed" by the king, together with William de Clinton, Earl of Huntingdon, Renaud de
Cobham, Sir Walter Manney, William Lovell, and Stephen de Consintone, to hear and determine
all disputes relating to arms. At this time he had of his own retinue 800 men at arms, and 2,003
archers, with 30 banners, and kept such hospitality that he spent a hundred pounds a day. After
the truce, it was found also that he had expended, in those wars of France in which the battles
of Crecy and of Poictiers were fought, about seventeen thousand pounds sterling, besides the pay
John de Ktnardeseye, Walter Walteshef, fc their fellows, farmers of ' Sir John Froissart's Clironicles, liv. i. chap. 30.
the wapentake of Wirkesworth & Asseboume, with the members. ' The number received into this order consists of twenty-five persons
Lauf.ence Coterell, <fe his fellows, farmers of the lead-mines of the same besides the sovereign ; and as it has never been enlarged, except as
wapentake hereafter stated, the value of this badge of honourable distinction
Nicholas de h'unoebford, farmer of the quarry of Eoweclif. continues unimpaired. The particular cause of its origin is unknown ;
Thomas de Eadeclive, Henry de Bek, farmers of the manors of Spondon. but a story prevails, that the mistress of Kmg Edward, at a court ball,
William Cokknv, farmer of the borough of Assheboume. dropped her garter, and the king, taking it up, observed some ol the
Gilbert Henry de Yoxhale, farmer of the hundred of Grescleie. courtiers to smile significantly, as if they thought ho had not obtained
Edmund de Assheby keeper of the fees of the honor of Lancailter in the the favour by accident ; upon which he exclaimed, Horn soit (jtu wmt y
counties of Lincoln, Notyngham, Stafford', & York, & of the manors ;i«Me" (Evil be to him that evil thinks), which was adopted as the
of Wadinton & Alkeborugh motto of the order. By a statute of January 17th, 1S06, it was ordained
John de Wyvill, farmer of the manor of RideUnton. that the order should consist of the sovereign and twenty kmghts
ElCHARD DE Whatton, lato farmer of the courts of BothemcshuU & Crop- companions, always including in their number the Prince of Wales,
hull in the county of Notingham. together also with sueh lineal descendants of George HI. as might be
MARY^^'ointe^ of Pembroke ll the manor of Hegham. elected from time to time. Special ^""'T^ISf,"??.^ oTwho^ hai°e'
WILLMM Trussel, escheator on this side [i.e. south of] Trent, the admission of sovereigns and extra knights, f^^ 'f ^^ °^^^Z^tl>
Simon de Grymesby, escheator beyond {i.e. north of] Trent. however, always been incorporated into the number of the Companions
Odo de Stok, late keeper of the castle of Kenilworth. on the occasion of vacancies.— C.
64 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. iv.
"vvliich he had from the king. In consideration whereof he obtained a grant, bearing date from
the camp before Calais, 21 Edward III. (1347), to himself and his heirs-male, of the castle and
town of Brigerac, which was one of the places he had taken by strong assault ; likewise of all the
lands and goods which he had taken at St. John d'Angelyn, until their ransom were satisfied ; and
soon after he procured another grant to himself and his heirs-male, of Horeston Castle, in the
county of Derby, and the annual rent of forty pounds issuing out of the town of Derby. Soon
after this he was constituted the king's lieutenant and captain-general in the parts of Poictou ;
he then bore the titles of Earl of Lancaster, Leicester, Lincoln, Derby, Grismond, and Ferrers ; he
was made by David Bruce, King of Scotland, Earl of Moray, and, to crown his dignities, and to
rcAvard his merit, the title of Duke of Lancaster was conferred upon him by special charter bearing
date March 6th, 26 Edward III. (1353).
DUKES OF LANCASTER.
Henry, the first Dulce of Lancaster, having received his title to the dukedom by the general
consent of all the prelates and peers then sitting in Parliament at Westminster, for his hfe, he was
invested therewith by cincture or girding of a sword, with power to have a chancery in the
county of Lancaster, and to issue out writs there, under his own seal, as well touching pleas of the
crown as any other relating to the common laws of this realm ; as also to enjoy all other liberties
and " Jura Regalia " belonging to a county palatine, in as ample a manner as the Earl of Chester was
known to have within that county. Under the term " Jura Regalia," says Sir Thomas Hardy,
the late Deputy-Keeper of the Public Records, " the Duke of Lancaster had the exclusive
administration of justice by his Courts of Equity and Common Law in the Duchy and Palatinate of
Lancaster. These courts (closely analogous in their construction and in their practice to the King's
Superior Courts) consist of a Court of Chancery, a Court of Common Pleas for the decision of civil
suits, and a Court of Criminal Jurisdiction. The judges of the Common Law Court are appointed
by royal commission under the seal of the County Palatine, the judges selected being now the
Crown Judges appointed for the northern circuit, and the practice in the court resembles, as
nearly as circumstances will admit, that of the Court of Common Pleas at Westminster. By the
operation, however, of the Judicature Act, 36 and 37 Vict., c. 66, s. 16, the jurisdiction of the
Court of Common Pleas at Lancaster has been transferred to the High Court of Justice. The
Court of Criminal Jurisdiction in no way differs from that of the Queerr's ordinary court."^
In the Harleian MSS. in the British Museum' a document is preserved, containing the names
of some of the principal and subordinate officers of the Duchy of Lancaster, with a list of the
salaries paid for their services, of which the following is a translation : —
Fees and Wages op the Ofpioees within the King's Duchy op Lancaster, made in
THE 22nd op the Eeign op Edward IV. (1482). £ g. d.
Richard, Duke of Gloucester, head-steward there, per ann 6 13 4
Thomas Mohneux, constable of the castle of Liverpool !..!!"".!!!!!!!.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 6 13 4
The same, head-forester of Simon's Wood, and King's parker of Croxteth .' .'..'.".'..'.'..'."'.' 3 10 4
The same, high-steward of West Derbyshire and SaKordshire .'..'.','..'.'......'...'..'.'.'.'.'.' 5
Thomas, Lord Stanley, receiver of the county of Lauo. per ann .'...,.'.'.'.'..'.'.,'. 6 13 4
Hugh Worthington, forester of Quernmore 4 11
Two foresters of Wire.sdale, each of them per ann. 30s. 4d ..'.'.'.'.......'..'.....'........'.......'.,.'.'.......'.'.','.'. 3 8
Richard Pilkington, keeper of the park of Hyde and Fulvvood, per ann.... .'.'...'.,'."..'. 1 10 4
Thomas, Lord Stanley, parker of the park of Toxteth '......!...!!..!.'.".'. 3 8
Thomas Richardson, one forester of the wood of Mirescough !..!...!!!!!"!!!!!!]!!! 3 8
John Adamson, another forester of the same wood, per ann 3 8
Two foresters in Blesedale, per ann ' ' 1 10 4
Sir James Harrington, knt., seneschal of Lonsdale and Amounderness!!!!..!.......!!.'.'...!!."]!.".','.'.'.'.'.' 4 4
The same Sir James, keeper of the park of Quernmore, per ann. . 2 5 6
Thomas Thwayte, chancellor of the county p.ilatine of Lane .'.'!!!!!."!!!!!!.','!!!!! 40
Sir H. Fairfax, knt., chief justice of the king at Lane, per ann !!!!!!!!!.!!! 26 13 4
Richard Pigot, another king's justice at Lane, per ann 23 6 8
John Hawardyn, king's attorney-general at law there, per ann'.' !!!!!.!!!!.!"..'! 6 13 4
John Lake, clerk of crown pleas "00
John Bradford, clerk of common pleas 2
John Lake, William Bradford and John Bradtord;'cierk3''of''kle''cro'w'u'in''co;'La'no'.'in'time''of''s'essio'ns;
ortheirwagesfor 40 days, eachof them 23. perday ... 6
Ranulphus Holcrof te, baron of the king's bench at Lancaster, per ann. 4
Ihomas Bolron.cner of all sessions and courts of the king within the county of Lane., per anu 2
Ihomas Ratchff, Esq., constable of the king's castle of Lancaster, per ann. 13 6 8
IhomasBarowe, master-mason of the king's castles within the counties of Lancaster and Chester 12 3 4
Peter Wraton, king s carpenter at Lancaster, and clerk of the king's works there 7 3 8
Total
.£200 1 2
' Thirty-fifth Report, p. viii. = Cod. 433. fo. 317 a.
CHAP. IV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
5.5
Clyderowb, with its Members. £ ^^ ^^
Eichard, Duke of Gloucester, steward of the lordship of Penwortham 10
Thomas, Lord Stanley, receiver of the lordship of Clyderowe '..',...........'...... 6 13 4
Brian Talbot, constable of the castle of Clyderowe 10
Roger Bauaster, porter of the castle there, per aun 2 8
John Cays, parker of the park of Musbury, per aun 1 10 4
John Talbot, parker of the park of IghtenhuU, per ann ,,,[ 2 8
Robert Harington, parker of the park of Radam, per ann '....'............"..'. 1 10 4
John Hunter, keeper of the chaoe of Trowdon, per ann ] 2 8
Richard Shrobury, keeper of the park of Lathegry ne, and paler of the same 2 5 6
Total £29 1 6
The Duke of Lancaster, deeply imbued with the chivalrous spirit of the age in which he lived,
obtained a licence from the king to proceed to Syracuse to fight against the infidels. To guard
against the possible consequences of this crusade, he obtained a royal grant, providing that, in case
he should depart this life before his return, his executors should retain all his estates, castles,
manors, and lands in their possession, until his debts were discharged. On his journey he was
taken prisoner in Germany, and constrained to give three thousand scutes of gold for his liberty.^
This surprisal was made at the instance of the Duke of Brunswick ; and learning, before he came
to his destination, that the Christians and the pagans had made a truce, he returned to Cologne,
where he observed " that it did not belong to a person of the Duke of Brunswick's rank to deal
with a stranger in the manner that the duke had dealt with him ; that he had never offended
him ; and that if the duke thought proper to interfere with his concerns he would find him ready
to play a soldier's part." This conversation having been communicated to the Duke of Brunswick,
he sent the Duke of Lancaster a letter of challenge to meet him at Calais in single combat. The
Duke of Lancaster accepted this challenge with alacrity, and taking with him fifty knights and a
large retinue, he proceeded towards the scene of action. A rencounter between two personages of
so much distinction excited the deepest interest both in France and England ; and great efforts
were made, but without success, to reconcile the combatants Avithout an appeal to arms. On the
appointed day they entered the lists, and having taken the usual oaths, mounted their horses for
the combat. In the moment of trial, the courage of the Duke of Brunswick failed him, and he
quitted the quarrel, and submitted himself to the award of the King of France. The king and his
court, who were to have witnessed the combat, now became the mediators, and at a great feast
reconciled the dukes to each other.
Henry, who, for his deeds of piety, was styled " The Good Duke of Lancaster," out of his
devout respect to the canons of the collegiate church at Leicester, permitted the priests to enclose
their woods, and stored them with deer out of his own parks. After this time he received special
command from the king to keep a strict guard upon the sea-coasts of Lancashire, and to arm all
the lanciers who were raised in his territories for the public service. In 31 Edward III. (1357)
John, King of France, having been taken prisoner by Edward the Black Prince, was brought into
this country. The captive monarch became the guest of Henry, Duke of Lancaster, in his stately
palace in the Savoy, which he had completed at the expense of fifty two thousand marks (£34,666),
obtained at the taking of Brigerac. The Duke of Lancaster, having terminated his career of
military renown, devoted himself to works of piety, and
" By a deed, bearing date the second of January, in the 35th of Edward III., he gave to the monks at Whalley, in this county,
and to their successors, two cottages, seven acres of land, one hundred and eighty-three acres of pasture, two hundred acres of wood,
called Ramsgrove all lying in the chase of Blackburn ; likewise two messuages, a hundred and twenty-six acres of land, twenty-six
acres of meadow' and a hundred and thirty acres of pasture called Standen, Holcroft, and Grenelache, lying within the townships
of Penhulton and Clitheroe, with the fold and foldage of Standen, to support and maintain two recluses m a certain place within the
churchyard of the parochial church of Whalley, and their successors recluses there ; as also two women-servants to attend them
there to pray for the soul of him the said duke, his ancestors and heirs ; that is to say, to find them every week throughout the
year 'seventeen loaves of bread, such as usually were made in their convent, each of them weighing fifty shillings sterling ; and
seven loaves of the second sort, of the same weight ; and also eight gallons of their better sort of beer ; and threepence for their
food Moreover every year, at the feast of All Saints, to provide for them ten large fishes, called stock-fish ; one bushel of oatmeal
for Dottaee • one' bushel of rye ; two gallons of oil for their lamps ; one pound of tallow for candles ; six loads of' turf, and one load
of faeeots for their food ; likewise to repair their habitations ; and to find a chaplain, with a clerk, to sing mass, in the chapel
belonging 'to these recluses, every day ; and also all vestments, and other utensils and ornaments, for the same chapel ; the
nomination of successors, upon deaths, to be in the duke and his heirs."
This " Good Duke of Lancaster," by his will bearing date, at the castle of Leicester, the 15th of
March 35 Edward III. (1361), wherein he styles himself Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Derby, Lincoln,
and Leicester Steward of England, and Lord of Brigerac and Beauford, bequeathed his body to be
buried in the Collegiate Church of our Lady of Leicester. He only survived the making of this
1 The scute was oj the value o( half a noble, or 3s. 4cl., so that 3,000 .scutes represent £500.
56 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. iv.
testament nine days. At that time a plague raged in England, which, in allusion to the great
plague in 1349, Barnes calls the " second plague, nothing near," says he, " so dismal and universal
as the former, but much more destructive to the nobility and prelacy." Thus died the great,
valiant, and liberal prince, Henry Plantagenet, March 24th, 1361. He left issue by Isabella, his
wife, daughter of Henry Bellmont or Beaumont, lord of Folkingham, two daughters, his heirs,
Maud, twenty-two years old, first married to Ralph, son and heir of Ralph, Lord Stafford, and after
to William of Bavaria, son of Lewis the emperor ; and Blanche, nineteen years old, married to John
of Gaunt, Earl of Richmond, fourth son of King Edward III. Maud, the elder, had for her moiety
an assignment of the manors in the counties of Berks, Leicester, Northampton, Rutland, and
Huntingdon, and also the lordship of Beauford and Nogent in France.
" And to John, Earl of Eichmond, and Blanche his wife, whose homage was then taken by reason of issue between them, the
castle and town of Pontefract ; the manors of Bradeform, Almanbury, Altofts, Warnfeld, Rothewell, Ledes, Eoundehay, Scoles,
Berewyck, Kepax, Aberford, Knottiiigley, with the mills there ; Beghale, Kamsale, Ouston, Elmesdale, Akworth, and Stainoros ;
the bailiwick and honor of Pontefract ; a certain rent called castle ferme, with the pleas and perquisites, also the manors of Kriteling
and Barlay ; except such lands therein as were held for life (the reversion to the said duke), the castle of Pickering, with the soke
and all its members ; the manors of Esyngwold and Scalby, with the members, all in the county of York ; the wapentakes (or rather
hundreds) of LeyJand, Amunde.rness, and Lonsdale; the manors of Ovea-[? Ulues]-walton, Preston, Singleton, Biggeby, and Wra,
Overton, Skirton ; the towns of Lancaster and Slyne ; the royal bailiwick of Blackburnshire, the office of master-forester beyond
Ribbel ; the vaccary of Wyresdale, like«ise the manors of Penwortham, Totyngton, and Eachedale ; the wapentake of Clyderhowe,
with the demeuae lauds there ; the lordship of Bowland, the vaccary of Bowland and Blackburnshire ; the forest of Blackburnshire
and the park of Ightenhull, with the appurtenances in Blackburnshire, all in the county of Lancaster. The castle and manor of
Dunstanburgh, with the manors of Slioplaye, Stamford, Burton, and Emeldon ; also the fishing of Tweed, in the county of Nor-
thumberland. The manor of Hinckley, with the bailiwick there, in the county of Leicester ; the castle and manor of Kenilworth,
with the pool and mill there ; the manors of Wotton, Shrewle, Radesle, and Ashtul, with their appurtenances, in the county of
Warwick ; the manors of Halton, Eonkore, More, Whitelawe, Congleton, Keleshole, and Bedestan ; the bailiwick of Halton ; the
town of Wyndenes [Widnes], sergeanty of Wyndenes, in the county of Lancaster. In addition to these great lordships and lands,
there was a further assignment made unto the Earl of Eichmond, and Blanche his wife, of the manors of Coggleshul, Cridelyng,
Bailey, Kilbourne, Toresholme, Marthesdon, Swanyngton, Passenham ; likewise certain lands in Daventre and Hinkele, with the
mills of Lilleborn ; also the manor of Uggele, in the county of Essex."
John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, was born at Gaunt (Ghent), in Flanders, from whence he
derived his surname, between the 2.5th and 31st of March, 1340 ; and on the 20th of September,
1343, he was created Earl of Richmond, having therewith a grant in tail general of all the castles,
manors, and lands belonging to that earldom, and all the prerogatives and royalties which John,
late Duke of Britany and Richmond, enjoyed.^ In 135.5 he attended the king, his father, on an
expedition into Flanders, and in 1357 had a grant in special tail of the castle and lordship of
Lydell, in the county of Northumberland. Having obtained (May 19, 1359) a dispensation from
Rome, he was married at Reading, in Berkshire, to his cousin, the lady Blanche, second daughter
and co-heir of Henry Plantagenet, Duke of Lancaster. In 1361 he obtained a special charter for
divers privileges to himself and his heirs by Blanche, his wife — namely, return of writs, pleas of
Withernam,'' felons' goods, etc., in all the lordships and lands whereof he was then possessed, with
freedom for himself and his heirs, and all the tenants and residents upon the lands, and fees which
belonged to Henry, Earl of Lancaster, from all manner of tolls of what kind soever throucrhout
the whole kingdom. The same year having issue by his wife, and doing his homage, he had an
assignation of her property in all the lands whereof her father died possessed. And, by virtue of
the king's licence, he obtained a further grant from John, Bishop of Lincoln, Richard, Earl of
Arundel, and^ others, to himself, his wife, and their issue, of the castle of Bolingbroke, with the
park, knights' fees, and advowsons of the churches thereto belonging, together with other manors
in the counties of Stafford, Northumberland, and Derby. In 1362, upon the death of Maud, the
widow of William, Duke of Bavaria, without issue, he had, in right of the said Blanche, the sister
and heir of Maud, all the possessions appertaining to her moiety of the estate of Henry, Duke of
Lancaster, deceased. Whereupon he was in Parliament declared Duke of Lancaster,^ in rio-ht of
his wife Blanche ; and the king girt him with a sword, and set on his head a cap of fur, and a
circlet of gold with pearls therein ; and created him Duke of Lancaster, with all the liberties
and regalities of an earl palatine ;* as also Earl of Leicester, Lincoln, and Derby, with the office
', S?;f '■ '" S?'^ "^ '?"°"'*'' ''"!i°^\''''i?u i , our own hand in full Parliament, at Westminster, 13Ui November 36th of
2 When a distress IS removed out of the county, and the sheriff, upon our reign [13621. ">.aLmiubn,r, ijui i^ovemoer, aomoi
a replevin, cannot make deUverance to the party distressed. « "Counties mlatinp " oinn. T(Ia^VatnT,o "„r^ =« «„ii„.i „ „ ;»*■„
^ By the deed of ereation, dated 36 sf ar^dlll. (1362), the king, in because the o;ne?sthere'of (III ^f":t"^ist.r"':i,.TBU^^oi^:Z^
consideration of the growing activity and praiseworthy deeds of hia and the Dulco of Lancaster) had in those counties Mm wS as tuUvTa
dearest son, John, Earl of Lancaster gives to the carl the name and the king hath in his palace ; r,gah-,.i ^oLta °ra/Bractr e" breiw ^^^^
honour of duke, and appoints him to be Duke of Lancaster, and invests Anciently palatinates took very much the charicterordistiuct sovereign-
him with the same title and honour by girding him with a sword, and ties, and not unfrequently local writers, when referring to E^sS
the placing of a cap of dignity on his head To have and to hold the same spoke of it as " another country," standing much in the lame S?on
title and honour of Duke of Lancaster to him and to his lawful heirs- to a palatinate as, s.ay, for example, Lancashire, that Franee^fd to Nor
male for ever. Thw grant is witnessed by Simon Archbishop of Canter- mandy, and Normandy to Brittany " must, howeverrbe understood
bury, Wilhara of Wmehester, chancellor. S. of Ely, treasurer, bishops ; that the county palatine and the duchy of Laniiisterarenot conterSus
Richard, Earl of Arundel Robert of Suffolk, Thomas de Vere, our clian- or identical in jurisdiction, the latter comprising much tcrritov that ito
cellor of Oxford earls ; Edward le Despen.ser, Ralf do NeviU, John do at a vast distance from the county.-C. * ^ * '
KeviU, John atte Lee, steward of our household, and others. Given by
CHAP. IV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 57
of high-steward of England. In 1366, after having been empowered to vest several of his estates
in feoffees, in order to make a settlement on his lady, and to discharge some pecuniary
incumbrances, the Duke of Lancaster joined his brother. Prince Edward, at Bordeaux, on behalf
of Don Pedro, King of Castile, Avho, owing to an insurrection of his subjects, fled into Gascony for
aid. On breach of the truce, in 1369, he was sent with a considerable force to give battle to the
French, being retained to serve the king for half a year, with 300 men-at-arms, 500 archers,
3 bannerets, 80 knights, and 216 esquires; but the King of France would not allow a battle to be
risked which might terminate as other great battles had done; and so suffered Lancaster to
march through the northern provinces without molestation. On his return from Calais to
England, at the close of the year, he found that his wife, the lady Blanche, had been taken off"
by the great pestilence, and that she had been interred with great funeral pomp in St. Paul's
Cathedral in the month of September previously.
In 1370 the Duke of Lancaster was again engaged in an expedition into Gascony; and
Peter the Cruel, King of Castile and Leon, whom Edward, Prince of Wales, had invested in his
kingdom, having left at his death two daughters, who, to avoid the usurper, their uncle, had taken
refuge in Gascony, he married Constance, the elder of the sisters, and gave the hand of the other,
Isabel, to his younger brother Edmund, Earl of Cambridge and Duke of York. Soon afterwards he
assumed the title of King of Castile and Leon, and supported his claim by force of arms, but without
success. He impaled also the arms of Castile and Leon with his ducal coat. On his return to
England, in 1372, the duke was empowered to surrender to the king his father his earldom of
Richmond, with all the castles, manors, &c., to the same belonging, in exchange for numerous other
manors in the counties of York, Norfolk, Suffolk, Huntingdon, and Sussex. Soon afterwards he
headed two formidable expeditions against France, both of which failed. In 1377 he obtained the
manors of Grenested, Seford, and Leighton, with several privileges in the same, and the castle and
honor of Tikhill. He had licence also to give his lordships of Gryngeleye and Wheteley to
Catherine Swynford, his concubine (widow of Sir Hugh Swynford, knight, and daughter of Sir
Paen Roelt, knight, a native of Hainault, and Guienne king of arms), for life.
During this year he procured the grant of a chancery in his dukedom of Lancaster, with all
other royalties pertaining to a county palatine, to hold in as ample a manner as the Earl of Chester
ever enjoyed the same ; with an obligation of sending two knights to Parliament as representatives
of the commonalty of the county of Lancaster, with two burgesses for every borough within the
said county.^ He had licence also to coin money for the space of two years, from the 12th of June
(1377), in the city of Bayonne, or the castle of Guyssen, or any other place within the seneschalcy
of Landere, of gold, silver, or any other metal whatsoever.
In this year (1377) John Wycliff'e, the most eminent of all the Lollards at that time — the
" Morning-Star of the Reformation," as he has been beautifully called— being convened before the
Archbishop of Canterbury, the Bishop of London, John, Duke of Lancaster, and Lord Percy, at the
Blackfriars, in London, the duke had the magnanimity to speak in favour of Wycliff'e, and to
make some strong observations upon the bishops. So unusual a departure from the orthodoxy of
the day gave great offence to the episcopal bench, and produced so much discontent among the
citizens that they rose in tumult, and determined to murder the duke, and to set fire to his house
in the Savoy. This tumult Courtenay, the Bishop of London, much to his honour, succeeded in
quelling ; but the Duke of Lancaster was obliged to seek safety in flight, and it was not till
after the death of his father that a reconciliation was effected between him and the citizens of
London, under the mediation of Richard II. After the death of Edward III., consultation being
had about the solemnity of the coronation of King Richard II., John, King of Castile and Leon,
Duke of Lancaster, appeared before the king in council, and claimed, as Earl of Leicester, the office
of seneschal of England ; as Duke of Lancaster, the right of bearing the principal sword called the
curtana, on the day of the coronation ; and as Earl of Lincoln, to carve for the king sitting at table
on the day of his coronation. Diligent examination being made before certain of the king s council
concerning these demands, it sufficiently appeared that the duke, as holding by the law of
1 Rv tliia </ranf- the kinir after praulng the proweas in war and appurtenant to the county palatine, as entirely and freely as the Earls of
^if'^^p^'^^l£^z:,rt^^^^i>:^^ .^„^-oiLr";u^o4'^;rdrutid^eti;re^s^m?nti^^-ofr^^^
DukeTfLlnSf &c°'and befng deai^oifSj reSLd tSso high meX; tenths and^ther quoUs by the'clJrgy of the same we grant and impose
of his ceS knowtto and cheTrful heart, with the assent of his as the same are granted and imposed ^y theApostohe See ; and pardons
^r^l^tp/riTrtnnhlpTrow assembled ^ Parliament at Westminster, grants for hfe and members, m cases where, in that county for any offence life
prelates and nobles now asseniDiea in jriiiiai.. within the or limb is forfeit, &c. Our same son, at our mandate, shall cause to be
to the same John for the -^hol^ ^'■'^Itl'^wWtun^f^hisIearas record 8=nt to our Parlikments and councils two knights for the commonalty of
iiisance
the same
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIEE.
CHAP. IV.
58
Encrland after the death of Blanche his wife, had estahhshed his claim ; and it was agreed that he
Sotid iercise the offices by himself, or proper deputies, and receive the fees thereunto belonging.
Accordingly on the Thursday before the coronation, which was on the Thursday fo lowing, by
otder of the king, he sat judicially, and kept his court m the Whitehall of he kings palace at
Westminster, anS there received the bills and petitions of all such of the nobi ity and others as by
reason of their tenure, or otherwise, claimed to do service at the new king s coronation and to
■eceive the accustomed fees and allowances.^ He was also, with Edmund, Earl of Cambridge, and
certain bishops, appointed one of the protectors of the king during his mmority. t
JOHN OF GAUNT S GATKVVAY, LANCASTER CASTLE.
In 2 Kichard 11. (1378-9) the duke obtained authority to establish a treasury, with barons and
other proper officers, within his duchy of Lancaster.^
1 A portrait of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, in this capacity,
is preserved in the Cottonian MSS. in the British Museum.
2 Though it is stated in the text that this grant was made in the
second regnal year of Richard H., it appears by the deed itself that it
■was in his thirteenth year ; and therefore not in 1379 but in 1390. After
reciting by inspeximus the charter of Edward 111., granting to our dearest
uncle John the title and honour of Duke of Lancaster, &c., Richard gi'ants
to his said uncle that he may have a chancery for life within the county,
and in short confirms all that is granted by the former charter. It
enla'-ges the gi-ant by authorising the duke to have approved faithful and
efficient men fur collecting the tenths, fifteenths, subsidies, «fec. And
that he may have justices itinerant, and for the pleas of tUo forest within
the said county. And further that ho may have hia exchequer in the
said county, and barons and other necess;xry officers in the same excliequer,
as well as whatever jurisdiction, executions, and customs are reasonably
used in the exchequer of England. The duke and his heirs to have and
hola all and siogular liberties and the appointment of justices for the
pleas of the forests, excepting those pleas in which the king is a party,
and all tenths, fifteeuths, <tc. Witnesses : the Archbishop of Canterbury,
the Bishops of London and Winchester (the chancellor) ; the Dukes
Edward of York, Thomas of Gloucester (our uncles) ; the earls Richard of
Arundel, William of Salisbury, Henry of Northumberland. Richard le
Scrope, John Devereux, steward of our household, and others. Given at
Westminster, by our hand, IG February, 13th of our reign [1390.]
CHAP. IV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 59
In this early period of our history, personal slavery prevailed to a greater extent in England
than m any other country of Europe.' The barons had struggled for liberty, and had, to a certain
extent, secured its possession from the crown by the deed of Magna Charta, extorted from Kino'
John and confirmed by Henry III. and Edward I. But this liberty was almost exclusively enjoyed
by the privileged classes, who themselves exercised despotic power over their vassals. The lio-hts
of those who tilled the ground and performed the other duties of humble citizens were imperfe'ctly
understood and subject to daily violation ; and so unequal was the pressure of taxation that the rich
and the poor were confounded together in one indiscriminate mass, and called upon (1378) to pay a
poll-tax, amounting to three groats on every individual throughout the land, male and female,
above_ the age of fifteen years. The collection of this unequal and odious impost produced a
rebellion, excited by John Ball, a popular preacher, and led by Wat Tyler, Jack Straw, and others.
The Duke of Lancaster, one of the king's ministers, and who was supposed to be his principal
adviser, became extremely unpopular ; and the insurgents, having broken into the city of London,
burnt down the Duke of Lancaster's palace of the Savoy and also the Temple, sacked the palace of
the Archbishop of Canterbury, demohshed Newgate, and cut off the heads of a number of gentle-
men who attempted to resist their lawless outrages, amongst whom was Simon Sudbury, the
primate and chancellor of England, and Sir Robert Hales, the high treasurer. This insurrection
was suppressed by the determined conduct of Walworth, the lord mayor of London, who resented
the insolence shown towards the king on the part of Wat Tyler, by a violent blow with his sword,
which brought him to the ground, where he was soon despatched by others of the king's attendants
(1381). Richard, taking advantage of the temporary panic, contrived to conciliate the people,
and, by his wisdom and moderation, prevailed upon them to disperse. During this insurrection,
the Duke of Lancaster fled before the popular hatred over the Border, and took refuge in Scotland,
where he occupied himself in negotiating a peace, in which he happily succeeded. On this occasion,
William, Earl of Douglas, with a degree of generous forbearance which seldom fails to obtain its
reward, told the duke that he had been acquainted from the first with the distracted state of
England, but was so far from wishing to take advantage of the critical situation in which the dulce
and his country were placed, either for carrying on the war or extorting more favourable terms of
peace, that he might remain in Scotland, as their guest, until the insurrection should cease ; or, if
he chose to return, he might have an escort of five hundred horsemen. The duke expressed his
acknowledgments, but declined the offer. On his return to England, being excluded from Berwick
by Sir Matthew Redman, governor under the Earl of Northumberland, he accepted the earl's pledge
of honour, and returned into Scotland, where he remained until the popular tumult had subsided.
So extensive was the popular indignation against the measures of the king and his ministers, and
so intense the feeling against the Duke of Lancaster during the rebellion of Wat Tyler, that the
Lady Constance, wife of the duke, hastened from Leicester to the castle at Pontefract for refuge,
expecting security there, but when she arrived, her own servants dared not permit her to enter the
place, and she was constrained to go seven miles by torchlight to Knaresborough Castle, where she
continued till the violence of the storm subsided and till the duke returned from Scotland. In
1384 the Duke of Lancaster was despatched, with a powerful military and naval force, to Scotland,
to avenge the injuries which the English had received during the war with France,^ and to prevent
a repetition of them, by some memorable act of chastisement. The duke advanced to Edinburgh,
and at the same time the fleet was despatched to ravage the coast of Fife. His soldiers strongly
urged him to burn the capital, but the duke, cherishing a grateful remembrance of the hospitality
which he had experienced three years before, preserved the city from destruction.' A little before
Easter, in 1384, John Latimer, an Irish Carmelite friar, charged the Duke of Lancaster with an
intention to destroy the king and to usurp the crown; but on being summoned to meet this
accusation, the diflie completely established his loyalty, when he demanded that the slanderer
should be committed to safe custody. Sir John Holland, a Lancashire knight, and son-in-law_of
Lancaster, undertook the charge, and the next day Latimer was found dead, having, it is said,
been strangled by his keeper. The king, being under the guidance of evil counsellors, resolved
upon the death of the Duke of Lancaster ; but private information having reached him from one
of those that were in the plot, he retired to his castle at Pontefract, and through the mediation of
the Princess Joan (the " Fair Maid of Kent "), mother of the king, a perfect reconciliation took
place. The next year he desired leave of the king, and also of the lords and commons in Parliament,
> Froi^iairt liv ii chaD 74 BngLmd nnd France should bo determined by single combat between
2 In connection with the' war an incident occurred that, whHo himself and the French king, Charles VI., who was then in his fifteenth
Btrongly characteristic of the age, gives lo the quarrel an air of the year. There is no evidence, however, that John of Gaunt gave any
ludicrous There Is preserved among the public records a letter from encouragement to this precocious bernism.-O.
Eichard who was then a youth of seventeen years, to the Duke of » Duohanan : Eerum bcotiarum Uistoria, hb. ix. cap. 4j.
Lancaster, in which he gravely proposes that the quarrel between
60 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. iv.
to go into Spain for the recovery of his wife's inheritance ; and ordained his son, Henry, Earl of
Derby, his heutenant of all he had in England, placing around him a safe and judicious council.
When he took his leave, the king presented him with a coronet of gold, and the queen gave another
to his wife ; orders were also given that he should he addressed by the title of " King of Spain."
His train consisted of no less than a thousand spears of knights and esquires, two thousand archers,
and a thousand tall yeomen. Having landed in Britany, near the castle of Brest, he was resisted
by two of the forts, in the assault of which he lost many of his men ; but he ultimately triumphed,
and, having sailed Avith his fleet to the Garonne, he marched to the Spanish frontier and carried
the town of Bayonne. After this, the King of Castile sent to him to treat of a marriage between
his daughter and the dulvc's son ; and through the mediation of the Duke of Berry a truce was
concluded. In 1388 the duke was appointed lieutenant of Aquitaine.
The disputes which had so long existed in Spain concerning the right to the kingdom of
Castile and Leon were at length amicably settled, by an agreement that Henry, eldest son of John,
King of Castile and Leon, and of Portugal, should marry Catherine, the duke's only daughter, by
his wife Constance ; and that the duke should quit his claim to Spain on condition of receiving, for
his own and daughter's life, a yearly payment of 16,000 marks, and in case his wife should survive
him, that she should have annually 12,000 marks (£8,000). The duke returned to England in
November, 1389, with much treasure ; for it is said that he had forty-seven mules laden with chests
of gold for his second payment, and several great men of Spain, as guarantees for his future annuity.
On his return he relieved Brest, in Britany, then besieged by the French. In the following year
(1390) he was created Duke of Aquitaine by the consent of the lords and commons of England, on
which occasion a splendid cap was put upon his head, and a rod of gold was given to him, to hold
his new dignity of the king of England as king of the realm of France. In 13 Richard II. (1390)
he obtained a further confirmation of the privileges of his duchy of Lancaster, in the appointment
of a chancery court there, with the power to issue writs under his own seal ; likewise an exchequer,
with barons and other necessary officers, and power to make justices itinerant for the pleas of the
forest, etc' His attachment to his favourite Catherine Swynford remained unaltered, notwith-
standing the disparity of their stations ; and, after the death of his second wife, Constance, he
married her at Lincoln, on the octaves of the Epiphany (1395), at which, say the Chroniclers, there
was no little admiration in regard to her low birth.
"ThU woman was bom in Henault, daugliter of a knight of that country. She was brought up in her jouth iu the Duke of
Lancaster's house, and attended on hia first wife, the Duchess Blanche of Lancaster; and in the days of his second wife, the
Duchess Constance, he kept the aforesaid Catharine as his concubine, who afterwards was married to a knight of England, named
Swinford, that was now deceased. Before she was married the duke liad by her three children, two sons and a daughter. One of
the sous was named Thomas de Beaufort ; and the other Henrie, who was brought up at Aken, iu Almaine, proved a good lawyer,
and was afterwards Bishop of Winchester. For the love that the duke had to these his children, he married their mother, the said
Catharine Swinford, being now a widow, whereof men marvelled much, considering her mean estate was far unmeet to match with
his highness, and nothing comparable in honour to his other two former wives. And indeed, the great ladies of England, as the
Duchess of Gloucester, the Countess of Derby, Arundel, and others, descended of the blood royal, greatly di.sdained that she should
be matched with the Duke of Lancaster, and by that means be accounted second person in the realm, and preferred in room before
them, and thereof they said that they would not come in any place where she should be present, for it should be a shame to them
that a woman of so base a birth, and concubine to the duke iu his other wife's days, should go and have place before tliem. The
Duke of Gloucester also, being a man of an high mind and a stout stomach, misliked his brother matching so meanly ; but the Duke
of York bare it well enough ; and verily the lady herself was a woman of such bringing up and honourable demeanour, that envy
could Dot in the end but give place to well deserving."*
In 1396 the king negotiated a marriage with Isabella, daughter of Charles VI. of France,
then a child eight years old, with, as he said, the approval of his two uncles, Lancaster and York.
The two kings, accompanied by hundreds of nobles and knights, with all the pomp of the
gorgeous ceremonials of that age, met between Calais and Ardres, and there embraced and drank
wine together out of jewelled cups. On a subsequent day they met again at the boundary of
their two camps, when the child-queen arrived with a cavalcade of golden chariots and silken
litters, with ladies wearing garlands of pearls and diamonds. She was presented by her uncles to
Richard, who promised to cherish her as his wife. The Duchesses of Lancaster and Gloucester
then received her, and she set forward to Calais, where the marriage Avas celebrated on the 4th of
November.
Three years after the Duke of Lancaster's third marriage, in a Parliament convened at
London, he procured an act for legitimatising the children whom he had by Catherine Swynford,
the legitimation having been preceded by a similar act of the Pope ; and in another Parliament,
held in September m the same year, called the Great Parliament, the Earl of Arundel was, by the
Duke of Lancaster, who sat that day as high steward, condemned of treason on charges of which
' See note 2, page 6S aiipra. ! Holinohod, p. 4S5.
CHAP. IV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 61
he had previously received the Royal pardon, and beheaded on Tower Hill, September 21st, 1397.
During this Parliament the duke's eldest son, the Earl of Derby, was created Duke of Hereford.
In 1396-97, the Duke of Lancaster had a renewal and amplification of the privileges of his duchy
of Lancaster.' He also obtained the hundreds of Southgrenhow and Laundishe, in the county of
Norfolk, which had come into the king's hands by the attainder of the Earl of Arundel. In 1398,
at^er obtaining from the king an ample renunciation of all claim on any part of his inheritance,
with a confirmation of the dower of the castles of Knaresborough and TickhiU to Catherine his wife,
and a settlement of the manor of Bradford and Almondbury on his eldest legitimatised son, John
Beaufort, Marquis of Somerset and Dorset, he was constituted lieutenant in the marches towards
Scotland, from the beginning of the twenty-eight years' truce between that country and Eno'land.
In October, Henry of Bolingbroke, the duke's son, received sentence of banishment ; and from
that period this disgrace produced the most pungent sorrow in the mind of his venerable father,
who was soon afterwards seized with a fatal illness and died. His death, which occurred February
3rd, 1398-9, was much lamented by his friends ; but neither the king nor the people sympathised
in their sorrow. He was interred with great funeral pomp near the body of Blanche, his first wife,
for whom and for himself he had erected, soon after her decease, a sumptuous monument,
surmounted with the ducal arms.
An inscription was afterwards placed on a pensile tablet, which, after enumerating his various titles and honours, states that
he was thrice married, first to Blanche, daughter and heir of Henry, Duke of Lancaster, by whom he received a most ample
inheritance; secondly to Constance (who is buried here), daughter and heir of Peter, King of Castile and Leon, in whose right he was
entitled to use the title of king, etc. She bore him one daughter, Catharine, who had children by Henry, King of Spain. His third
■wife was Catharine, of a knightly family, and a lady of extraordinary beauty, who bore him a numerous progeny, of which stock, by
the mother's side, Henry VIL, most prudent king of England, married one, whose felicitous marriage with Elizabeth, daughter of
King Edward IV. of the house of York, united the royal families of Lancaster and York, and restored peace to England. This
illustrious prince John, named Plantagenet, King of Castile and Leon, Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Leicester, Lincoln, and Derby,
Lieutenant of the king in Aquitaiue and High Steward of England, died in the 22ud year of the reign of Richard II. and a.d. 1399.
The bequests of John, Duke of Lancaster, were munificent ; but the largest portion of his
estates descended to his only surviving son and heir by Blanche of Lancaster. Throughout his life
the Duke of Lancaster surpassed all the great men of his age in power and fortune ; but he was
not so universally respected as his brother the Black Prince, the good Duke of Lancaster, or his
eldest son, Henry of Bolingbroke, Earl of Derby. Some defects in the moral character of John of
Gaunt, his haughty carriage towards inferiors, and his public support of Wyclifi'e the reformer,
added to his want of success in arms, contributed to lower him in the public estimation ; though
his readiness on all occasions to apply his ample fortune in the discharge of his public duties, and
his zeal in the cause of his country, served to rank him amongst the most illustrious of her
benefactors.
The ducal family of the house of Lancaster had, by its marriage alliances, become connected
with many of the most powerful barons of the kingdom, and Henry of Bolingbroke, the
representative of this house after the death of his father, John of Gaunt, impelled partly by his
wrongs, but principally by his ambition, wrested the sceptre from the feeble hands of his royal
cousin, and ascended the throne of England almost without a struggle. By this act of usurpation
the seed was sown for the long and sanguinary intestine wars between the rival houses of Lancaster
and York, which served for so many years to deluge the country with blood.
• This is an excmpliflcation and full confirmation of preceding chattel? of felons aud fugitive.?, tlie return of all writs, summonses and
charters, as in 1st BicLard II. And further, for the greater security of precepts of the king, etc., and their execution, so that no officer of the
the duke, the king declares and grants to him that he may have all fines king be injured thereby. And it it happen that the officers of the duke
for trausgressioneretc, for agreeing to grant licence, and all issues and he .amerced m the king s courts for negligence, etc. such fines and
foifeitures of all men, tenants and residents in his lands, and fees, and amercements may be to the duke. And that he may have the di.attels
whatsoever fines, "year, day, and waste," in wh.atsoever courts of the [or cattle] called "waif and stray, deodands tre.asure-trovo, and the
kin.^, and what by the hands of his otBcers may be levied for fines and chattels called " mauu opera, etc. [This last term has two ineanmgs
amercements aforesaid. And that he may have, in the aforesaid lands (1) Stolen goods taken upon a thief, apprehended in the fact and
and fee"^8iseof bread, wine, and ale, etc., ind other things which (2) Cattle, or any implements used to work m husbandry. Most probably
belong to the office of clerk of the markets, and fines, etc., so that the it is here intended in its former sense.]— H.
clerk of the king's markets be not injured. And that he may have the
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02 W
CHAPTEK V
Character of Henry Plantagenet, Earl of Derby and Duke of Hereford— His Quarrel with the Duke of Norfolk, and
Banishment— Elevated to the Dignity of Duke of Lancaster on the Death of hia Father, John of Gaunt— Returns to England-
Expels Richard II. from the Throne— Elevation of the noble House of Lancaster to the Royal Dignity — Possessions of the
Duohy of Lancaster separated from the Crown Possessions— Establishment of the Duchy Court — Abolition of the Duchy
Court of Star Chamber — History of the Duchy continued — Its Courts, Chancellors, Officers, &c. — Ducatus Lancastrice,
from the Harleian MSS.— a.d. 1380 to 1860.
ENRY PLAXTAGENET, snrnamed of Bolingbroke from the place of his birth,
the only surviving son of John of Gaunt, by his first wife, Blanche, daughter and
sole heir of Henry, first Duke of Lancaster, Avas in character diametrically the
reverse of his sovereign. King Richard II. His talents were of a superior order ;
his manners were popular, and even fascinating ; and his ambition led him to
aspire to a higher station than that of the first subject in the realm, which his
father had so long occupied.
In the second year of the reign of Richard II. (1378-9), Henry, though only
eleven years old, was thought of age to receive knighthood, and in 1380 he was betrothed, with
the consent of the king, to Mary de Bohun, the younger daughter and coheiress of Humphrey de
Bohun, K.G., late Earl of Essex, Hereford, and Northampton, and hereditary constable of England.
In 1385 he was summoned to Parliament by the title of Henry, Earl of Derby. In the eleventh
year of the reign he was engaged with the Duke of Gloucester in the combination, professedly for
the removal of the king's favourites, but in reality to retain the control over the sovereign, who
had then just come of age, at which his majesty took great offence, but having subsequently made
full confession of his improper conduct, and sued for pardon, Richard was reconciled to him, and in
the 21st year of his reign (1397-8) we find the king on the last day of the session (September 29)
" sitting in Parliament in royal majesty, holding in his hand a rod, and making his cousin, Sir
Henry of Lancaster, Earl of Derby, a duke, by the title of Duke of Hereford." This reconciliation,
was, however, short-lived, a violent quarrel having arisen between the Duke of Hereford and the
Duke of Norfolk with reference to some alleged treasonable expressions regarding the conflict at
Radcot Bridge in 1388, which terminated in an appeal to arms. The Parliament in which the
charge was made was sitting at Shrewsbury. Hereford and Norfolk were both ordered into
custody, and the dispute was referred to the Court of Chivalry, which decreed that the quarrel
should be determined by wager of battle at Coventry on the 16th September following. On the
day appointed the combatants entered the lists, but when the heralds had made proclamation the
king, with, as was said, the advice of his council, of which the Duke of Lancaster, father of
the Duke of Hereford, was at the head, sent them both into exile : Hereford for ten years,
Norfolk for life.^ In some of the versions relating to this memorable duel, it is represented that
Henry, Duke of Hereford, lodged the information against Thomas, Duke of Norfolk; but Sir
John Froissart, a contemporary writer, states the matter differently, and more probably, by repre-
senting that the secret of the confidential conversation between the Duke of Hereford and the
Duke of Norfolk was divulged by the latter ; and this construction is supported by the more
severe sentence passed upon that duke, "because he had sowen sedicion in this realme by his
woordes, whereof he could make no profe."-
1 A pompous description of the Lists of Coventry is given in flail's
Chronicle.
* The following is Hereford's written account of the conversation
between himself and Norfolk as they were riding between Brentford and
London, as given in the Rolls of Parliament : —
Norfolk: " We are on the point of being undone."
Hereford ; ' ' Why so ? "
Norfolk : " On account of the affair at Radeotbridge."
Hereford : " How can that be, since he has granted ns pardon and has
declared in Parliament that we behaved as good and loyal subjects."
Norfolk : "Nevertheless, our fate will be like that of others before us.
He will annul that record."
Hertford : "It will be marvellous indeed if the king, after having said
BO before the people, should cause it to be annulled."
Norfolk : " It is a marvellous and false world that we live in."
Norfolk then related a plot of certain of the king's eouncil to undo
six other lords, amongst whom were Lancaster, Hereford, and himself.
Hereford; "God forbid! It will be a wonder if the king should assent
to such designs. He appears to make me good cheer, and has promised
to be my good lord. Indeed, he has sworn by St. Edward to be a good
lord to me and the others."
Norfolk: "So has he often sworn to mo by God's body, but I do not
trust him the more for that." — Q.
CHAP. V. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
65
The nation was hig-hly incensed by the kmg's behaviour to the Duke of Hereford, who was
the diarhng oi the principal peers, ot the city of London, and of the people. They held that he
had committed no crime, and had been condemned without trial; that by his banishment thev
were deprived of their best protector; and they thought themselves by that event exposed to all
the malice and indignation of an incensed and vindictive tyrant. As the duke passed through the
city ot London on horseback, on his leaving the kingdom, he was followed by more than 40 000
people, who cried after him, and bewailed his fate and their own in the most moving manner ' He
was accompanied on this occasion by trumpets and instruments of music, and with the more melting
sounds ot universal lamentation. The Mayor of London, and others of the principal citizens, followed
him to JJepttord ; and some accompanied him as far as Dover, on his way to Calais where he
arrived October 3rd, 1398, and on landing was received by the Dukes of Orleans and Berry, of
Bourbon and Burgundy. On the duke's arrival at Paris he was very graciously received by the
Court of France, where he was soon offered in marriage the widowed daughter of the Duke of
Berry, uncle of Charles VI., Mary de Bohun, the mother of Henry of Monmouth, and of five other
children being then dead. To prevent this union. King Richard sent the Earl of Salisbury, his
ambassador, to the Court of France, where the earl represented the Duke of Hereford as a person
guilty of traitorous designs against his prince ; upon which the treaty of marriage proceeded no
further. After his departure, he received letters from his father, advising him rather to go into
Castile than into Hungary ; but the Duke of Lancaster becoming sick, his son continued in Paris,
where the news reached him of his father's death. The king, availing himself of the exile of the
Duke of Hereford, now become Duke of Lancaster, seized the possessions of his father, John of Gaunt,
into his own hands, and lavished them with his usual profusion upon his favourites.' Shortly after
this time, the king was obliged to embark for Ireland, to suppress a rebellion which had arisen in
that oppressed country. _ He set sail from Milford on the Ith June, 1399, and, during his absence,
England fell into great distraction. In this exigency, the people of London sent for their favourite
Henry, who had then become Duke of Lancaster, promising him their assistance, if he would accept
of the government.- With such encouragement, and aided by the Duke of Britany, he took ship
at Le Port Blanc, and landed at Ravenspur, at the mouth of the Humber, in Yorkshire, in July,
when he was met by a number of nobles in the north, and their followers. On his arrival at
Doncaster he found himself at the head of a considerable army, and the common people in all
places greeting his return with enthusiasm. The injustice practised towards him by the king, in
first banishing him from the realm without proof of guilt, and then seizing upon his patrimonial
inheritance, in violation of his letters-patent, excited the indignation of the nation towards the
oppressor, and their sympathy and enthusiasm in favour of the oppressed. His march through the
country was a triumph ; everywhere the castles yielded to his summons, and on his arrival at Bristol
his forces were augmented to 60,000. To oppose this formidable force, the Duke of York, who had
been left viceroy of the kingdom during the king's absence, assembled an army of 40,000 men at
St. Albans ; but their attachment to the royal cause was so lukewarm that they went over to the
Duke of Lancaster, on his representation that he sought not the subversion of the throne, but the
recovery of his paternal possessions, which the king had seized, on the death of his illustrious
father. The intelligence of this invasion reached the king while he was leading his army among
the bogs and thickets of Ireland, on which he hastened back into England, and landed in Wales,
near a place called Barkloughly Castle ;" where, finding that he was almost totally forsaken, he went
on to Conway Castle, in the county of Caernarvon.^ The duke, on hearing of the king's arrival,
marched to Chester, which city he entered on the 9th August. From thence he despatched the Earl
of Northumberland to the king at Conway, who proposed that a Parliament should be called, to
remove the grievances of which the country complained, and particularly to arbitrate between the
king and the Duke of Lancaster. Richard, scarcely aware of the danger by which he was menaced,
consented to an interview, at Flint Castle, with the Duke of Lancaster, who, it was represented,
would there ask pardon on his knees on condition of the estates and honours of his family being
restored. While journeying to Flint, Northumberland, who had a large force concealed behind
the rocks, seized the king's bridle. In this way he became his prisoner, and was, under various
pretences of friendship and loyalty, after a sojourn of three days at Chester, conducted to London,
where the cavalcade was met by the mayor and principal citizens, the people shouting, as it passed,
^ This procedure was in direct contravention of the king's pledge, ^ He went first to Harlech or Harddlech Castle, thsnce to Carnarvon,
for before the departure of Hereford he had promised and confirmed, by afterwards to Beaumaris, and finally to Conway, where he arrived at
his letters patent that in case any succession should happen in his daybreak. It is difficult to say which of these castles has been corrupted
absence for which' he ought to do homage, that he might, by his attorney, into Barkloughly. The Monk of Evesham maintains that Harlech was
be permitted to prosecute, and have liberty of succession or heritages, the place of the king's landing, and a recent writer in the Archmologia
and that his homage and fealty might be respected.— 0. Cambrenais, while affirming his belief that the king landed at Barmouth,
1 Froissart ^ of opinion that Harlech is the Barkloughly named. See Traison et
3 Holinshed i99 Mart Richard II., 189 and 282, and Areh. Camll., January, 1858, p. 10.— 0.
10 '
66 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. v.
" Long live the Duke of Lancaster." To give an air of justice to the ultimate designs of the duke,
he caused a Parliament to be convened under the authority of Richard, by which Parliament the
king was, on the 29th September, declared to have forfeited his throne by extortion, rapine, and
injustice. Being thus deposed by the suffrages of two estates of the realm, the throne was declared
vacant, and the head of the noble house of Lancaster ascended the throne of these realms, by the
style and title of Henry IV.^ On receiving this dignity before the assembled Parliament, the new
monarch crossed himself on the forehead, and, calling upon the name of Christ, said —
" la the name of Fadher, Son, and Holy Ghost, I, Henry of Lancaster, challenge this rewme of Yngland, and the croun, with
all the members, and the appurtenances ; als I that am descendit by right line of the blode, coming fro the gude lorde King
Henry therde, and throghe that right that God of his grace hath sent me, with help of kyn and of my frendes to recover it ; the
which rewme was in poynt to be ondone by defaut of governance, and undoing of the gude lawes." ^
A tradition had prevailed amongst the vulgar that Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Lancaster,
son of Henry III., was really the eldest brother of Edward I., but that, owing to some deformity
in his person, he had been supplanted in the succession by his younger brother; and as the
present Duke of Lancaster inherited from Edmund by his mother, this genealogy constituted him
the true heir to the throne. This was, however, a topic rather to be insinuated than declared,
and the best grounds of Henry's claim were the misrule of his predecessor, and the aflE'ections of
the people over whom he Avas himself called to govern, ^ for the posterity of Lionel, Duke of
Clarence, third son of Edward III., had a prior claim to that of the heir of John of Gaunt, the
fourth son. At the time of Richard's deposition the hereditary claim of the Clarence branch was
vested in Edmund Mortimer, Earl of March, who was the grandson of Phihppa, the daughter of
Lionel, but he was then only ten years of age. When the Parliament deposed Richard and chose
Henry in his stead the Archbishop of Canterbury preached a sermon, taking for his text the
words, " A man shall reign over my people," and in the course of his address he enlarged upon
the theme that when the King of kings threatened his people He said, " I will make children to
rule over them," his remarks being evidently aimed at the youthful Earl of March. When in
1385 Roger Mortimer was declared presumptive heir to the throne, John of Gaunt asserted that
his own son Henry was the true heir, as descended from Edmund Crouchback, the eldest son, as
he incorrectly affirmed, of Henry III., Avho, he alleged, had been set aside on account of 'his
deformity. Henry of Lancaster's claim by blood as " coming fro the gude lorde Kyng Henry therde "
would have been of little avail, had he not been at the head of a powerful army, and known
to be a man of vigour and abiHty, supported moreover by the chief nobles. Edmund Mortimer,
whose claim to the crown was set aside by the enthronement of Henry lY., died without issue in
1424. He had a sister Anne, who married the second son of Edmund Langley, Duke of York, and
in her son arose the pretension to the crown of the House of York.
Henry, Duke of Lancaster, being now seated upon the throne of England, the unfortunate
Richard was sent to the duke's castle at Pontefract. Here he was detained in confinement for
some time; but so short is the distance between the throne and the grave of a deposed monarch,
that his life was speedily terminated, either by the hand of the assassin or the more protracted
misery of famine. Richard's reign being thus terminated, his successor turned his attention to
the appointment of his new officers. The office of high steward, which he possessed in right of
his earldom of Leicester, derived from the Lacys, he conferred upon his second son, Lord Thomas,
whose incapacity, from his nonage, was supplied by the Earl of Worcester ; while the office of
Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster was given to John de Wakeringe, a divine of considerable
influence with his royal master. Mr. Justice Blackstone, in his Commentaries,'' observes, that "the
county palatine, or Duchy of Lancaster, was the property of Henry Bolingbroke, the son of John
of Gaunt, at the time when he wrested the crown from King Richard II. and assumed the title of
King Henry IV : and he adds, he was too prudent to suffer this to be united to the crown, lest.
It he lost one, he should lose the other also. But this is a mode of expression at variance with
th= BuktorlJ;t"^lti'"°"^Z^tni!r^^ '■ ,"t°'' " ^f"" t^ of deposition was solemnly pronounced by eight commissioners,
baronrand Shteand of X notaMesf m™ nf /^^^ prelates earls, Henry then approached the throne, and having challenged his right to
goS towns rtKthe Tower L7the^^^^^ ?,"h ""V™"* "t,*- t'"^ ""^ "i^r"' T^ ^"^ ^^ *'^<= Archbishops of Canterbury and York to the
sceptre m his hand, and his crown on his head. Then lie stnorl nn ■ilmif, 3 it i^ ;,,;i 1 1 ' » i i . ?^ 1 ' :"7' , ,..„,. i
not holdeu nor staved bv no man inr? «L°,i-l pin,,/ ' t i ? "P.'"""", ' n j^ said that John of Gauut put forward a claim in Parliament
Sngki d Duke of Aquitetorand Lord oMrelnnd n'b™ if 'fT '^'"^ °* V '''"''"'■'* "' "^'** "^ =°" Henry should be adjudged heir to the king-
on the 30th Sentember in Westmin^ Ir HnM ■ ll,. T^ P'"'''™'^"' ^"^ " Crouchback." The claim appears scarcely probable, as it not only set
I^^SKSf/?^^^^^^^^ in^e^^kL-^^Jj^d-rtrp-fd^i^^^^^^^^^^^
^J?rrdirg''thTtrUcfesTjS^eS1nt^Sy^^^.:S^^^^^^^^^ ' ^'"'- ' '^'^ -=• '■^- "«'
CHAP. V.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
67
the usual accuracy of that distinguished writer's style, and would seem to imply that the county
palatine ot Lancaster and the duchy of Lancaster are co-extensive, and that the terms ai-e
convertible. This, however, is by no means the case— the county palatine beim? confined to the
county, while the duchy of Lancaster, as we have already intimated, and, as we shall speedily
show more specifically, comprehends not only ■ the county of Lancaster but many other portions of
Uie kingdom. It has been justly observed by Plowden'in the celebrated "Duchy of Lancaster
Case, 4 Elizabeth (lob2), and by Sir Edward Coke^in his fourth Institute, that the new monarch
was well aware that " he held the Duchy of Lancaster by sure and indefeasible title, but that his
title to the crown was not so assured : for that, after the decease of Richard II. the ri<Tht of the
crown was m the heir of Lionel, Duke of Clarence, third son of Edward III. ; John °of Gaunt
THE CHAPEL P.OYAL WITHIN THE PRECINCTS OF THE DUCAL RESIDENCE OP THE SAVOY
father of Henry IV"., being but the fourth son." One of his first measures after ascending the
throne was, therefore, to pass an Act, sanctioned by Parliament, ordaining that his eldest son
Henry should have and bear the name and title of Duke of Lancaster, in addition to his other
titles (of Prince of Wales, Duke of Aquitaine and Cornwall, and Earl of Chester) ; and that
neither the inheritance of his duchy of Lancaster, or its liberties, should be changed, transferred,
or diminished, through his assumption of the royal dignity ; but that they should retain their
distinctive character and privileges, and be adminstered and governed in like manner, as if he
had never attained the royal dignity. It was further directed that all ecclesiastical benefices in
the said duchy should be conferred by himself and his heirs, so that the (lord) chancellor,
treasurer, or other officers of the state, should not interfere, by reason of their respective offices.
68 THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. v.
with the collection or preservation, or even with the visitation, of benefices within the duchy ;
and that all receivers, bailiffs, and other servants of the duchy, etc., should appear before certain
special auditors and ministers, and not before the treasurer and barons of the king's exchequer,
and account and answer for profits and benefits of the duchy, without any interference of the
treasurer and barons. (See Rot. Pari III. 428.) . , i • i ,
Steadily pursuino- the principle here laid down, it was by a subsequent Act^ ordained that
the ricfht of succession to the duchy of Lancaster after the king's death should belong to his eldest
son Henry, Prince of Wales, and his heirs ; and in default of heirs to Thomas, his second son, and
that the ancient rights, statutes, and customs of the duchy, should be maintained and observed
inviolate. Having thus fixed the succession to the property of the duchy by all the force of
legislative enactments, the next care of the king was to establish a court, called the Duchy Court
of Lancaster, in which all questions of revenue and council affecting the duchy possessions might
be decided. ' This court is now held at the duchy office, Lancaster Place, Strand, London, W.C. ;
thence issue all patents and commissions of office or dignities, all orders or grants affecting the limits
and revenues, and all acts of authority within the duchy. It was also a court of appeal from the
chancery of the county palatine of Lancaster, which court, as previously stated, was a court of equity
for matters of equity arising within the county of Lancaster, until the passing of the Judicature Act,
36 and 37 Vict. c. 66, s. 16, by the operation of which the jurisdiction of the Court of Common Pleas
at Lancaster has been transferred to the High Court of Justice. The Court of Criminal Jurisdiction
in no way differs from that of the Queen's ordinary court. The record office of the duchy of
Lancaster, where the deeds are deposited, has been frequently changed : within living memory,
Gray's Inn, Somerset House, and Great George's Street, has each in succession afforded them a
depository ; but the office of the duchy now seems permanently fixed within the precinct of the
ancient ducal residence of the Savoy, in Lancaster Place, Waterloo Bridge, London,^ of which
bridge the northern arch abuts against Her Majesty's inheritance of the duchy of Lancaster,
and the southern against her inheritance of the duchy of Cornwall. The duchy chambers at
Westminster being within the precincts described in old statutes as a royal residence, the
proceedings are dated before Her Majesty, " at her palace at Westminster,'' and not, as other
royal acts, at the personal residence of the monarch. In this court she is not only presumed to
be present, as in others, but to be personally acting by the advice of her chancellor, and other
ministers, for the affairs of her duchj'-.'
When that intolerable nuisance, the court of Star Chamber, existed, in contravention of the
provisions of Magna Charta, which direct that no freeman shall be deprived of his liberty or
property but by lawful judgment of his peers, the duchy of Lancaster had also its Star Chamber,
and the chancellor of the duchy and council of his court punished without law, and decreed
without authority ; but this power was swept away by the Act 16 Car. I. (1640-1), which ordained
that from the first of August, 1641, this power should be abolished in every court within the
realm, and that from henceforth no court should exercise the jurisdiction of star-chamber.''
Two years after the succession had been settled upon Prince Henry and his heirs, the manor
of Brotilby, and fee of La Haye, in the county of Lincoln, with the wardship of the castle of
Lincoln formerly in the possession of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, and which then remained in the
hands of the king, through the forfeiture of Thomas, son of Thomas, Earl of Kent, was incorporated
with his inheritance of Lancaster, as parcel of the duchy ; and it was ordained that it should
* 8 Henry TV. 1406-7. vicissitudes a great portion of tlie building was taken down in 1819 to
2 Tlie site of tlie palace of tlie Savoy, the iincient residence of the form tbe road from the Strand to Waterloo Bridge. The Savoy Church,
Dukes of Lancaster, was gi-anted, 80 Henry III. (1245-6), by tlie king to which is a "royal peculiar," and, conhequently, in many respects, free
Peter, Earl of Savoy and Richmond, uncle to his Queen Eleanor, who from episcopal control, was formerly the chapel of the hospital ; it was
erected his palace upon it. This stately residence was given by Peter de destroyed by fire in 1864, but rebuilt in 1866, at the cost of the Queen, in
Savoy to the fraternity of Mountjoy, of whom it was bought by Queen memory of the Prince Conport. — C.
Eleanor for her second son, Edmund Crouchback, Earl ot Lancaster, ■' In 1868 Her Majesty graciously presented the whole of the ancient
After the execution of her son. Earl Thomas, in 1322, the Savoy became muniments of the Duchy of Lancaster to the nation. This munificent
the property of his brother and successor, Earl Henry, who enlarged it at gift was followed, five years later, by the transfer, pursuant to a request
.an expense of 52,000 marks, making it ao magtiificent that, according to ot the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, dated 25th July, 1878, of the
Knighton, there was no mansion in the realm to be comp.ared with it in records of the Courts of Equity and Common Law, which until then were
beauty and stateliness After the decease of the earl's son, Henry, first deposited in the record rooms of Lancaster Castle, and in the charge of
Duke of Lancaster, John of Gaunt, who had married his younger daughter, three several persons : (1) The Registrar of the Court of Chancery of the
Blanche, became, in consequence, the possessor of the Savoy. Within its County Palatine, the custodian of the Chancery Records ; (2) The Protho-
walls he received and entertained the captive King John of Prance after notary, who had the charge of the Records of the Court of Common Pleas ;
the victory at Poictiers. John of Gaunt lived at the Savoy in almost (3) The Clerk of the Crown, in whose custody were the criminal proceedings
regal state ; and here, Geoffrey Chaucer, who had married Philippa, a of the Palatinate ; and the whole of these original evidences are now
lady of the Duchess Blanche's household, and the sister to Catherine carefully preserved in the Public Record OlEce, on the Rolls Estate, at
Swynford, whom the duke married for his third wife, waa a frequent the back of the old Rolls Chapel— C,
visitor, and is said to have written several of his poems while residing « In the Act for dissolving the Court of Star Chamber and taking tiway
within the palace. During John of Gaunt's occupancy, the Savoy was the whole of its powers, all the ancient statutes, including the Great
twice pillaged by a mob ; the first time in 1376, when the duke had made Charter, which declare that no freeman shall be imprisoned or condemned
himself obnoxious by his bold speech to the Bishop of London, in but by the judgment of his peers, or by the law of the land, are recited,
St Paul s, .at the citation of John Wyclifte ; the second occasion being in and it is affirmed that the authority of the Star Chamber, under tbe
1381, when the insurgents, imder Wat Tyler, reduced it to a heap of ruins, statute of Henry VII., has been abused, and the decrees ot the Court
in which condition it remained until 1605, when Henry VII. had the site have been found "to be an intolerable burden to the subjects, and tbe
cleared and commenced building thereon a hospital of St. John the Baptist, means to introduce an arbitrary power and government. "— C.
' to receive and lodge nightly one hundred poor folks." After various
CHAP. V.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
69
descend to his heirs, and that all the tenants of these possessions should he governed in the same
manner and by such officers as the other lordships and manors of the inheritance.' Henry IV.,
Duke of Lancaster, died on the 25th March, 1413, in his forty-seventh year, and was buried at
Canterbury.
Soon after Henry V. ascended the throne (in 1414) he confirmed the acts of his royal father
with regard to the Duchy of Lancaster ; and it was directed, with the sanction of Parliament, that
all the liberties and franchises of this duchy should in all things be maintained and exercised for
ever, according to the tenor of the charters already granted, and that the seal hitherto used in the
duchy, and all matters under that seal which had hitherto been given and granted, should have
force, without the reclamation of the lung or his officers ; and that the seal of the duchy should be
used for ever in transacting the business of the duchy. As several honors, castles, and manors,
which were the inheritance of Mary, one of the daughters and heiresses of Humphrey de Bohun,
Earl of Hereford, Essex, and Northampton, whose heir
the king was, had descended to him by hereditary
right, the king separated all these possessions from
the crown, and incorporated them with his duchy of
Lancaster, appointing that they should be administered
by the officers of the duchy, as they had been
accustomed to be ; and that the vassals and tenants
of this inheritance, and the resiants within the same,
should enjoy the liberties and franchise of the duchy.
He also ordained that all ecclesiastical benefices
attached to the duchy inheritance should be conferred
under the seal of the duchy, without the interference
of the chancellor and treasurer of England. To
render this ordinance complete, it was further directed
that all the castles, honors, and lands which had come
into possession of the king's father, Henry IV., m con-
sequence of a grant made in the first year of his reign
(1400), as to escheats, forfeitures, and recovery, should
be incorporated with the duchy, and that any other
honors, castles, or manors which had come by escheats,
forfeitures, or recovery should also be joined to the
duchy, and that they should be ruled and governed
by the officers and ministers of the duchy, under the
sanction of the duchy seal. ^
In the third year of the reign of Henry V. (1415)
it was directed that two of the chief seneschals (stewards)
of his inheritance for the time being, besides the number
of guardians limited by form of statutes, should act in
all the counties of the kingdom, and that they should
exercise their office of seneschal in all commissions of
the peace, and that no donations, pardons, or releases,
which concerned in any manner the duchy of Lancaster,
or that emanated therefrom, should be valid except
under the seal designed for the duchy. Two other Acts, -, • ., ^ . p xr ^rx
the first passed in the ninth year of Henry V. (1421) and the second ni the first of Henry A 1.
(1422-3) annex other possessions of the Bohun family to the duchy oi Lancaster.
It was the misfortune of Henry VI. to be deeply involved in debt ; and his expectation that
two Lancashire knights would remove all his embarrassments, by the discovery of the philosopher s
stone 1' was not sufficient to prevent his creditors from urging their demands m a tone little suited
ABMORIAL INSIGNIA OF HENEY or LANCASTER, AFTEBWABDS
KING HENKY IV, FROJI HIS TOMB AT CANTEEBUBY.
> Act of 10 Henry IV. (1409).
= The belie? m aichemy was widely prevalent at this time. In 1438
the king eommisaioned three philosophers to make the precious metals,
but, as mightT expected, he received no returns from them m either
eold or silvlr. His credulity, however, seems to have been unshaken by
dSanDOlntoent for in the twenty-fourth year of his reign (1446) he issued
hrraval licence to Sir Edmund Traflord and Sir Thomas Ashton two
LanSwre Mghts, authorising them to make gold V^X^Ttt^To^er
of which the following is a translation, was found by Fuller m the lower
of London- "Thrmng to all whom, &c., gi-eeting,-Know ye that
whereas our beloved and loyal Edmund de Trafford, knight, and Thomas
Shton kSght hive! by a certain petition shewn unto us, set forth that
nuKhthCTwf/e willing, by t^e art and science of philosophy, to
?r™?5e ftoansmute) ^perfect metals from their own kind and then to
Ssubstlntotrthim by their said art or science, as they say, into
perfect gold or silver, unto all manner of proofs or trials, to be expected
or endured as any gold or silver growing in any mine ; notwithstanding
certain persons ill-willing and maligning them, conceiving them to work
by unlawful art, and so may hinder and disturb them m the trial ot the
said art and science : We, considering the premises, and willing to know
the conclusion of the said work or science, of our special grace have
eranted and given leave to the same Edmund and Thomas, and to their
servants, that they may work and try the aforesaid art and science law-
fullv and freely, without any hindrance of ours, or of our officers, what-
soever; any statute, act, ordinance, or provision made, ordained, or
provided to the contrary notwithstanding. In witness whereof, &c., the
King at Westminster, the 7th day of April." When Henry granted this
licence he was overriding the provisions of the Act 6 Henry IV., cap. 4,
which made it felony for any of the king's subjects "to multiply gold or
silver, or to use the craft of multiplication," &o.— the only Act, it is said,
which has never been violated.— C.
70 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. v.
to the refinement of a court. To satisfy these demands he was driven to the expedient of
morto-ao-ino-, for five years, the revenues of the duchies of Lancaster and Cornwall, and the terms
of this mortgage, as given in the 18th Henry VI. (1440) sufficiently indicate the importunity of the
royal creditors, and the petulaney of the king under their demands.
The revenues of the duchy having reverted to the king, as Duke of Lancaster, an Act was
passed in the 39 Henry VI. (1460-61), appointing that there should appertain to the duchy one
chief steward and one auditor in the northern parts, and one other chief steward and one other
auditor in the southern parts, with one chancellor, one receiver-general, and one attorney -general
in and of all the duchy, with one chief-steward, and one attorney -general in the county of palatine
of Lancaster. While the mortgage existed, several new offices had been created, but by this Act
those offices were abolished as burdensome in fees and unnecessary for use. Hitherto the archives of
the duchy had been lodged in the church and priory of St. Bartholomew, in "West Smithfield,
London, much to the annoyance of the prior and his convent. On a representation that the church
had become much occupied and encumbered with " divers great chests containing the books" of
the duchy of Lancaster, and that divine service was interrupted by the entrance of ministers,
under colour of an examination of the books, and that no little disturbance was created thereby, the
king directed that the prior and convent, and their successors, should be exonerated from the
custody of the said books and documents ; and the officers of the duchy were ordered to remove
their chests, Avith their contents, out of the priory into the Tower of London, or into such other place
as might be found convenient to deposit them (1460).^
Although the court of the duchy of Lancaster was instituted in the early part of the reign of
Henry IV., no post-morte'ni inquisitions are registered in this court earlier than the first of Henry V.
(1413). The duty of collecting and arranging the inquisitions has been performed by the direction
of the Commissioners of Public Records, and a list of these inquisitions is published along with a
list of the pleadings, consisting of bills, answers, depositions, and surveys, relating to the suits in
that court, in two volumes, entitled Ducatus Lancastrice. These volumes are thus described by
the persons charged with the duty of collecting and arranging the materials : —
" According to the returns made to the select committee of the House of Commons in the year 1800, the Inquisitions Post
Mortem in this repository then found amounted to 2,400, beginning with the first year of King Henry V. (1413), and ending with
the eighteenth year of King Charles the First (1642). A more recent investigation has shown their number to amount to 3,569 ;
which it has also been found necessary to put in a better state of arrangement, and to clean, repair, and bind them in volumes.
The Pleadings consist of bills, answers, and depositions and surveys, in suits exhibited in the duchy court, commencing with the
first year of King Henry VII., and are continued to the present time. (Signed) " R. J. Hahpee.
John Calet.
Dated " Office of the Duchy of Lancaster, 1823." \Vm. Minchin."
The Inquisitions and Pleadings contain a great fund of local information ; but they would, in
the most condensed form, occupy an inconveniently large space in our county history ; and the
necessity for_ their insertion is materially diminished since the Bucatus, thanks to the liberality of
Parliament, is presented to many of the public libraries in this kingdom, and is therefore easily
accessible ; suffice it to_ say, that the records, of which the Bucatus exhibits little more than an
index, are to be found in the Record Office, in London, and their number, as far as regards the
county palatine of Lancaster, stands thus : Inquisitions Post Mortem, in vol. i 2,105 ; in vol. ii.
{Nil). Pleadings in vol. i. 1,594 ; in vol. ii. 1,589. Total 3,183.'
The hostifity of the house of York to the house of Lancaster did not extend to the revenues of
the duchy,_ for no sooner had Edward IV. ascended the throne than he confirmed all the charters
and liberties of the duchy of Lancaster, in a manner the most ample, except that he joined the
duchy inheritance to the crown," Henry VII., not to be outstripped by a member of the rival
1 39 Henry VI. (14(30). ^, . ^ of the Lords Spiritual and Temporal, and of the Commons, being in
Since the removal ol the muniments of the Duchy and Palatinate this present Parliament, and by the authority of the same, that the
of Lancaster to the Pubhc Eecord Office, a very comprehensive list of the same Henry, late called King Henry the Sixth, for the considerations
various classes of documents, illustrated by numerous examples, and of the great, heinous, and detestable matters and offences before
containing valuable lists both of persons and places, has been edited by specified by him, committed against his faith and ligeance to our
Mr. Walford D. Selby, of the Record Office, and issued by the Beoord said Liega Lord, King Edward tho Fourth, his true, righteous,
Society (vols vu. and viu.). Volume vii. deals with (1) the Records of and natural liege Lord, offended and hurt unjustly and unlawfuUy
the Duchy of Lancaster, with special reference to the Lancashire and the Royal Majesty ol our said sovereign Lord, stand by the advice
Cheshire manors belonging to it (2) the Records of the Palatinate of and assent couvicted and attainted of High Treason. And that it
Lancashire, and (3) those of the Superior and Abolished Courts as far as bo ordained and established by the same advice assent, and authority,
they relate to the two counties, the vtilue of such class of records being as that he the same Henry forfeit unto the same our Liege Lord Edward
far as possible shown by examples of the various and important docu- the Fourth, and to his heirs, and to the said Crown of England,
ments they contain. Volume vin deals with the various Indices to the all Castles, Manors, Lordships, Towns, Townships, Honors, Lands, Tene-
Records which have from time to time been compiled, together with such ments, Rents, Services, Fee-Farms, Knights' Fees, Advowsons, Heredi-
special classes of documents as Special Commissions, Liceijces and Pardons, taments, and Possessions, with their appurtenances which he or any
Royalist Composition Papers, Ac, &c., aU ol which throw much new other to his use had the third day of March last past, being of the Dutchy
Ught on the past history ot the two counties, and indicate the best of Lancaster, or that were any parcel or member of the same Dutchy, or
sources of information to be consulted by those working at either local or thereunto annexed or united in the first year of tlie reign of Henry, late
family history.— C. called King Henry tho Fifth, or at any time since. And that it bo
-'AN ACT FOR INCOHPORATINO AND ALSO FOR CoNFiscATiNa THE Ordained and established by the same advice, assent, and authority, that
Ti^'^Vj'is ^f.^T'^^'^™ ''° THE Crown of England for Ever (1 Edward the same Manors, Castles, Lordships, Honors, Towns, Townships, Lands
IV.— 14bl).— It is declared and adjudged by tho assent and advice Tenements, Rents, Services, Fee-Farms, Knights' Fees Advowsons
CHAP. V. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 71
house, enacted in the first year of his reign (1485) that all the lands of the duchy of Lancaster
which had been alienated from that inheritance in the reign of Edward IV. should be re-invested
in the king and his heirs for ever, as amply and largely, and in like manner, form, and condition,
separate from the crown of England, and possessions of the same, as the three Henrys, or EdAvard
IV., or any of them, had and held the same. Ever since the period when Henry IV. mounted the
throne of England, the duchy of Lancaster has indeed always been considered by the reignino'
monarch as one of the richest gems in the crown, though for state purposes it has been kept
separate and distinct from the regal revenues and possessions. When the Act for regulating the
order of Avards and liveries was passed, a special proviso was introduced, to guard against the
royalties, liberties, and jurisdictions of the county palatine and the duchy of Lancaster suffering
prejudice ; and when Henry VIII. had impaired the revenues of the duchy of Lancaster by a
number of gifts,_ grants, and sales, indemnity against the consequences of these alienations was
found for the king, as Duke of Lancaster, by a grant from Parliament (in 1545) of the manor of
Ripon and its dependencies in the county of York, and of the vaccary in the forest of Ashedowne,
with its rents and manors in the county of Sussex, both of which were attached to the duchy, and
the revenues received and accounted for as duchy lands. The example set by the father was
closelyand speedily imitated by his children; and in the time of Philip and Mary the duchy
possessions were restored to their former extent by an Act expressed in these very significant
terms : —
"An Act for thenlaegyxg of the Duchie of Lancastre.
" Forasmuch as the Kyng and Queue our sovereigne Lorde and Ladjie, considering and regarding the state of the Duchie of
Lancastree, heing one of the most famous Princeliest and Stateliest peeces of our said Sovereigne Ladie the Queues auncyent
Enheritance, doo pceyve and consider that the Possessions and yerely Revenues of the said Duchie arre and have been of late
greatlye diminished, as well by reason of Sundry Giftes, Grants and Sales, made by the late Kinges of famous memorye, Henry
theight and Edoarde the Sixte, late Kings of Englaude, Father and Brother to our said Sovereigne Ladie the Queues Highues, as
also by reason of sundries Exchainges made wth dyvers their loving Subjectes, of Sundry Manors, Landes, Tentes, Possessions, and
Hereditaments, lately belonging to the same Duchie ; and the Manors, Landes, Tentes, Possessions, and Hereditaments, being
receyved and taken in recompence of the said Exchangee, bee not annexed to the said Duchie, but been in thorder svey and
governance of other Courtes and Places, so by theyr Highnes taken and receyved in Exchange ; And forasmuohe also as theyr
Maties doo mynde and intende to preserve, avaunce, mayntaine, and contynue thaunoient and honourable Estate of the said Duchie ;
Our said Sovereigne Lord and Ladye therefor bee pleased and contented that yt be enacted, ordeyned, and established by their
Maties ^fb thassent of the Lordes Spuall and Temporall, and the Comons in this pnte pliament assembled, and by thauctoritee of
the same. That all Honors, Castels, Lordeshippes, Manors, Landes, Tenementea, Possessions, and Hereditamentes vpthin this
Kealme of Englande, wcli at any tyme synce the xxviijtli daye of Januarie, in the first yere of the Reigne of our saidelate Sovereigne
Lorde Kynge Edoarde the Sixte (1547), were pcell of the Possessions of the said Duchie of Lancastre, or wch were united and
annexed to the said Duchie by aucthorite of pliament hes Patentes or otherways, and wct at any time since the sayd xxviij daye of
Januarie, have been given, granted, alyenated, bargayued, solde, exchanged, or otherwayse severed from the said Duchie, by our
said late Sovereigne Lord King Edoarde the Sixte, or by our Sovereigne Lady the Queue that now ys, or by our Sovereigne Lorde
and Ladie the King and Queues Maties that now bee, to or wth any pson or psons, and wob sayd Honors, Castles, Lordshippes,
Manors, Landes, Tentes, and Hereditamentes, since such Giftes, Grants, Alienacons, Bargaynes, Sales, Exchanges, or Severance
thereof so made as is aforesaid»been, comon, or returned agayn to thandes of our said late Sovereigne Lorde King Edwarde the
Sixte, or to thandes of our said Sovereigne Ladie the Queue, or to thandes of our Sovereigne Lord and Ladie the King and Queue,
or to thandes of her Mtie, her heires, and successors, in Possession, Revercon, Remainder, or other ways, and wch now bee or remain
in thandes of our saide Sovereigne Lord and Lady the King and Queues Maties, of any estate of inheritance, shall from the time
the same came reverted agayn to thandes of our said late Sovereygne Lorde Kinge Edward the Sixte, or to thandes of our said
Sovereigne Lady the Queue, or thandes of our said Sovereyne Lord and Ladye the King and Queue, by aucthoritee and force of
this Acte bee united and annexed for ever unto the sayd Diichye of Lancastree, and shalbe adjudged, domed, and taken for ever
for, and as peels and membres of the said Duchie of Lancastre," etc.
In the following reign a systematic return was made of the fees, privileges, writs, and
advowsons attached to the duchy of Lancaster and its officers, a copy of which has been
preserved, and is as follows : —
Hereditaments, and Possessions, with their appurtenances in England, governance of the same Dutchy, and of the particular officers, ministers,
Wales, and Calais, and the Marches thereof, make, and from the said day tenants, and inhahitants thereof, m as great, ample, and large form as
of Ma^ch be to the said Dutchy of Lancaster corporate, and be called the Henry, callmg himself Henry the Fifth, at any time therein had, use,
Dutchy of Lancaster. And that our said sovereign Lord, King Edward and enjoy lawfully. And by the same authonty the said offleers and
the Fourth have seize take hold, enjoy, and inherit all the said Manors ministers, and also the said tenants and inhabitants of and in the same
and dSles and othi?' the Premisses with their appurtenances, by the Dutchy, have, use, exercise, and enjoy such and all Liberties Privileges,
^menrme of Dutch? froL all other his inheritances separate, from the and Customs, as the officers, ministers, tenants, and inh.*itants of the
saw fouJth dav of SchTo h m and to his heirs Kings of England per- same Dutchy had, used, exercised, or enjoyed lawfully m the time of the
netuallv and that the County S Lancaster be a county Palatine : And same Henry, calling himself King Henry the Fifth ; and that also in the
that our Lie J and SovereTm Lord King Edward the Fourth, and his same Dutchy be used, had, and occupied a 1 such Freedoms, Liberties,
heiiTave a^s narcel of the^^^ same County of Lancaster Franchises, Privileges, Customs, and Jurisdictions as were used therem
and Conntv PaEe and a Sell Chance lor. Judges, and Officers for the lawfully before the said fourth day of March And the ofhcers, ministers,
same- anFaflmaS^er of UbSMes.cS^t^ms Laws Royal, and Franchises tenants, and inhabitants of or m the said Dutchy be entreated and
i^Th^' fnmprn^X Palatine Cwf^V and rightfully used, and over that demeaned according to the same Freedoms, Liberties Franchises,
anoHier few caTed tte SeaTof the D^^^^ of Lancaster, and a Chancellor Customs, Privileges, and Jurisdictions, and not distrained, arcted, nor
f°r the keeping thereof, Officeis and Counsellors for the guiding and compeUed to the contrary in anywise."
72
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. V.
HEEE BEGINNETH THE BOOKE
Which is known by the name of and Treating of the Fees, Privileges, Writts, Advowsons, and
OTHER Officers that belong to the Duchy and County Palatine op Lancaster ^about 1588].
FEES OF THE DUTOHT.
The chancellor's fee of the Dutchy £238 16 4
The attorney of the Dutchy 66 5 4
The auditor for the north partes 68 13 i
The auditor for the south partes 68 13 4
[Besides to both of them murrey cloth, green cloth in the whole amount to £641 3 i
for their tables and for their lying in London, as
An Estimate of the Revenues of the Duchy op Lancaster, collected by the particular Receivers of the
Honors belonging to the said Duchy, and yearly paid by the Receiver-General.
REVENUES OF THE DUTCBT PER ANNUM.
much more as makes both their salaries amount
to £76 : 17 : 3]
The sum of all the payments which are paid to all
the officers, or allowed as salarys in the dutchy,
in the whole amount to £641
The receiver of Cliderhow and Haltou, payeth to the
general Receiver of the dutchy £1700
The receiver of Pomfrett and Knasbrough, com. 69 annis 1800
The receiver of Tiekhull 500
The receiver of Pickeringleigh 350
The receiver of Duntanborough 80
The receiver of Tutbury, p. ann 1500
The receiver of Longberington 80
The receiver of Leicester £400
The receiver of Furness 1000
The receiver of BuUingbroke 900
Augmentation of Lancaster 400
The receiver of the coUedge and chantry rents in the
county of Stafford and Derby 40
£8,600
south division.
The receiver of Higham Ferars £800
The receiver of Norfolk and Suffolk 200
The receiver of Sussex 300
The receiver of the south parts 1000
The receiver of Essex and Hartford £1000
The receiver of the marches of Wales and Monmouth ... 100
The receiver of Kilwaldid 100
£4,800
So that the whole receipts of the general receiver of the Dutchy one year with another amounteth to '£14,000
The receiver is to pay to the treasurer of his Majesties most honourable chamber £4000
And to the cofferer of his Majesties household 7000
For fees to the court officers 641 3 4
For expenses of the mass songs, and others, per ann 100
Total disbursements 11,741 3
So that remains communibus annis, in the custody of the general receiver, to be disposed of according to his majesty's
use, upon Mr. Chancellor, Sir Francis Walsingham* 2258 16
£14,000
The accounts of the duchy, as brought up to December 31, 1885, are as follo-vvs : The balance
in hand at the commencement of the year was £23,566. The net rents and profits accruing to
Her Majesty were £45,047 ; royalties, rents, &c., £14,926 ; dividends of stocks, £3,072 ; producing,
with various items of minor importance, a total gross income of £99,347, but of this only
£88,832 was paid. The arrears on the 31st December amounted to £10,515. On the disbursement
side £45,000 was paid to Her Majesty; in various payments, £22,507, including a payment of
£2,000 to the Chancellor ; leaving a balance of £21,525. The revenues of the duchy have in
thirty-eight years increased from £29,000 in 1847 to £65,265 in 1885, the net payments to Her
Majesty at these two periods being respectively £12,000 and £45,000.
A Declaration of all the Forests, Chases, and Parkes,
the Chancellor, Attorney-General, Receiver-General, and
In Lancashire.
The forest of Holland.
The forest of Wiersdale.
The forest of Bleasdale.
Legrame parke.
Miersoough parke.
Toxteth parke.
Quernmore parke.
In Cheshire.
Halton parke.
In Staffordshire.
Yoxalward parke.
Agardesley parke.
Rolleston parke.
Marchington ward.
Tutbury parke.
Hockeley parke.
Rowley parke.
High Lenis parke.
belonging to the Dutchy
two Auditors, are to have
In Derbyshire.
High Peak forest.
Shattell parke.
Melbure parke.
Mansfield parke.
Morley parke.
Posterne parke.
Ravensdale parke.
In Leicestershire.
The forest of Leicester.
OP Lancaster, out of which
deer, summer and winter.
Castle Donnington parke.
Barnes parke.
New parke of Leicester.
Tonley parke.
Pekelton parke.
In Wiltshire.
Loxley parke.
Alborne ohace.
Everley parke.
' It may be presumed that the statement of Revenue this year is
not equal to the average year, as the figures do not correspond with this
amount.
" Sir Francis Walaingham was chancellor in 158S.— (See Ust). Tliia
fixes the period when this account was taken, or the rates afiBxed, con-
ciin-ing with the Entry of the Fees of the " Justices of the fiueen's
Bench."
CHAP. V.
THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIRE.
73
Parkbs and Chases.
In HamsUire, Kiugsombunie parke.— The chaoe of Hult, and the Parke, Dorsetshire.— Kirby par
Ferrers, in Northamptonshire.
In Yorkshire.
Poulf ret parke.
CridUnge parke.
Kepax parke.
Blausby parke.
Pickeriugly forest.
Billon parke.
The old parke of Wakefield.
Hay parke.
Havery parke.
Conisbrough parke.
Altafts parke.
Acworth parke, and the New
parke of Wakefield.
In Sils.ex.
Hunsde parke.
The forest of Ashdowne.
Weecks parke.
Two other parkea there are in Suf-
folk. Eyste parke there also.
In Essex.
The Kreat parke o£ Plashey.
The little parke there.
CoppedhuU park6.
Highester parke there.
e, in Lincjlnihirs. — Higham
In Ilei-tfordshire.
Hartingfordbury parke.
Two more parkes in do.
Kingslaugby park, do.
Oldney park, Buckinyliamaldre,
Hungerford park, Berkshire.
Fees due per Annum to these Ofpiceus.
Bailifle o£ the manor of Salf ord
Bailifie of Derby wapoutake
BaiUffe of manr of West Derby
Mr of the forest of Wiersdale
M'' of Amounderness forest
The escheator of county palatine
The sheriff of Lane, hath for allowance
The constable of Liverpool castle
The maister of Symonwood forest, and keeper of
Toxteth parke hath for his fees, per annum
Steward of the wapontake of Derby and Salf ord
The receiver of the CO. palat
Porter of Lancaster castle
Steward of Amounderness
Steward of Lonsdale
Keeper of Quemmore parke
Mr of the forest wood of Myerscough
Maister of Wiresdale et Quernmore
The chancellor's fee of the county palatine, per annum
The justice of the queen's bench for his office in county
palatine
And for dyett
To another justice for his office in county palatine,
and dyett too
Atty of County palatine
Clerk of y^ crown for county
Clerk of the common pleas
Clerk of crown and pleas
Barons of the exchequer there
Cryer of the sessions at Lancaster
Master of BoUand forest
Steward of ponds for his fee
Eeceiver of Clitheroe
Steward of Blackburn, Tottington, and Clederhow, for
his fee
Constable of Clitherow castle
The keeper and porter of the gaole in the castle of
Clitherow
Messenger of the Dutchy
The keeper of the parkes' fees
Fee of the bailive of Ormskirk
Bailif of Burscough fee
£ s.
6 13
4
3
1 10
3
5
9
6 13
2
5
6 13
4 11
2
2
2 5
4 11
3
40
36 13
13 6
40
6 13
2
2
6
4
2
6 13
1
15 13
3 6
10
3
2
2 5
2
2 13
d. £ 8. d.
4 The under steward of Ormskirk appointed by the Earl
8 of Derby 2
8 Fee of the clerk of the court there 1 13 4
The fee of the auditor 28
The fee of the receiver per annum 15
The reward of the said receiver 13 6 8
The fee for Fumess 6
4 The baylives of Dalton'a fee 2
The ditto of Hawkshead's fee : 2
The ditto of Beamond and Bolton 2
Fee of all the manors pertaining to Furness
4 monastery 26
Fee of the receiver there 20
Clerk of the court there 6
Baylive of Furness liberty 4
6 Keeper of woods in plane of Furness 2
Reward of the auditor 6
8 The stipend of a clerk to serve in the chapel at
Farnworth 3
The stipend of a clerk to serve in the chapel at
4 Litherpoole , 4
8 The fee of a clerk and school mr of Walton, per
annum 5
The clerk's stipend at Blackrodes 4
4 The clerk of Clitherow stipend 3
The stipend of the clerk of Padiham Chappel 6
The Chaplin's fee in the chappel of Harewood, per
annum 4
The clerk in the chappel of Whalley 4
The stipend of a clerke to serve in tiie chappel of
4 Rufford, per annum 3
The stipend of a clerke and school maister at
4 Manchester, per annum 4
Clerke of Beokonshawe chappel 2
8 The stipend of a clerk and school-master at Leyland 3
The stipend of a clerk and school- master at Preston 2
Clerke and steward of Wigau 5
8 The clerke of Croston's stipend 3
The payment made unto seven weomen praying
8 within the late colledge, called Knowle's Alma
house, per annum 35
4 Payd to two persons and the surveyor thereof 5
13 4
10
13 4
13 4
13 4
12 10
17 5
13 4
4 U
9 1
19 2
8 11
2 2
2
16 5
17 10
18 2
10
19 9
15
10
A Note of all the Benefices and Spibitual Livings belonging to the Dutchy op Lancaster.
{r) for rectory-
Comil. Berks. £ a.
Henton Rectory 23 7
In Oomitat. Ebor.
Methley (r) clare 25 8
Darrington (■») per ann
Ackeworth (;•) per ann 22 1
Croston (r) per ann 10
Slaitbome (r) per ann
Kirkbram (with r) 12 18
Ouston (d) per ann ' 2
Castleford (r) per ann 20 13
Bradford W 20
Berwickes of Elemitt ^^ '■''
In Com. Essex.
Stamford rivers (r)
Munden (v)
11
26 13
12 12
d.
5
11
n
4
IJ
4
4
-{v) for vikarage.
Dedham (v) per ann
Essex W per ann
Longton {v) per ann
Laugham (t> or »•)
Gloucester.
Tiberton (r)
Hartford.
Saint Andrews with St. Nicholas
In Com. Lincoln.
Hartringfordbury()-)
Ounley (r) olere
Whittingham (r) —
Hantley ()•) per ann
Stoopings parva (r)
Norcot ()•)
jE s. d.
10
8
18 3 8
17
7 16
12 1
16
9 3 4
18 6 8
6 4 6
9 19 4
12 10
7^ THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. v.
KSrr.!:^::;;::::;:;;::;:::;;;:::;::::::::::::::::: S ] \ iSXia<;,::;;;::;:;;::::::;:;::;;;;;;;::::;::::::;::::;:::;: 1 S S
Salt Thetby (r) I ^n i In Comit. Northamp.
Southreston (r) q s 4 InohesterM 8
Morningerby (r) cor Passenham (r) 20
ThoreBby(r) b y b Preston (v) 15 4
In Comit. Lancastiie. Widd (d) 3 6 10
Pennington Don clear (r) BethomeW clear 13 17 4
Dalton M and clear 17 6 8 MiUome W 8 5 8
^' r ^ T ■ , Urswick ( J)) sunt Eichmondsha 7 17 4
In Com. Leicester.
Hathurend(f) 12 In Com. Stafford.
St. Peter, Leicester (f) ^ 5 Tudbury M 7
DesfordW 2 9 7 Rolston (r) 13 9 6
Whitwickevic 9 I't * Tatenhill M 26
Viccaria de pembe valet, per ann 6 6 8 Wolstanton {r) 32 3 9
Mandeoallocke seue [sive] Monobon W 9 13 4 In Com. Suffolk.
SwafieldW « io i ClareW 4 18 8
Mamelly vie. valet, per anu q 1 q Eyken (i)) 6 13 4
ShibdenW « * ^ Holmesett W cleare
Tranche ()■)••■ -^" ^° * Stratford 13 "
Southropes W k ^a n Somersham ()•) 8
Sydestrond (r- R Tn (i
Northrope (r)
Mondesley ()•)
Sydestrond (r) n n n Hunden (v) 7 13 4
Northrope (r)
' ■ - 8 9 9 -^1 Oo. Wilts.
'," /^ 'v Af 7n Poole (»•) 17 12 5
In Comit. Norfolk. Ashley (r) 9 16 4
Themmgham rector faOU ^ ^ „r . , ,
Withrope(r) 5 5 2 In Co. Westmorland.
Malilaske(r) .' 5 Orton (ii) 16 17 4
" The valuation o£ some parsonages and vicarage.9 within the dutchy appeareth not in the records remaining in the dutchy
office, but may be found in the office of the first-fruits, where the same are best known."— ^ircA's MSS.
From the time of Queen Elizabeth to the reign of Charles II. no material change took place
in the duchy court of Lancaster, with the exception of the abolition of the duchy court of
Star Chamber already noticed; but in the 12th Charles II. (1660) the last remaining vestige of
the feudal system, after having existed in this country for at least six hundred years, was swept
away, ^ and with it the privileges of wards and liveries attached to the duchy of Lancaster,
although those privileges had been thought worthy of special protection a century before. The
progress of knowledge had burst the bonds of vassalage, and although the system introduced, or
completed, by the Norman conquerors, had taken deep root, and identified itself with the whole
frame of society, the tenures in capite, and knights service, were now declared " more burthen-
some, grievous, and prejudicial to the kingdom than beneficial to the king," and they were,
therefore, for ever abolished. During the interval between the year 1642, when the public
treasury passed into the hands of the Parliament, and the year 1660, when Charles II. obtained
the royal inheritance, the revenues of the duchy of Lancaster were applied to the exigences of
the state, first under the administration of Lord Newburgh, and subsequently under the
chancellorships of William Lenthall, Speaker of the House of Commons, John (President)
Bradshawe, Thomas Fell, and Sir Gilbert Gerard, Bart. ; the latter of whom was displaced at the
Restoration by Francis Lord Seymour, who, as a mark of the royal favour, obtained this
lucrative appointment for his attachment to the House of Stuart. To facilitate the proceedings in
the duchy court, an Act was passed in the 16th and 17th Charles II. (1665), empowering the
chancellor of the duchy to grant commissions for taking affidavits within the county palatine of
Lancaster, and other places in the several counties of the kingdom within the survey of the duchy
court, whereby the same validity was given to those affidavits as if they had been sworn, as
hitherto, in the duchy chamber at Westminster, and to render these proceedings, in the incipient
state, as little burthensome as possible, it was directed that the very moderate fee of twelve pence,
and no more, should be received by the person empowered to take the affidavits.
The Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster is an officer of considerable eminence, changing
with the Government, and frequently having a seat in the Cabinet. He holds his office by letters
patent, and, if a peer, takes precedence according to his rank in the peerage ; if not, he takes
precedence next after the Chancellor of the Exchequer and immediately before the Lord Chief
Justice of the Queen's Bench. He formerly sat as judge of the duchy court of Lancaster held at
Westminster, in which all causes any way relating to the revenue of the duchy were tried, another
branch of the same court being established at Preston, called the Court of the County Palatine of
Lancaster, for the same purpose in that county as the other was at Westminster, The duties of
» Rot. Pari. 12 Citr. II. p. 3. nu, i,
OHAP. V. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 75
the office are no^y nominal. The chancellor has the appointment to forty-one livings in various
parts of the country, and of all the borough magistrates within the county of Lancaster. In recent
years he has acted as Vice-president of the Committee of the Privy Council on Agriculture.
From the first creation of the duchy of Lancaster, in 1351, to 1886, there have been one
hundred and thirteen chancellors of the duchy. The following is a complete list of those
officers : —
Chancellors of the Duchy and County Palatine of Lancaster, from the first Creation of the
Dukedom in 1351, to the present time, December, 1886.
34 Edward III Sir Henry de Haydok Chancellor of Henry, first duke, 1360.
46 Edward III Ralph de Ergham, clerk Bishop of Sarum, 1372.
51 Edward III Thomas de Thelwall, clerk Created Chancellor of Co. Pal., 16th April, 1377.
1 Richard II Sir John de Yerborongh, clerk
6 Richard 11 Sir Thomas Stanley November 10th, pro temp., 1382.
6 Richard II John Scarle November 29th, 1382.
7 Richard II Sir William Okey October, 1383.
1 Henry IV John de Wakering 1399-1400.
1 Henry IV William Burgoyne, Esq 1399-1400.
6 Henry IV Sir Thomas Stanley May 15th, 1405.
11 Henry IV John Springthorpe, clerk March 30th, 1410.
1 Henry V John Woodhouse 4th April, 1413.
1 Henry VI John Woodhouse, contd 20th January, 1423.
2 Henry VI William Troutbecke, Esq 10th June, 1424.
9 Henry VI Walter Sherington, clerk 16th February, 1431.
17 Henry VI William Troutbeck 7th May, 1439, Chancellor for life.
20 Henry VI William Tresham 3d July, 1442, Chancellor in reversion.
26 Henry VI William Tresham 1st November, 1447.
27 Henry VI John Say, Esq .'.. 10th June, 1449.
1 Edward IV John Say, Esq. 16th June, 1461.
11 Edward IV Sir Richard Fowler, Kt 10th June, 1471, also Chan, of Excheq.
17EdwardIV Sir John Say, Kt 3rd November, 1477.
18 Edward IV Thomas Thwaitea 2nd April, 1478, also Chan, of Excheq.
1 Richardlll Thomas Metcalfe 7th July, 1483.
1 Henry VII Sir Reginald Bray, Knt 13th September, 1485.
19 Henry VII Sir John Mordant, Knt 24th June, 1504.
21 Henry VII Sir Richard Empson, Knt 3rd October, 1505.
1 Henry VIII Sir Henry Marny, Knt 14th May, 1509.
14 Henry VIII Sir Richard Wingfield, Knt 14th April, 1523. . r- i i
17 Henry VIII Sir Thomas More, Knt 31st December, 1525, made Chancellor of England.
21 Henry VIII Sir William Fitzwilliams, Knt 3rd November, 1529 (after Earl of Southampton).
35 Henry VIII Sir John Gage, Kut 10th May, 1543.
1 Edward VI Sir William Paget, Knt 1st July, 1547.
6 Edward VI Sir John Gate, Knt 7th July, 1552.
1 Queen Mary Sir Robert Rochester, Knt 1553—54.
4 & 5 Philips; Mary.. Sir Edward Walgrave, Knt 22nd June, 1558.
1 Elizabeth Sir Ambrose Cave, Knt 1558—59.
10 Elizabeth Sir Ralph Sadler, Knt 16th May, 1568.
19 Elizabeth ..Sir Francis Walsingham, Knt 15th June, 15/7.
32 EUzabeth Sir Thomas Henage, Knt 1590.
37 Elizabeth Sir Robert Cecil, Knt !*?,.^cP J'^\ i«m
43 EUzabeth Sir John Fortescue, Knt 16th September, 1601.
13 James I Sir Thomas Parry, Knt., and John
Daccomb, Esq 27th May, 1615.
14 James I Sir John Dacoombe, Knt 5th June, 1616
15 James I Sir Humphrey May, Knt 23rd March 1618.
5 Charles I Edward, Lord Newburgh 16th April, 1629.
Feb. 10th, 1644 William, Lord Grey of Wake, and WiUiam
Lenthall, Esq. ,. TCio
1649 John Bradshawe 1st August, 1649.
1655 Thomas Fell .,\^ iacn
1659 ::: sir GUbert Gerard, Bart It^.^^^'-ifn
12 Charles II Charles, Lord Seymour of Trowbridge -9tli J^iY' il";
16 Charles II Sir Thomas Ingram, Knt ^i'*'',?^?' ^®^*'i«vi
23 Charles II Sir Robert Car^r, Knt. and Bart fl^l'^'TJ' ^^'^■
32 Charles II Sir Thomas Ingram, Knt. Feb- 14, 1680
34 Charles II Sir Thomas Chicheley, Knt ^I\' 2°"^ i fiio
1 Wmlam and Mary..Robert, Lord Willoughby of Eresby ^Ist March 1689.
9 William III .Thoma.«, Earl of Stamford 4th May, 1697.
1 Q-- ^-<= ^^-^ 'tr,YLZ''oo::^\^'l.'^Z..in^ May, 1702.
I tZtZ :..::;^«^^^Sfeof-st;a^.n::-S;^S jno.
1 GeorKe I Henage, Earl of Aylesford ^^t^T'f^h],
oGeorl! I Richard, Earl of Scarborough 12th March, 1715.
3 Georle I. Nicholas Lechemere, Esq. (afterwards
a ueorge ^^^^ Lechemere forlife) 19th June, 1717.
1 George II Joli°. Duke of Rutland 17th July, 1727.
76
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap, v
8 Georee II George, Earl of Cholmondeley May, 1735.
16 Georfe II. Richtrd, Lord Bdgecumbe 22nd December, 1742.
34 George II Thomas Hay, Viscount Dupplm (after-
6i ixeorge ^arda Earl of Kinnoull) 27th February, 1760.
3 George III James, Lord Strange .......13tli December, 1^62
11 George III Thomas, Lord Hyde (afterwards Earl of
^ Clarendon) 1**^ J""?; \^J}^
22 Georselll John, Lord Ashburton 17th April, 1782
fsSe III. :::::":-Edward, Earl of Derby 29th August 1783.
24 George III ...Thomas, Earl of Clarendon 31st December, 1783.
27 George III Charles, Lord Hawkesbury (afterwards w 17S7
^ Lord Lirerpool) 6th September, 1/87.
44 George III Thomas, Lord Pelham (afterwards Earl
^ of Chichester) 11th November, 1803.
44 George III Henry, Lord Mulgrave 6th June, 1804
45 George III Robert, Earl of Buckinghamshire 11th January, 1805.
45 Georgelll Dudley, Lord Harrowby (afterwards Earl
of Harrowby) 10th July, 1805.
46 Georgelll Edward, Earl of Derby 12th February, 1806.
47 George III The Right Hon. Spencer Perceval (after-
wards First Lord of the Treasury)^ 30th March, 1807.
52 Georgelll Robert, Earl of Buckinghamshire 25th May, 1812.
52 George III The Right Hon. Charles Bathurst 23rd June, 1812.
4 Geora-e IV Nicholas Vansittart (afterwards Lord
*^ Bexley) 13th February, 1823.
9 George IV George, Earl of Aberdeen, K.T 26th January, 1828.
9 George IV The Right Hon. Charles Arbuthnot 2od June, 1828.
1 William IV . .. Henry Richard, Lord Holland 25th November, 1830.
5 WilliamlV Charles Watkin Williams Wynn 26th December, 1834.
5 WilliamlV Henry Richard, Lord Holland (again) 23rd April, 1835.
4 Victoria Geo. William Frederick, Earl of Clarendon. .Slst October, 1840.
4 Victoria Sir George Grey, Bart 23rd June, 1841.
5 Victoria Chas. Henry Somerset, Lord Granville ...3rd September, 1841.
10 Victoria John, Lord Campbell (appointed Lord
Chief Justice, K.B.. 1850) 6th July, 1846.
13 Victoria Geo. Frederick Wilham, Earl of Carlisle ...6th March, 1850.
15 Victoria A. Christopher 27th February, 1852.
16 Victoria Edward Strutt (afterwards Lord Belper) 28th December, 1852.
18 Victoria Granville George, Earl Granville, K.G. ...January, 1855.
18 Victoria Dudley, Earl of Harrowby, K.G 10th February, 1855.
19 Victoria Matthew Talbot Baines December, 1855.
21 Victoria James, Duke of Montrose, Knt 25th February, 1858.
22 Victoria Sir George Grey 18th June, 1859.
24 Victoria Edward Card well (afterwards Viscount
Cardwell) July, 1861.
27 Victoria George William Frederick, Earl of Claren-
don, KG April, 1864.
29 Victoria George Joachim Goschen January, 1866.
30 Victoria William Reginald, Earl of Devon July, 1866.
30 Victoria John Wilson Patten (afterwards Lord
Winmarleigh) June, 1867.
32 Victoria Colonel Thomas Edward Taylour September, 1868.
32 Victoria Frederick Temple, Earl of Dufferiu December, 1868.
35 Victoria Hugh Culling Eardley Childers August, 1872.
36 Victoria John Bright September, 1873.
36 Victoria Colonel Thomas Edward Taylour 21st February, 1874.
42 Victoria John Bright 28th April, 1880.
45 Victoria John, Earl of Kimberley, pro iem July, 1882.
46 Victoria John George Dodsoii (afterwards Lord
Monk Bretton) December, 1882.
47 Victoria George Otto Trevelyan October, 1884.
47 Victoria Henry Chaplin June, 1885.
48 Victoria Edward Heneage 7th February, 1886.
48 Victoria Sir Ughtred James Kay-Shuttleworth, BtMaroh, 1886.
49 Victoria Lord John James Robert Manners August, 1886.
Wo have thus sketched, with a rapid hand, principally from official documents, a connected
and authentic history of the duchy of Lancaster, one of " the most famous, princeliest, and state-
liest of inheritances." The connection of the duchy with the ducal and royal House of Lancaster
is too close to admit of separation. They serve to illustrate and to ennoble each other, and to have
exhibited them apart would have derogated from the dignity of both. In each successive reign,
from the period when Henry of Bolingbroke ascended the throne of this kingdom to the present
time, with the exception of the interregnum of the Commonwealth, the sovereigns of England have
enjoyed the title of duke and the revenues of the duchy of Lancaster, both of which are now in
' When Mr. Percovat became First Minister of tlie Crown in 1800, he ChanceUor of tho E.<ohecluor, the only instance on record of the tliree
continued to bold the office of Chancellor of the Diichy of Liincaster con- ofBces having been united In the same individual.— 0.
jointly with the two superior offices of First Lord of tho Treasury and
CHAP. V. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
77
possession of our gracious sovereign, and will descend as an inalienable inheritance to the successors
01 tne present monarch.
The proceedings of the duchy court, during a period of over four hundred and eighty years
are lull of interest m all the counties of the kingdom to which the duchy extends, but in the
county palatine of Lancaster they have a pecuhar claim to that distinction; and it may tend
essentially to the convenience of those who at present, or in future times, may have occasion to
consult the records of that duchy, to be presented with the following authentic information, both
as to their nature, and as to their places of deposit :
The Ducht Eecords.
"Eetum from the Deputy- Clerk of the Council, and Keeper of the Eeoorde in the Duchy of Lancaster, to the Committee ou the
PuMio Records of this Kmgdom, made m virtue of an order from the select Committee, with an answer to the enquiry,
Whether all the Becorda of the Duchy are open to public inspection ? i J'
" In obedience to your Order of the 21st February last, I herewith return answers to the several Queries put to me, with respect
to the Recoi;d3 of this Office, under the Custody of the Clerk of the Council, and the two Auditors, to whom I, in this respect, act
as deputy ; but beg leave at the same Time to state, that such only are considered as public, and open for public Inspection, as in
any w^e relate to, or concern Judicial Proceedings, the remainder being collected for the purpose of better managing and improving
the Inheritance of his Majesty's Possessions in right of his Duchy of Lancaster ; and the Ofacers of the Duchy think themselves at
liberty to withhold them from public inspection, except for the purposes before mentioned, or by command of his Maiesty, as Duke
of Lancaster, signified by his chancellor of the Duchy.
" The Answer to the First Question is contained in the following list of Records in the Office of the Duchy of Lancaster :—
Account of the purchase Money arising from the Sale of Rents under the several acts of Parliament,— 19 Geo. III. 1779 to the
present time [i.e. 1800].
Awards for inclosures, in which the Duchy Property has been concerned,— 27 Geo. II. 1754, to the present Time.
Bills and Answers and Depositions in the Duchy Court of Lancaster, and of such as have been transmitted from the County Palatine
to be heard in the Duchy Court, — 1 Hen. VII. to the present Time.
Charters and Grants of various Kings under the Great Seal, as well as of private Persons (remaining in Boxes), to the King's Sons,
and to Ecclesiastical Persons, of Lands within the Surveys of the Duchy,— 1 King Stephen, 1135, to 10 Queen Elizabeth,
1558. (? 1568)
Charters and Grants in Fee Farm, some of which are enrolled in the Office, and others remain ou Parchmeut, with the Royal Sign
Manual. The original Charters of the Duchy and County Palatine to the King's Son, and Grants of Lands to Individuals of
the possessions of the Duchy, — 51 Ed. III. 1377, to 1 Queen Anne, 1702.
Court Rolls of such Manors as formerly belonged to the Duchy, and have since been granted away, and of such as are at present
demised by Leases under the Duchy Seal, — 1283 to the present Time.^
Decrees of the Duchy Court inrolled in Books, and some drafts with the Attorney General's Signature,— 1 Hen. VII. to the
present Time.^
Grants of Rents under the several Acts, to enable the Chancellor and Council to dispose of the Fee Farm and other Rents, and to
enfranchise Copyhold Estates, — 20 Geo. III. 1780, to the present Time.
Inquisitions Post Mm-lem, consisting of 2400 of various Lands and Tenements, within aU the Counties in England, — 1 Hen. V. J413,
to 18 Car. 1, 1642.3
Leases, Drafts, and Inrolments, of such as have passed the Duchy Seal, of Land and Tenements, Parcel of the Possessions of the
Duchy, — 1 Hen. VIII. 1510, to the present Time.
Ministers and Receivers Accounts of the Rents and Revenues of the Duchy, — 1135, to the present Time.
Patents of Offices granted under the Duchy Seal, — 1 Hen. VIII. 1510, to the present Time.
Presentations to Livings under the Duchy Seal, — 1 Hen. VIII. 1510, to the present Time.
Rentals and Particulars of Lands belonging to the Duchy, collected together in Bags and Presses, and consisting of various other
documents, of such Descriptions, that they cannot be comprised under one Head, registered into Counties, and in the Catalogue
are the Names of places alphabetically arranged, — 51 Ed. III. 1377, to the present Time.
Registers of Leases, Warrants, Grants, and other Documents, under Royal Signs Manual, inrolled in Books, of John, Duke of
Lancaster, in the Time of Edw. the Third, and of various Kings, relating to the Possessions of the Duchy, — 51 Edw. III. 1377,
to 8 Hen. VI. 1430.
Revenue Proceedings in Duchy Court inrolled in Books, — 6 Car. I. 1630, to the present Time.
Special Commissions of Sewers, and to survey estates belonging to the Duchy, — 23 Eliz. (1581), to the present Time.
Privy Seals and Bills, being the particulars prepared previous to the granting any Leases or Offices under the Duchy Seal, — 1 James
I. (1603), to the present Time.
" The Building wherein the Records are kept is situate on the East Side of Somerset Place,* is in good Condition and Security,
with respect to the Rooms where the Records are deposited ; but many of them have been obliged to be lately removed from the
lower part on account of the Dry Rot, which has affected the Basement Story. As the Records yearly increase, more Room will be
wanted at some future Period, for the Accommodation of them. The Office was appropriated to the use of the Duchy of Lancaster
under the Act for erecting the Buildings at Somerset House, and is therefore public Property. But this office was given to the
Duchy in consideration of Accommodations and Concessions made by his Majesty in right of his Duchy, from such parts of the
manor of Savoy as belonged to the Duchy. The Records, except those of very ancient Date (which were, in some degree, destroyed
by the vermin in the late office), are in good preservation ; and such as are not contained in Books are arranged in Presses, according
1 These documents, wliicli at the present time are under arrange- the Orders and Decrees enrolled Is, by the ancient calendars, .alpha-
ment include rolls for the foUowing places in Lancashire ; Accrington betically arranged, under the name of Plaintiff and Defendant. — C.
Manor Amoundemess Wapentake, Beamont in Bolton, Blackburnshire, ' The IwniAsitiona pout mortem were taken either before the
Poseeasions of Burscough Priory, Possessions of Cartmell Priory, Esoheator of the County Palatine or before special Commissioners, by
Chatbume Manor Clitheroe, Colne Manor, Colton, Possessions of virtue of Writs of Diem clamit extrenuim, or commissions emanating
Conishead Priory 'Great Crosby Manor, Dalton Manor, Flookborough, from the Court of Chancery of the Palatinate. They begin before
Possessions of Fa'mess Monastery, IghtenhuU Manor, Liverpool Lord- Henry V., the earliest being of the reign of Edward I., and they eome
shin Lonsdale Hundred Ormskirk Manor, Pendleton Manor, Penwortham down to the time of Charles I., though only a very small portion are
Manor Bochdale Hundred, Salford Wapentake, Tottington Manor, of an earlier date than the reign of Henry VIL They are all arranged
Ulverston Barony West Derby Htmdred and Worston Manor.— 0. and bound in volumes, the references being by means of the printed
« The Decrees and Orders made in Suits originated in the Duchy calendar.— C. ,,„„,,.„ j r>o5 n
Chambers are enrolled in 47 thick volumes, beginning in the reign of ♦ The Records are now removed to the Public Kecord umoe.— U.
Edward IV. and coming down to the present time. The reference to
78 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap, v
to their Dates, tied up with paper and string, and numerically indorsed ; and in the course of every summer a person is employed to
remove the Dust from them, and put new paper and string to such as want it. The Books are deposited in Closets, indorsed
according to their dates and Subjects. There are correct general Indexes, Repertories, and Calendars, of all the Records in the
Office with reference to the particular Subjects which they contain ; and as fresh Records are transmitted to the Office, they are
continued to be entered in existing Calendars ; and these additions are minutely attended to, without any Expense on that account
being borne by the Ifing as Duke of Lancaster. Several Years ago, according to what I have been informed, a Fire happened at the
Duchy's Office, Gray's Inn, by which accident several Records were destroyed, and some are supposed to have been stolen. Some of
these have been recovered from persons who have voluntarily surrendered them ; and some few Indexes and Catalogues, which had
been made for the use of the officers who had the care of the Records ; but I know of none now existing in any place, from whence
they are likely to be regained ; and such ample Repertories have since been made, and the Records arranged in such order, that
they would hardly be of use if recovered. I am employed in the arrangements of the Records myself, and a clerk assists me in
placing and replacing them, for which no Salary or allowance whatever is paid, but a fee of 8s. 6d. is charged for the production of
each Record, which is the sole allowance, as well for the trouble and producing them, as for arranging them and keeping them in
proper preservation, and for making the Indexes, Repertories, and Calendars, and the further sum of Is. is charged per folio for
Copies, or 16d. if there is any considerable difficulty arising from the Antiquity or Language of the Record. Attendance with the
Records themselves is so seldom demanded, that no Fee has been regularly settled for that purpose ; but if in London, a charge is
made of one guinea, besides the coach-hire ; and if in the country, two guineas a day, with the travelling charges, and all other
expenses, would be expected. No account has been kept of the profits derived by searches for public records, independent of those
where fees have been received for other searches, from whence any average can be taken. The answer to the Sixth Question is, I
presume, contained in the answer to the foregoing questions. I am not apprised of any regulation that can be made for rendering
the use of the said Records more convenient for proper Inspection.
" May 8, 1800. " R- J- Haeper, Deputy-Clerk of the Council."
"Several Fee Farm Rolls of this Duchy have been lately transferred to this Office from the Augmentation Office."
" Return to a further Question to the Clerk of the Council and Keeper of the Records of the Duchy of Lancaster.
" Query. — Are there in your custody, as such Officer, any Calendars, or Indexes to the Inquisitions Post Mortem mentioned in
your Return to this Committee, and upon what plan are they formed — and are they in a state sufficiently correct for pubUcation, if
it should be thought to conduce to the benefit of the Public to have the same printed ? "
" Answer. — 'There are, as stated in my former Return, several Inquisitions Post Mortem, Traverses, and other Inquisitions of
divers kinds, remaining in this Office under my care, commencing in the beginning of the Reign of Henry V. and finishing 18 Charles
I., amounting to nearly 2,400 in number, some of which consist of many large Skins of Parchment put on Files, in several bundles,
secured from future injuries by strong covers, and to which there is a regular Alphabetical Index and Calendar, in one Volume
divided into the several Reigns of the Kings before mentioned, and containing the names of Persons, and all places mentioned in
each Inquisition, omitting none that are legible. The first directing immediately to the several lands each person died possessed
of ; the other referring to each Inquisition, in which any particular Lands are to be found. I know of no objection to publishing
the above Index, if it should be thought conducive to the public benefit ; and understand it will fill about 90 Pages when printed.
"June 27, 1810. " R. J. Hakpeb, Deputy-Clerk of the Council."
Through the munificent gift of Her Majesty the Queen, the nation acquired in 1868 the ■whole
of the valuable private muniments belonging to the duchy of Lancaster. This collection of records,
commencing even before the creation of the palatinate, contains innumerable documents of extra-
ordinary age and variety, relating not only to the county palatine as a subordinate regality, but to
the government and jurisdiction of the entire dominion of the duchy, with its possessions in almost
every county in the Idngdom. These archives -were transferred from the Duchy Office, Lancaster
Place, to the Public Record Office, between the 30th November and 8th December, 1868, and are
fully described in the Appendix to the Thirtieth Report of the Deputy Keeper of the Public Records,
pp. 1 to 43.^ In this report they are arranged under thirty-three divisions or classes, the contents
of which are given in a condensed form in the following summary : —
Summary.
1. Pleadings or proceedings by bill, and answers 12. Privy seals and bills for patents, and grants
in the Chancery of the Duchy of Lancas- of lands and manors, Henry VII. to 1767..
ter, Henry VII. to Elizabeth, arranged and 13. Draft patents, Philip and Mary to 1760
bound in separate volumes 213 vols. 14. Draft leases, Henry VIII. to 1760
2. Bills and answers in bundles, 1603-1809 207 bundles. 15. Counterparts of leases, Edward VI. to 1758...
3. Depositions, examinations, surveys, &c., 16. Draft presentations to churches, Elizabeth
Henry VIII. to Philip and Mary, arranged to George I
and bound in volumes 81 vols. 17. Draft warrants and commissions to survey. &c.,
4. Depositions, examinations, surveys, &c., 13 Elizabeth to 1785 '.
in bimdles, Elizabeth to 1818 198 bundles. 18. Books of surveys of lands, manors, etc
5. Books of orders and decrees enrolled, 19. Books of surveys of woods
Edward IV. to 1825 47 vols. 20. Judges' commissions, &o., 1675 to 1774
6. Draft decrees, Henry VIIL to George I, in 21. Sheriffs' bills, 1684 to 1758
bundles 139 bundles. 22. Draft commissions of sewers, &o., 30 Elizabeth
7. Inquisitions post mortem, Edward L to to 1800
Charles L, bound in volumes 30 vols. 23. Inquisitions or extents for debt, Ehzabeth to
8. Draft injunctions, 12 James I. to 1748 23 bundles. Charles II
9. Affidavits, reports, certificates, orders, peti- 24. Security bonds, Henrv VIIL to 1716
tions, &c., 2 Ehzabeth to 1800 26 „ 25. Large collection of miscellaneous records in
10. Several boxes containing original charters drawers, distinguished by letters of the
and grants under seal alphabet, A to Z, and AA to HH
11. Registers, cowchers, and books of enrolment 26. Miscellaneous records, catalogued and de-
of patents, leases, &c 115 vols. scribed 43
43 bundles.
47 „
104 „
61 „
3 „
80 bundles.
30 vols.
13 „
9 bundles.
5 „
5 „
7 „
' Jhi^ general inventory was prepared by Mr. William Hardy, the prpsent Danuty Koopor of the Publio Records, who had the custody of
these documents provioua to their transfer from the Duohy of Laucastur Office.— C.
CHAP. V.
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE.
79
27. Misoellaneoua (undescribed) 11 bundles.
28. Ministers' accounts, viz., of the wardrobe and
treasurer of the household, receiver
general's accounts, and valores or states
of revenue, Edward III. to 1771 23 „
29. Ministers' accounts of honors and manors,
Edward I. to 1760 455 „
30. Court rolls, Edward I. to 1760 85 bundles,
31. Old plans and maps contained in a large box,
numbered respectively 1 to 117
32. Oliver Cromwell's surveys
33. Calendars and indices to many of the above
60 vols.
The Seal of the Duchy of Lancaster is as ancient as the duchy itself ; as is also the Seal of
the County Palatine. The seal of the duchy remains with the chancellor of the duchy at West-
minster ; that of the county palatine is kept at Preston, in the office of the keeper of the seal.
All grants and leases of land, tenements, and offices, in the county palatine of Lancaster, in order
to render them valid, must pass under the seal of the county palatine, and no other ; and all
grants and leases of lands, tenements, and offices out of the county palatine, and within the survey
of the duchy, must pass under the seal of the duchy, and no other seal.^ The custom, however,
is to seal all deeds of lands, &c., within the county palatine with both the duchy and the county
palatine seals, and all without the county, but within the survey of the duchy of Lancaster, with
the duchy seal only. These seals are essentially the same as those that have been used since the
days of John of Gaunt, but new seals are engraved in each successive dukedom. Those at present
in use are extremely splendid, and may rank amongst the first effijrts of art in this department.
The Duchy Seal.
Represents the Queen seated on her throne, in royal robes, wearing the Collar of the Most Noble
Order of the Garter, and the Imperial Crown. In her right hand she holds the Royal Sceptre, and
her left hand supports the Orb and Cross. On the dexter side, with the arm resting upon the
throne, is an allegorical figure of Law, holding the sword by the point in one hand and a book in
THE DUCHY SEAL.
the other Supporting the throne, on the sinister side, is the figure of Justice, holding the balance
on one hand and the sword on the other. In the two outer compartments there are, on the dexter
side a Lion seiant, crowned with the Imperial Crown, and supporting between the paws a Banner
of Arms of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland ; and, on the sinister side a Unicorn
seiant and addorsed, gorged with a Prince's Crown, and supporting a Banner of Arms of the Duchy
of Lancaster viz nules, three lions passant guardant or, a label of three points, each charged with
three fleurs-de-lis. In the rear of the throne is a winged figure representing Fame, with two trum-
pets, and round the Seal is the Royal style—
VicTOKiA • Dei • Gratia • Britanniarvm • Begina • Fidei • Defensor.
On the reverse is a Shield of the Arms of the Duchy, placed in pale, between two ostrich
feathers erect ermine, each issuant from an escrol. Above the Shield is a ducal helmet, from
' Sir Edward Coke's Fourth Part of the Institutes of the Lawa of England, fo. 210.
80
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
OHAP. V.
which flows the lambrequin, and on the helmet rests the crest, being upon a chapeau, turned-up
ermine, a lion statant guardant, gorged with a label of three points, each charged with three
fleurs-de-lis. The Seal is circumscribed with the inscription—
iiflillMm
jMcatttsi
'giMSMixiM.
The County Palatine Seal.
Represents the Queen on horseback, upon a mount in base, with the Royal sceptre in her right
hand On the dexter side is a rose, ensigned by a prince's coronet. Beneath the mount is a
talbot dog courant, gorged with a collar, and the whole is circumscribed with the Royal style—
ViCTOHiA Dei Grat : Beitanniaeum Regina Fid : Def :
The reverse of the Seal bears a Shield of the Arms of the Duchy as above described, surmounted
by a helmet with the lambrequin. On each side of the Shield is an ostrich feather erect, ermine,
issuant from an escrol. The Seal is circumscribed—
SiGILLUM COMITAT. PaLATIN. LaNCASTEI^E.
THE COUNTY PALATINE SEAL.
Although the offices of the duchy and the county palatine, except that of the chancellor's,
are little subject to political changes, the list of ofiicers is frequently varying by the inevitable
operations of time. In December, 1886, these lists were as follows: —
Officers of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Chancellor — The Right Hon. Lord John James Robert Manners,
G.C.B., M.P.
Vice-Chancellor — Henry Fox Bristowe, Esq., Q.C.
Attorney-General — Henry Wyndham West, Esq., Q.C.
Receiver-General — General the Right Hon, Sir Henry Frederick
Ponsonby, K.C.B.
Auditor — Francis Alfred Hawker, Esq.
Clerk of the Council and Registrar — John Gardner Dillman
Engleheart, Esq., C.B.
Coroner — Samuel Frederick Langham, Esq.
Clerk in Court and Solicitor — Francis Whitaker, Esq.
Officers of the County Palatine.^
Chancellor — The Right Hon. Lord John James Robert Manners,
G.C.B., M.P.
Lord Lieutenant — The Right Hon. the Earl of Sefton.
High Sheriff (1886) — Sir Andrew Barclay Walker, Baronet.
Attorney-General — (In abeyance.)
Comptroller, Chancery of Lancaster — W. E. Sanger, Esq.
District Registrar of the Chancery of Lancashire — Alexander
Pearce, Esq.
Clerks to the Lieutenancy — Messrs. Wilson, Deacon, Wright,
and Wilsons.
Under Sheriff— W. T. Sharp, Esq.
Acting Under Sheriffs — Messrs. Wilson, Deacon, Wright, and
Wilsons.
Constable of Lancaster Castle — The Right Hon. Lord
Winmarleigh.
Seal Keeper and Clerk of Assize and Associate — Thomas
Moss Shuttleworth, Esq.
Clerk of the Peace — Frederick Campbell Hulton, Esq.
Deputy Clerks of the Peace — Thomas Wilson and Samuel
Campbell Hulton Sadler, Esqs.
• For a list of various other County OtBoers— as Chief and other Constables, Keopora of Gaols, Bridgomasters, Surveyors, etc.— see Appendix No. III.
CHAP. V.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
81
Laurence Holden— Lancaster.
Frederick Price — Salford.
James Broughton Edge — Bolton.
F. N. Molesworth— Rochdale.
Coroner for the Liberty and Manor of Furness, Ulverston—
John Poole.
Coroner for the Manor of Walton-le-Dale— William Ascroft.
CoRONEES.
Henry John Robinson— Blackburn.
Samuel Brighouse— Ormskirk.
Dr. Joseph B. Gilbeitson— Preston.
Coroner for the Manor of Prescot— Frederick Smith
Coroner for the Manor of Hale.— John R. Buoton.
• t J .? 1 7'^^*^^^7 °f the duchy of Lancaster, seals were, no doubt, in use, and the words
in the act already quoted, serves to prove that it was not now introduced for the fi;st time
In the British Museum^ there is a manuscript entitled "Ducatus Lancastri^," on the^subiect
of the honors and dignities of the dukedom of Lancaster, written in the a<.e of Elizabeth and
attributed to Sir William Fleetwood, recorder of London, one of the worthLSf Lancashire which
supphes a hiatus m the early period of the history of the honor of Lancaster, wherein the earned
civilian scrutinises the claims of Edmund Crouchback to the title of Earl of Lancaster with as little
ceremony as he was accustomed to use in scrutinising the representations of the suitors in the
recorder s court.
Ducatus Lakcastri^,-
Lancaster is an ancient honor ; ite dukedom being made of a number of honors. Honors were dignities before the Conauest.
as may be seen by the agreement made between Kmg Stephen and Henry, Duke of Normandy, son to Maude the empress for suc-
cession of the crown. Stephen was son to Adela, daughter to the Conqueror. After Stephen's death, Henry Plautagenet (son of
the empress) was Kmg of England and had issue Henry, whom he crowned king in his lifetime ; after his death, Richard Cceur
de Lion, who created hm brother John (Comte Sans Terra, Earl Lackland), Earl of Lancaster, and the town and territory of Bristol
and the counties of Nottingham Devon, and Cornwall. Richard died without issue, leaving young Arthur and his sistir, children
ot Cxeottrey, his next brother [older than John] and heir. John, nevertheless, was crowned King of England who had issue Henrv
and Richard and four daughters. Henry (IIL), his eldest son, is crowned king, and grants to his brother (Richard) the earldom of
Cornwall, with great possessions. Li the 26 Henry IIL (1241-2) came into England a nobleman. Piers of Savoy, who because of
his wisdom and prudence, was of the king's council in all things. To him the king gave the whole earldom of Lancaster parcel of
which earldom is the Savoy, a place without the bars of the new Temple, London, which in those days was known as a Vwnafona
since named " Maner Mori Templi," at this day the Savoy, parcel of the possessions of the dukedom of Lancaster. Piers of Savov
built him a house there, calling it by the name of the country whence he came, the Savoy. This Piers, Earl of Lancaster being of
great age, and his son being an alien born, and therefore not capable of inheriting the earldom, it escheated to the king and was
vested in the crown. Henry III. had six sons and two daughters— John, Richard, William, Henry (who died without issue)
Edward, afterwards king by succession, and Edmund, surnamed Crouchback, of whom is descended the family and noble house of
Lancaster ; for the king, to the exalting of his blood, by letters patent, dated Lincoln, 8th August, in his 22d year (1237-8) granted
to hia dearly beloved son Edmund the honor of Lancaster, with all men, wards, reliefs, escheats, rents, and all other things pertaining
to the honor, to be to him and the legitimate heirs of his body for ever. He also gave him and his heirs the honor of Leicester
etc., on 17th June, 55th year (1271). There is not any record or proof extant that this Edmund was created either Earl of Lancaster
or Leicester ;' but an earl natural is evermore a king's son, who, by his birthright, is an earl born, etc. As King John, on King
Richard granting him the honor of Lancaster, was named Earl of Lancaster, not by creation but by birthright, so Edmund Crouch-
back had the two aforesaid honors granted him, and so was named Earl of Lancaster and Leicester. The honor of Lancaster as by
record appears, extends chiefly into Lancashire, Middlesex, Norfolk, Suffolk, Lincoln, Nottingham, Derby, York Rutland, and
Staffordshire, etc. Edmund Crouchback, second son of Henry IIL, being advanced to these honors and dignities, had two sons ■
Thomas and Henry. This Thomas was erroneously attainted in a Parliament of Edward II. by the policy of Hugh le Despencer
the father and his son, and was put to death at Pontefract ; but in a Parliament 1st Edward III. (1327) this judgment was reversed'
and the earl's dooms and possessions restored to the next heir, his brother Henry, who was not only Earl of Lancaster and Leicester
by lineal descent, but also heritor to divers other earldoms, honors, &c. This Henry was afterwards created Duke of Lancaster
by Edward III. He had issue only one daughter, Blanche, afterwards married to John of Gaunt, by means whereof the said
John of Gaunt was created Duke of Lancaster, and by the assent of the Lady Blanche, his wife, all the possessions of the dukedom
were lawfully conveyed to the said John the Duke, the Lady Blanche, and to the heii-s of the body of John, etc. After which the
said John had issue of the said Blanche, Henry of Bolinbroke, afterwards king by the name of King Henry IV., who had issue
Henry V. The latter had issue Henry VI., which king had issue ; after whose death the right and title to the dukedom, by force of
the said entail [passed] unto John, Earl of Somerset, son of the said John, Earl of Lancaster, by Catharine Swynford, third wife of
the duke ; which John, Earl of Somerset, had issue Margaret, the Countess of Richmond and Derby ; which Margaret had issue
Henry VII., who married Elizabeth, eldest daughter of Edward IV., by whom he had issue Henry VIII., who had issue, our
sovereign lady the Queen Elizabeth, in whose sacred person are contained the two houses of Lancaster and York, etc.
1 HarL CoU. No. 2077.
= The original document being long and verbose, and full of contracted
words, we give the above as its substance. — H.
•'' Serjeant Fleetwood is in error : Prince Edmund was created Earl
of Leicester by letters patent of 49 Henry III. (12(34-5), and Earl of Lan-
caster 51 Henry III. (1206-7), both which patents are still extant.
12
CHAPTER VI.
Creation of the County Palatine— Sheriffs from the Earliest Records— Courts of the County Palatine— Ecclesiastical and other
Courts— Assizes— Public Records o£ the County Palatine— a.d. 1087 to 1886.
LOSELY connected with the duchy of Lancaster are the courts and privileges of
the county palatine. Upon the subject of the palatinate privileges, Selden
observes " that the counties of Chester and Durham are such by prescription or
immemorial custom, or at least as old as the Norman Conquest ; but that Lanca-
shire, as a palatine county, is of more modern date, and was so created by Edward
III., after it became a duchy, in favour of Henry Plantagenet, first Earl and then
Duke of Lancaster, whose heiress being married to John of Gaunt, the king's son,
the franchise was greatly enlarged and confirmed in Parliament, to honour John
of Gaunt himself, whom, on the death of his father-in-law, the king had also created Duke of
Tjancaster.i
Upon this subject the authorities are conflicting : Jjancashire appears to have enjoyed palatine
jurisdiction under Earl Morcar, before the Norman Conquest ; but after that event, which changed
the whole frame of society, these privileges remained in abeyance till they were partially revived
in the early part of the twelfth century, and fully confirmed in the time of the " Good Duke of
Lancaster " and of John of Gaunt.
We give an extract from an original letter from Dr. "Kuerden, in his own hand," dated
Preston, 20th Jan., 1664, to his brother, both in law and in pursuits, Mr. Randle Holme, in the
Harleian Collection in the British Museum : — =
"Mr. Townly and myself are in hott pursait of our coutryes affaires, and in retriuiug the glory of our Palatinate out of monu-
metal ashes, and are able by this time to prove our county a Palatinate Jurisdiction under Rog. Pictavensi-s, before the grand survey
of Doomsday's Record in ye Echqr and forfeted before that time, restored again in Will the second's time, forfeited againe ty
Piotavensis at the battell of Teueichhuy, [Tewkesbury] in the beginning of Henry I., bestowed then on Stephen before he was king,
and coatinuated for his reigne in his son, W. Comes Bolonise et Moritonite, till about the 5tli of Richard the first, then given to
Jo Earl Moreton, afterwards to P. of Savoy, and by Henry 3^ conferred on Edmund Crouohback, our first earl by charter, though
some of these latter had not their Jura Regalia as at first.''
Counties jsalatine are so called a palcitio, because the owners thereof, the Earl of Chester,^ the
Bishop of Durham, and the Duke of Lancaster, had in those counties jura regalia as fully as the
king had in his palace ; regalem j)otestatevi in omnibus.* The peculiar iurisdiction and form of
proceedings of the courts of law in the county palatine of Lancaster are the result of those privileges
which were granted to its early earls and dukes, to induce them to be more than ordinarily
watchful against the predatory incursions from the Scotch border, and to prevent their tenants
from leaving the territory defenceless and exposed to hostile aggressions, while seeking redress at
the more distant tribunals of the realm.'' Law was to be administered by the officers and ministers
of the duke, and under his seal, and anciently all offences were said to be against his peace, his
sword,_ and dignity, and not, as now, " against the peace of our lord the king, his crown, and dignity."
The king's ordinary writs for redress of private grievances, or the punishment of offences between
man and man, were not available within the county palatine — such writs then ran in the name of
the duke ; but in matters between the king and the subiect the palatine privileges could not
contravene the exercise of the sovereign power, and the prerogative writs were of force, lest injuries
to the state should be remediless. Since 27 Henry VIII. (1535) all writs have run in the name of
the king,_ and are tested before the owner of the franchise. Hence it is that all ordinary writs out
of the king's court at Westminster, for service in this county, are addressed to the chancellor of
the duchy, commanding him to direct the sheriff to execute them, and that all processes to that
officer, out of the chancery of the county palatine, are not tested before the king or his justices at
Westminster, as in other counties. The franchise and revenue of the duchy being under different
> Tit. Honoiu, part il. sec. 8. p. 677.
» Cod. 2042.
= The Palatinate of Chester was abohshed in 1830, when the whole of
the offices of purely palatinate origin and jurisdiction were dissolved. — C
* liracton, lib. iii. c. 8. sec. 4.
' Upon this account there were formerly two other counties pala-
tine— border counties as they were called t Pembrokeshire and Hexham-
sliire, tlie latter now united with Northumberland; but these wera
abolished by Parliament— the former, 27 Henry VIII. (1536) ; the latter,
14 Elizabeth (1672). By the first-mentioned of these Acts tbe powers of
owners of counties palatine ware much abridged, the reason for their
continuance having in a manner ceased, though still all writs are
witnessed in thoir names, and all forfeitures for treason by the common
law accrue to them.
CHAP. VI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 83
guiding and governance from those of the crown, all honours and immunities, and all redress
withm this county, with very fcAv exceptions, must be derived from the chancellor of the duchy,
as the principal minister of the king, in his capacity as Duke of Lancaster. Until the passing of
the Judicature Acts justices of assize, of gaol-delivery were, and justices of the peace are still, and
eversmce the creation of the county palatine of Lancaster have been, made and assigned by com-
mission, under the seal of the county palatine,' and the sheriffs for the county of 'Lancaster are
appointed in the same way. The election of sheriff for this county palatine, in 1824, formed an
exception to the general rule. The practice is to date the writ before his majesty, " at his palace
at Westminster ; " but on this occasion, when John Entwistle, Esq., of Foxholes, was appointed,
that document was dated from " the palace at Brighton." Anciently, sheriffs, like coroners, were
chosen by the freeholders f but popular elections growing tumultuous, this practice was abolished.
The choice of the sheriffs in the palatine counties is conducted in a different manner from that
of the choice of these officers in the other counties of the kingdom. The usual mode of election is
for the judges, having met in the Exchequer chamber on the morrow of St. Martin (Nov. 12), to
return for each of the counties, not palatine, the names of three persons, resident in each county,
to the king — and for the king, with a small instrument, to prick the name of one of the three,
usually the first upon the list, as sheriff. But for the county of Lancaster, the chancellor of the
duchy selects the three names, which he submits to the king, as Duke of Lancaster, usually on
some day between the 1st and the 20th of February in each year ; and the king chooses one of the
three, generally that at the head of the list. In the early periods of British history, the sheriffs
continued in office for a number of years, as will be seen in the following list, and some for the
whole term of their life _; but since the 28th Edward III. (1354), the office can only be held legally
for one year. Nor was it unusual in early times to elect to this office the most exalted peers of the
realm. Before the Conquest, the county of Lancaster, with some other jurisdictions, was committed
to the Earl of Northumbria, in the large sense, and sometimes to the Earl of Deira, being the more
southern part of that kingdom or province. The last of these earls in the Saxon times were Earls
Tosti and Morcar, whose possessions are noted in Domesday Book.
The following list is compiled from the manuscripts of Mr. Hopkinson, compared by the late
MatthoAV Gregson, Esq., with that of the late George Kenyon, Esq., which we have collated with
and corrected from a MS. (No. 259) in the British Museum, endorsed, " Nomina Vicecomitum
collecta ex Rotulis Pellium recepta apud Westmonasterium. De Termino Michaelis, anno prime
Regis Edwardi primi " (1273) :—'
Sheriffs of Lancashire from the Earliest Records to 1886.
NoKMAN Line. 1178 )
to > Ralph Fitz-BerDard.
Will. II. 1087-1100. 1183.)
1087. Geoffrey was sheriff, and the only one named until 1156. US*- Gilbert Pipard.
Probably the person called Goisfrid in the Domesday 1185. Gilbert Pipard and Peter Pipard for him.
Survey. " Inter Ripa 7 Mersham." 1186. Idem.
No sheriffs are named during the reigns of Henry I. and 1187. Idem.
Stephen. 1188. Gilbert Pipard.
Plaxtagenet of Anjou. EicHAED I. 1189-1199.
TT n--iion 1189- Gilbert Pipard.
Henry II. lloo-1189. j^gO Henry de Gornhill.
1156. Ralph Pigot, for four years. 1191. Idem.
1160. Robert de Montalt, for three years. 1192. Ralph de Gornhill.
1163. Hugh de Owra. 1193. Idem.
1164. Galfr. de Valoines, Baron of Derby. 1194. Theobald Walter, o£ Preston, and Wm. Radoliffe for him
1165. Idem. (Theobald Walter, K.)
1166. William de Vesci. 1195. Theobald Walter and Benedict Garnet for him.
1167. Idem. 1196. Mem. Idem.
1168. Rogerus de Herlebeck (William de Vesci, K.) 1197. Theobald Walter and Robert Vavasour for him.
1170. Idem (Herlebeck, K.) 1198. Theobald Walter and Nicholas Pincerna or le Boteler
1171. Idem. for him.
1172. Ralph Fitz-Bernard. jgjjj, 1199.12I6.
1173. Idem.
1174. Idem. (Rad. de Glanvill, K.) 1199. Theobald Walter.
1175. Idem. 1200. Rob. de Tattershall.
1176.' Idem.' (K. Rob. H.) ' 1201. )
1177. Robert (probably in error for Ralph) Fitz-Bernard (Ralph 1 202. > Richard Vernon.
Fitz-Bernard, K.) 1203. )
.Co|.e;s4tYnstitute.p.205. ^^^r '^^'^^^^^^'^^^^^^^^^^
I le^^yL^'d^ffrC'&e' L of appointment ;Hopkinaon from the lenyon, H. ™U^^^^^^ ^^o^Z Stcl'tr!^
84
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. VI.
1205.
1206.
1207.
1208.
120fl 1
to }
1216. )
1216.
1217.
1218,
1219
1220,
1221,
1222,
1223
122i,
1225
1226,
1227
1228,
1229,
1230,
1231
1232.
12J3.
1234,
1235.
1236.
1237.
1238.
1239.
1240.
1241.
1242.
1243.
1244.
1245.
1246.
1247.
1248.
1249.
1250.
1256.
1257.
1258.
1259.
1260.
1261.
1262.
1263.
1270.
1272.
Eoger Lacy, o£ Clitheroe.
Roger de Lacy and Adam de Lacy for him.
Eoger de Lacy and Robert Wallensis, Gilbert Fitz-
Reynfride, and Adam Fitz-Roger for liim.
Gilbert Fitz-Reyufride and Adam Fitz-Roger for him ;
(Gilbert fil. Reinford, K.)
Gilbert Fitz-Reynfride and Adam Fitz-Roger for him.
Henkt in. 1216-1272.
Ranulph, Earl of Chester.
Ranulph, Earl of Chester, and Jordan his son for him.
Idem.
. Idem. Idem.
Idem. Idem.
Idem. Idem.
Idem. Idem.
. Idem. Idem.
William de Ferrars, Earl of Derby, William de Ferrars
and Robert Montioy for him.
. Idem. Idem.
Wilham de Ferrars and Gerard Etwell for him.
Adam de Eland, of Rochdale.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Idem.
Sir John Byron.
William Lancaster, of Lancaster, and Simon de Thornton
for him.
Idem. Idem,
Robert de Lathom, of Lathom,
William de Lancaster and Simon de Thornton for him.
Idem. Idem.
Idem. Idem.
Idem. Idem.
Idem. Idem.
Idem. Idem.
WiUiam de Lancaster and Richard le Boteler for him.
Idem. Idem.
William de Lancaster and Wilham and Matthew
Redmayne.
Idem. Idem.
Idem. Idem.
/ Wilham de Lancaster and Matthew Redmayne.
\ Robert Latham (half-year).
Idem.
Idem for seven years further.
Patrick de Ulnesby.
Idem.
William Pincerna (or le Boteler, as he is named in the
writ), of Bewspy.
Geoffrey de Chetham, of Chetham (as Fermor).
Geoffrey de Chetham.
Geoffrey de Chetham and Ralph de Dacre.
Geoffrey de Chetham and Adam de Montalt.
Adam de Montalt and Robert de Lathom, K.
John de Cancefield.
Ranulph de Dacre.
Edwabd L 1172-1307.
1273. Thomas Travers.
1274. Wilham Gentyl (Henry de Lea, H.)
1275. Ranulph de Dacre.
1276. Nicholas de Lee.
1277. Henry de Lee.
1278. Gilbert de Clifton, of Clifton.
1279. Roger de Lancaster, of Lancaster.
1280. Ralph de Montjoy.
1281. Thomas Banister.
1282. Richard de Hoghton, of Hoghton.
1283. Thomas de Lancaster.
1286. Robert de Latham and Gilbert de Clifton for hira,
1287. Gilbert de Chfton, of Clifton.
1288. Robert de Leyborne.
1289. Gilbert de Clifton.
1290. Roger de Lancaster, of Lancaster.
1291.
1292.
1293
to
1298.
1299.
1300.
1301.
1302.
1303
to
1308.
1309.
1310.
1311
to
1320.
132L
1323.
1326.
1328.
1329.
1330.
13.31.
1332.
1333.
1334.
1335.
1339.
1340.
1344.
1345.
1348.
1355.
1358.
1359.
1360.
1363.
1371.
1375.
1376.
1377.
1378.
1379.
1385.
1389.
1392.
1393.
1397.
1400.
1401.
1404.
1405.
1406.
1407
to
1410.
1411.
1412.
1413.
1414.
1415.
1418.
1419.
1420.
1421.
Ralph Mountjoy (to 1297, K.)
Richard de Hoghton, of Hoghton.
^ Ralph Montjoy.
Edmund Plantagenet, Earl of Lancaster, and Richard de
Hoghton for him ; Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, by
inheritance ; and Richard de Hoghton for him.
Richard de Hoghton, of Hoghlon.
Idem.
Thomas Travers, of Nateby.
Edwabd II. 1307-1327.
-Thomas Plantagenet, Earl of Lancaster.
William Gentyl.
Thomas Plantagenet, Earl of Lancaster.
Richard de Bickerstaffe.
Gilbert Southworth, of Southworth (Wm. le Gentyl, K.)
John d'Arcy.
Geoffrey de Warburton.
Edward IIL 1327-1377.
William Gentyl.
John de Hambury.
John de Burghton.
John de Hambury and Sir Geoffrey de Warburton.
John de Denam.
Robert Foucher (others say Toucher).
William Clapham.
Robert de Radcliffe, of Ordsall.
Stephen Ireton.
John le Blount.
John Cockayne.
Richard de Radclyffe, of Radclyffe Tower.
WiUiam de Radclyffe, of Radclyffe Tower.
John Ipree, vice Sheriff (no Sheriff's name found).
William de Radclyffe, of Radclyffe Tower.
John Ipree, vice Sheriff.
Geoffrey de Chetham, of Chetham.
Richard Towneley, of Towneley.
Richard II. 1377-1399.
Richard de Towneley, of Towneley.
Thomas de Bobbeham.
Nicholas Harrington, of Farlton, for six years.
Ralph Radclyffe, for three years.
Robert Standish.
Sir Ralph Standish, of Standish.
Sir John Butler, of Rawoliffe, for three yeai-s.
Richard Molyneux, of Sephton.
House of Lancaster.
Henry IV. 1399-1413.
Thomas Gerard, of Bryn.
[ John Boteler, of Rawcliffe.
Sir Ralph Radclyffe.
Idem.
■ Sir John Bold, of Bold, four years.
Sir Ralph Stanley.
Henry V. 1413-1422.
Sir Ralph Stanley and Nicholas Longford.
William Bradshaw and Robert Longford.
Robert Urswick, of Urswick.
Robert Lawrence, of Ashton.
Richard Radclyffe, of Ordsall.
CHAP. VI.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
85
Heney VI. 1422-1461.
2403 1
1426. J I^'<='i'"''i Radclyffe, of Ordsall.
1429'. 1 ■^°^^'"'' Lawrence, of Ashton.
1441 1
1442 f^'"^ John Bjron, of Clayton.
1459. Nicholas Byron, of Clayton. (Idem John, H.)
House or Yokk.
1462.
1463.
1465.
1466.
1473.
1476.
1482.
1501.
1508.
1512.
1514.
1520.
1527.
1528.
1532.
1542.
1546.
1547.
1548.
1649.
1550.
1551.
1552.
1553.
1554.
1555.
1556.
1557.
1558.
1559.
1560.
1561.
1562,
1563.
1564.
1565.
1566.
1667.
1668.
1669.
1570.
1571.
1572.
1573.
1574.
1575.
1576.
1577.
1578.
1579.
1680.
1581.
Edward IV. 1461-1483.
John Broughton, of Broughton.
!■ Thomas Pilkington, of Pilkington.
Sir Robert Urswick, of Urswick.
Thomas Pilkington, of Pilkington.
Thomas Molyneux, of Sephton.
Thomas Pilkington, of Pilkington.
House of Tudor.
(union of YORK AND luiNCASTER.)
Henry VII. 1485-1509.
j Sir Edward Stanley, of Hornby.
Henry VIII. 1509-1547.
ISir Edward Stanley, of Hornby; afterwards Baron
I Monteagle.
Edward Stanley, Baron Monteagle, of Hornby.
Sir Alexander Osbaldeston, of Osbaldeston.
Sir John Towneley, of Towneley.
Sir Thomas Southworth, of Samlesbury.
Sir Alexander Eadclyffe, of Ordsall.
Edward VI. 1547-1553.
Sir Alexander Kadclyffe.
Sir Thomas Gerard, of Bryn.
Sir Robert Worsley, of Worsley.
Sil Peter Legh, of Haydock.
Sir John Atherton, of Atherton.
Sir Thomas Talbot.
Sir Thomas Gerard, of Bryn.
Mary. 1553-1558.
Sir Marmaduke Tunstall, of Thurland.
Sir John Atherton, of Atherton.
Sir Thomas Langtou, of Newton.
Sir Edmund Trafford, of Trafiford.
Sir Thomas Gerard, of Bryn.
Elizabeth. 1568-1603.
John Talbot, of Salesbury, Esq.
Sir Robert Worsley, of the Boothes, Knt.
Sir John Atherton, of Atherton, Knt.
Sir John Southworth, of Samlesbury, Knt.
Sir Thomas Hesketh, of Rufford, Knt.
Thomas Hoghton, of Hoghton, Esq.
Edmund TrafFord, of TrafiFord, Esq.
Sir Richard Molyneux, of Sef ton, Knt.
Sir Thomas Langton, Knt.
Edward Holland, of Denton, Esq.
John Preston, of the Manor, Esq.
Thomas Boteler, of Bewsey, Esq.
Edmund TrafFord, of Trafford, Esq.
John Byron, of Clayton, Esq. (Francis Holt, Esq., Fuller).
Richard Holland, of Denton, Esq.
William Booth, of Barton, Esq.
Francis Holt, of Grislehurst, Esq.
Richard Bold, of Bold, Esq.^
Robert Dalton, of Thurland, Esq.
John Fleetwood, of Penwortham, Esq.
Ralfe AsshetoD, of Middleton, Esq.
Sir Edmund TrafFord, of Trafford, Knt.
Sir John Byron, of Byron and Clayton, Knt.
1582. Richard Holland, of Denton, Esq.
1583. John Atherton, of Atherton, Esq.
1584. Edmund Trafford, of Trafford, Esq.
1 585. Thomas Preston, of the Manor, Esq.
1586. Richard Assheton, Esq. (and Richard Bold, E.sq ) K.
1687. John Fleetwood, of Penwortham, Esq.
1588. Thomas Talbot, of Bashall, Esq.
1589. Sir Richard Molyneux, of Sephton, Knt.
1590. Richard Bold, of Bold, Esq.
1691. James Assheton, of Chadderton, Esn.
1592. Edward Fitton, Esq.
1593. Richard Assheton, of Middleton, Esq.
1594. Ralph Assheton, of Great Lever, Esq.
1595. Thomas Talbot, of Bashall, Esq.
] 596. Richard Holland, of Denton, Esq.
1597. Sir Richard Molyneux, of Sephton, Knt.
1598. Richard Asheton, of Middleton, Esq.
1599. Sir Richard Hoghton, of Hoghton, Knt.
1600. Robert Hesketh, of Rufford, Esq.
1601. Cuthbert Halsall, of Halsall, Esq.
1602. Sir Edmund Trafford, of Trafford, Knt.
House of Stuart.
James I. 1603-1625.
1603. John Ireland, of Hutt, Esq.
1604. Sir Nicholas Moseley, of Anooats, Knt.
1605. Ralph Barton, of Smithells, Esq.
1606. Edmund Fleetwood, of Rossall, Esq.^'
1607. Sir Richard Assheton, of Middleton, Knt.
1608. Robert Hesketh, of Rufford, Esq.
1609. Sir Edmund Trafford, of Trafford, Knt.
1610. Roger Nowell, of Read, Esq.
1611. John Fleming, of Coniston, Esq.
1612. Su- Cuthbert Halsall, of Halsall, Knt.
1613. Robert Bindloss, of Borwick, Esq.
1614. Richard Sherburne, of Stonyhurst, Esq.
1615. Edmund Stanley, Esq.
1616. Rowland Mosley, of Hough End, Esq.
1617. Sir Edmund Trafford, of Trafford, Knt.
1618. Richard Shuttleworth, of Gawthorpe, Esq.
1619. John Holte, of Stubley, Esq.
1620. Leonard Ashawe, of Asshawe, Esq.
1621. Edmund More, of Bank Hall, Esq.
1622. Gilbert Ireland, of Hale, Esq.
1623. Sir George Booth, of Ashton-under-Lyne, Knt. and Bart.
1624. Sir Rafe Assheton, of Whalley, Baronet.
Charles I. 1625-1649.
1625. Richard Holland, of Heaton, Esq.
1626. Roger Kirkbye, of Kirkbye, Esq.
1627. Sir Edward Stanley, of Bickerstaffe, Baronet.
1628. Edmund Asheton, of Chadderton, Esq.
1629. Edward Rawsthorne, of Newhall, Esq.
1630. Thomas Hesketh, of Rufford, Esq.
1631. Richard Bold, of Bold, Esq.
1632. Nicholas Townley, of Royle, Esq.
1633. Ralph Assheton, of Middleton, Esq.
1634. Ralph Standish, of Standish, Esq.
1635. Humphrey Chetham (The Benefactor), of Manchester, E&q.
1636. William ffarington, of Worden, Esq.
1637. Richard Shuttleworth, of Gawthorpe, Esq.
1638. Roger Kirkbye, of Kirkbye, Esq.
1639. Sir Edward Stanley, of Bickerstaffe, Baronet.
1640. Robert Holte, of Stubley, Esq.
1641. Peter Egerton, of Shawe, Esq.
1642. Sir John Girlington, of Thurland, Knt,
1643. Gilbert Hoghton, of Hoghton, Esq.
1644. ^
1645. I John Bradshawe, Esq. (No Sheriffs elected during the
1646. j Civil Wars — Gregson).
1648. j
Commonwealth. 1649-1660.
1648. Sir Gilbert Ireland, of the Hutt, Knt., until May, 1649.
1649. John Hartley, of Strangeways, Esq, until December, 16J9
1 Fuller, in Ma Worthies, has a different order of succession for the
four years 1672-75— viz. 1572 (14 BlizaUeth), Francis Holt ; 1673, Eich.ard
Hi)lland ; 1574, William Booth, and 1575, Francis Holt ag.uii ; omicting
John Byron.
2 Fiillor omits John Ireland, and gives the three following
Nicholas Mosley, Knt., Thomas Baker, Esq., and Edward Fleetwood, Esq.
86
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. VI.
1650.
1651.
1652.
1652.
1654.
1655.
1656.
1657.
1658.
1659.
1660.
1661.
1662.
1663.
1664.
1665.
1666.
1667.
1668.
1669.
1670.
1671.
1672.
1673.
1674.
1675.
1676.
1677.
1678.
1679.
1680.
1681.
1682,
1683.
1684.
1685.
1686.
1688.
1689.
1690.
1691.
1692.
1693.
1694.
1695.
1696.
1697.
1698.
1699.
1700.
1701.
1702.
1703.
1704.
1705.
1706.
1707.
1708.
1709.
1710.
1711.
1712.
1713.
1714.
1715.
Edward Hopwood, of Hopwood, Esq.
Henry Wrigley, of Cbamber Hall, Esq.
Alexander Barlow, of Barlow, Esq.
John Parker, of Extwisle, Esq.
Peter Bold, of Bold, Esq.
John Atherton, of Chowbent, Esq.
John Starkie, of Huntroyd, Esq.
Hugh Cooper, of Chorley, Esq.
Piobert Bindlosse, of Borwick, Esq.
Sir Richard Hoghtou, of Hoghton, Baronet.
Restoration.
Charles II. 1660-1684.
George Chetham, of Turton, Esq.
^Sir George Middleton, of Leighton, Baronet.
John Girlington, of Thurland, Esq.
Thomas Preston, of Holker, Esq.
^ William Spencer, Esq.
John Arden, Esq.
^ Thomas Greenhalgh, of Brandlesome, Esq.
Christopher Banister, of Bank, Esq.
Sir Henry Sclater, of Light Oaks, Knt.
hSir Robert Bindlosse, of Borwick, Baronet.
Sir Peter Brooke, of Astley, Knt.
Alexander Butterworth, of Belfield, Esq.
Alexander Rigby, of Layton, Esq.
Sir Roger Bradshaigh, of Haigh, Bart.
William Johnson, of Kishton Grange, Esq.
Lawrence Rosthorne, of Newhall, Esq.
Thomas Leigh, of Bank, Esq.
Peter Shakerley, of Shakerley, Esq.
James II. 1684-1688.
Peter Shakerley, of Shakerley, Esq.
William Spencer, Esq., two years. (Peter Shakerley, K.)
Thomas Richardson, of Rawnhead, nominated but not
sworn in.
William and Mary. 1668-1702.
James Birch, of Birch Hall, E-q.
Peter Bold, of Bold, Esq.
Alexander Rigby, of Layton, Esq.
Francis Livesey, of Livesey, Esq.
Thomas Rigby, of Gorse, Esq.
T homas Asshurst, of Asshurst, Esq.
Ri chard Spencer, of Preston, Esq.
Thomas Norreys, of Speke, Esq.
Roger Manwaring, of Morley, Esq.
William West, of Middleton, E.sq.
Robert Dukinfield, of Dukiufield, Esq.
Thomas Rigby, of Middleton, Esq.
William Hulme, of Davy Hulme, Esq.
Anne. 1702-1714.
Roger Nowell, of Read, Esq.
Peter Egerton, of Shawe, Esq.
George Birch, of Birch Hall, Esq. Succeeded by his
brother, Thomas Birch.
Richard Spencer, of Preston, Esq.
Christopher Dauntesey, of Agecrof t, Esq.
Edmund Cole, of Lancaster, Esq.
Miles Sandys, of Graythwaite, Esq.
Roger Kirkby, of Kirkby, Esq. (died in office). Succeeded
by Alexander Hesketh, Esq.
Roger Parker, of Extwistle, Esq.
Sir Thomas Standish, of Duxbury, Bart.
William Rawsthorne, of Newhall, Esq.
Richard Valantine, of Preston, Esq.
William ffaringtou, of Werden, Esq.
House of Brunswick.
George I. 1714-1727.
Jonathan Blackburne, of Orford, Esq.
1716. Thomas Crisp, Wigan, Esq.
1717. Samuel Crooke, of Crooke, Esq.
1718. Richard Norreys, of Speke, Esq.
1719. Thomas Stanley, of Clitheroe, Esq.
1720. Robert Mawdesley, of Mawdesley, Esq.
1721. Benjamin Hoghton, Esq.
1722. Benjamin Gregge, of Chamber Hall, Esq.
1723. Sir Edward Stanley, of Bickerstaffe, Bart.
1724. WilKam Tatham, of Over Hall, Esq.
1725. Miles Sandys, of Graythwaite, Esq.
1726. Edmund Hopwood, of Hopwood, Esq.
George II. 1727-1760.
1727. Daniel Wilson, of Dalbam Tower, Esq.
1728. Joseph Yates, of Peel, Esq.
1729. William Greenhalgh, of Myerscough, Esq.
1730. James Chetham, of Smedley, Esq.
1731. WnUam Leigh, of West Houghton, Esq.
1732. John Parker, of Breightmet, Esq.
1733. John Greaves, of Culcheth, Esq.
1734. William Bushel, of Preston, Esq., M.D.
1735. Arthur Hambleton, of Liverpool, Esq.
1736. Sir Daroey Lever, of Alkrington, Knt., LL.D.
1737. Thomas Horton, of Chadderton, Esq.
1738. Samuel Chetham, of Castleton, Esq.
1739. Sir Ralph Assheton, of Middleton, Bart.
1740. Roger Hesketh, of North Meols, Esq.
1741. Robert Dukinfield, of Manchester, Esq.
1742. Robert Bankes, of Winstanley, Esq.
1743. John Blackburne, of Orford, Esq.
1744. Robert Radclyffe, of Foxdenton, Esq.
1745. Daniel Willis, of Red Hall, Esq.
1746. William Shawe, of Preston, Esq.
1747. Samuel Birche, of Ardwick, Esq.
1748. George Clarke, of Hyde (Co. Chester), Esq.
1749. Rigby Molyneux, of Preston, Esq.
1750. Charles Stanley, of Cross Hall, Esq.
1751. James Fenton, of Lancaster, Esq.
1752. Richard Townley, jun., of Belfield, Esq
1753. John Bradshaw, of Manchester, E.-q.
1754. Thomas Hesketh, of Rufford, Esq.
1755. Thomas Johnson, of Manchester, Esq.
1756. James Barton, of Peuwortham, Esq.
1757. James Bailey, of Withington, Esq.
1758. Robert Gibson, of Myerscough, Esq.
1759. Edward Whitehead, of Claughton, E-q.
1760. Samuel Hilton, of Pennington, Esq.
George IIL 1760-1820.
1761. Sir William ffarington, of Shaw Hall, Knt.
1762. Thomas Braddyll, of Conishead, Esq.
1763. Thomas Blackburne, of Hale, Esq.
1764. Sir William Horton, of Chadderton, Bart.
1765. John Walmesley, of Wigan, Esq
1766. Edward Gregge, of Chamber Hall, Esq.
1767. Alexander Butler, of Kirkland, Esq.
1768. Thomas Butterworth Bayley, of Hope, Esq.
1769. Doming Rasbotham, of Birch House, Esq.
1770. Nicholas Ashton, of Liverpool, Esq.
1771. Sir Ashton Lerer, of Alkrington, Knt.
1772. William Cunliffe Shawe, of Preston, Esq.
1773. Thomas Patten, of Bank Hall, Esq.
1774. GeolFrey Hornby, of Preston, Esq.
1775. Sir Watts Horton, of Chadderton, Bart.
1776. Lawrence Rawsthorne, of Newhall, Esq.
1777. Samuel Clowes, of Chorlton, Esq.
1778. Wilson Gale Braddyll, of Conishead, Esq.
1779. John Clayton, of Carr Hall, Esq.
1780. John Atherton, of Walton Hall, Esq.
1781. John Blackburne, of Orford, Esq.
1782. Sir Frank Standish, of Duxbnry, Bart.
1783. James Whalley, of Clerk Hill, Esq.
1784. William Bankes, of Winstanley, Esq.
1785. John Sparling, of Liverpool, Esq.
1786. Sir John Parker Mosley, of Ancoats, Bart,
1787. William Bamford, of Bamford, Esq.
1788. Edward Falkner, of Fairfield, Esq.
1789. William Hulton, of Hulton, Esq.
1790. Charles Gibson, of Lancaster, Esq.
1791. James Starky, of Heywood, Esq
CHAP. VI.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
87
1792.
1793.
1794.
1795.
1796.
1797.
1798.
1799.
1800.
1801.
1802.
1803.
1804.
1805.
1806.
1807.
1808.
1809.
1810.
1811.
1812.
1813.
1814.
1815.
1816.
1817'
1818
1819.
1820.
1821.
1822.
1823.
1824.
1825.
1826.
1827.
1828.
1829.
1830.
1831.
1832.
1833.
1834.
1835.
1836.
1837.
1838.
William Assheton, of Cuerdale, Esq.
Thomas Townley Parker, of Ciierden, Esq.
Sir Henry Philip Hoghton, of Walton, Bart.
Robinson Shuttlewortli, of Preston, Esq.
Richard Gwillym, of Bewsey, Esq.
Bold Fleetwood Hesketh, of Rossall, E?q.
John Entwisle, of Foxholes, Esq.
Joseph Starkie, of Redvales, Esq.
James Ackers, of Lark Hill, Esq.
Sir Thomas Dalrymple Hesketh, of Rufford, Bart.
Robert Gregge Hopwood, of Hopwood, Esq.
Isaac Blackburne, of Orford, Esq.
Thomas Lister Parker, of Browsholme, Esq.
Meyrick Bankes, of Wiiistanley, Esq.
Le Gendre Pierse Starkie, of Huntroyd, Esq.
Richard Legh, of Shaw Hill, Esq.
Thomas Clayton, of Carr Hall, Esq.
Samuel Clowes, of Broughton, Esq.
William Hulton, of Hulton, Esq.
Samuel Chetham Hilton, of Moston Hall, Esq.
Edmund Greaves, of Culcheth, Esq.
Wilham ffarington, of Shawe Hall, Esq.
Lawrence Rawsthorne, of Penwortham, Esq.
, Le Gendre Pierse Starkie, of Huntroyd, Esq,
William Townley, of Townhead, Esq.
Robert Townley Parker, of Cuerdeii, Esq.
Joseph Feilden, of Wittou House, Esq.
John AValmesley, of Castle Mere, Esq.
George IV. 1820-1830.
Robert Hesketh, of Rossall Hall, Esq.
Thomas Richard Gale Braddyll, oE Conishead Priory,
Esq.
James Shuttleworth, of Barton Lodge, Esq.
Thomas Green, of Slyne, Esq.
John Entwisle, of Foxholes, Esq.
John Hargreaves, of Ormerod House, Esq.
James Penny Maehell, of Penny Bridge, Esq.
Charles Gibson, of Quernmore Park, Esq.
Edmund Hornby, of Dalton Hall, Esq.
Henry Bold Hoghton, of Bold, Esq.
Peter Hesketh, of Rossall Hall, Esq.
William IV. 1830-1837.
Peregrine Edward Towneley, of Towneley, Esq.
George Richard Marton, of Capernwray, Lancaster, Esq.
Sir John Gerard, of New Hall, Bart.
Thomas Joseph Trafford, of Trafford, Esq.
Thomas Clifton, of Lytham, Esq.
Charles Standish, of Standish, Esq.
Victoria. 1837.
Thomas Bright Crosse, of Shaw Hill, Esq.
Wilham Blundell, of Crosby Hall, Esq.
1839. Charles Scarisbrick, of Soarisbrick, Esq.
1840. Thomas Fitzherbert Brookholes, of Brockholes, Esq.
1841. Sir Thomas Bernard Birch, of the Hazels, Liverpool,
Bart.
1842. Thomas Robert Wilson Franca, of RawclifFe Hall, Esq.
1843. William Garnett, of Lark Hill, Salford, E,sq.
1844. John Fowden Hindle, of Woodfold Park, Esq.
1845. Pudsey Dawson, of Hornby Castle, Esq.
1846. William Standish Standish, of Duxbury Park, Esq.
1847. William Gale, of Lightburne House, Ulverston, Esq.
1848. Sir Thomas George Hesketh, of RufTord Hall, Bart.
1849. John Smith EntwLsle, of Foxholes, Rochdale, Esq.
1850. Clement Royds, of Mount Falinge, Rochdale, Esq.
1851. Thomas Peroival Heywood, of Claremont, Pendleton, Esq.
1852. Thomas Weld-Blundell, of Ince Blundell, Esq.
1853. John Talbot Clifton, of Lytham Hall, Esq,
1854. Richard Fort, of Read Hall, Clitheroe, Esq.
1855. John Pemberton Heywood, of Norris Green, West Derby,
Esq.
1856. Robert Needham Philips, of The Park, Prestwich, Esq.
1857. Charles Towneley, of Towneley, Esq.
1858. George Marton, of Capernwray, Esq.
1859. Sir Robert Tolver Gerard, of Garswood, Bart.
1S60, Henry Garnett, of Wyreside, Lancaster, Esq.
1861. Sir Humphrey de Trafford, of Trafford Park, Bart.
1862. Wm. Allen Francis Saunders, of Wennington Hall, Esq.
1863. Sir William Brown, of Richmond Hill, Liverpool, Bart.
1864. Sir James Philips Kay-Shuttleworth, of Gawthorpe,
Burnley, Bart.
1865. William Preston, of EUel Grange and Liverpool, Esq.
1866. Sir Elkanah Armitage, Pendleton, Manchester, Kuight.
1867. Thomas Dicconson, of Wrightington Hall, Esq.
1868. Le Gendre Nicholas Starkie, of Huntroyd, Esq.
1869. Benjamin N. Jones, of Lark Hill, Liverpool, Esq.
1870. Henry F. Rigge, of Wood Broughton, Grange-over-Sands,
Esq.
1871. Sir James Watts, of Abney Hall, Cheadle, Knight.
1872. Thomas Wrigley, of Timberhurst, Bury, Esq.
1873. Sir James Ramsden, of Abbot's Wood, Furness Abbey,
Knight.
1874 Richard Smethurst, of Ellerbeck, Chorley, Esq.
1875. John Pearson, of Golborne Park, Newton-le-Willows, E^q.
1876. Oliver Ormerod Walker, of Chesham, Bury, Esq.
1877. George Blucher Heneage Marton, of Capernwray, Esq.
1878. Nathaniel Eckersley, of Standish Hall, Wigan, Esq.
1879. William Garnett, of Quernmore Park, Lancaster, Esq.
1880. Ralph John Aspinall, of Standen Hall, Clitheroe Esq.
1881. William Foster, of Hornby Castle, Lancaster, E sq.
1882. George M'Corquodale, of Newton-le- Willows, Esq.
1883. Thomas Ashton, of Ford Bank, Didsbury, Esq.
1884. Thomas Brooks, of Crawshaw Hall, Rawtenstall, Esq.
1885. James Williamson, ofRyelands, Lancaster, Esq.
1886. Sir Andrew Barclay Walker, of The Grange, Gateacre,
Baronet.
The county palatine of Lancaster is parcel of the duchy of Lancaster, and the sovereign has
a seal, chancellor, and other officers, for the county palatine, and others for the duchy, both of
"which are managed separately from the possessions of the king.^ It is one of the privileges of a
county palatine that none of its inhabitants can be summoned out of their own county, except
in case of treason, or error by any writ or process." In the early periods of the palatine privileges
in Lancashire, these distinctions of law were not so well understood as at present ; hence a
number of legal harpies were in the daily habit of seizing the inhabitants and their property,
and conveying them away under form of law, though they had no jurisdiction whatever m the
county. These violent and illegal proceedings kept those parts of the county wherein they were
practised in a continual ferment. Large assemblies of the people rose to resist the intruders;
and riots, and even murders, frequently ensued. So intolerable an evil called for a strong remedy,
which the law had not then provided, but in the 28 Henry VI. (1449-50) an Act was passed by
which it was ordained that if any "misruled" persons, under colour of law, made a distress
where they had no fee, seigniory, or cause, to take such distress in the counties and seigniories in
Wales, or in the duclay of Lancaster, they should be adjudged guilty of felony, and punished
accordingly." An ancient petition to Parliament from the inhabitants of this county has been
' Plow. Com. p. 219, on the Duchy of Lancaster case, so elaborately
argued, by which it was decided that a lease under the duchy seal
of land, parcel of the Duchy of Lancaster, made by Edward VI. in his
nonage, to commence after the end of a former lease in esse, was good,
and not avoidable by reason of his nonage.
2 Coke's 4th Institute, p. 411.
88 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. vi.
preserved, wherein that protection was loudly called for, which the legislature were not slow to
grant A most extraordinary piece of legislation, relating to the county palatine of Lancaster,
took place four years after this, by which an Act, made for a temporary purpose, was declared
perpetual. By this Act it was ordained that if any person should be outlawed m the county
palatine of Lancaster he should forfeit such of his land and goods as were found m that county,
but in no other ;' 31 Henry VI. (1453), and that this should be the extent of his punishment,
however aggravated might be his offence. The effect of such a kw was to encourage crime to an
alarmino' extent, for if any " foreigner " came into the county palatine of Lancaster, and committed
any treason, murder, or robbery, or made and violated any contract, the sole redress for the
injured party was against his lands and effects in the county, which generally were of no value.
The pernicious consequence of this law soon became too palpable to be endured, and two years
after it had been made "perpetual" it was repealed, in 33 Henry VL (1455).' The defeat of this
insidious measure did not prevent its repetition in the seventh year of the reign of Henry VII.
(1491-2), when, in the absence of the " knights of the shire, and other noble persons of the county,"
an Act of Parliament was obtained, at the instance, and by the influence, of a single individual,
probably one of the adherents of the deposed tyrant Richard, by which it was ordained that
persons residing out of the county should neither be liable to process in the county of Lancaster
nor should forfeit for their offences in the county any goods but such as were to be foundwithin
its limits. It may easily be conceived that no long time was necessary to discover this legislative-
error; and accordingly, we find that, in the very same Parliament, an Act was passed (1491-2)
which, after reciting " that the Countie of Lancastre is and of long tyme hath byn a Countie
Palantyne, made and ordeyned for grete consideracion, and within the same hath byn had and
used Jurisdiccion Roiall, and all things to a Countie Palantyne belonging', in the dayes of the
noble Progenitours of our soverayn Lord the King, unto the begynnyng of this present
Parliament," proceeds to enact, " that the said County Palatyne, and every parte of the
Jurisdiccion thereof, be in every poynt touching all Processes, Forfaiture, and other thinges,
as large and of like force and effecte, as it was the day next before the first day of this present
Parliament, and as if the said Acte had not bin made."
The bitter rivalry between the partisans of the houses of York and Lancaster still agitated
the country. The madness of party raged with its utmost violence, and though the strength of
the baronage was broken, there still remained men of fortune and influence accustomed to
equip their retainers in liveries, and to furnish them with badges of distinction indicating to
which house they belonged. Their power lay in the posts of disorderly dependents who swarmed
round their houses, ready to furnish a force in case of revolt, while in peace they became centres
of outrage and defiance to the law. The natural consequence of this condition of things was to
increase the general agitation and to embarrass the general administration of the laws. The wars
of the Roses showed that the power of the nobles was too great for the comfort or safety of the
sovereign. Henry, therefore, to destroy their physical influences, determined on rigidly putting
down retainers. Edward had ordered the dissolution of these military households in his Statute
of Liveries, and the statute was made more penal by Henry, and enforced with the utmost
severity.^ It is probable, also, that there were local feuds mixed up with these elements of general
discord, which so far exceeded the corrective power of the police that a law was enacted, by which
it was declared that no person should give liveries or badges, or retain, as their menial servants,
officers or men learned either in civil or ecclesiastical law, by any oath or promise, under the
penalty of one hundred shillings per month for every person so retained, to be recovered before
the justices at their usual sessions of oyer and terminer, or before the king's justices in the coun-
ties palatine of Lancaster and Chester.^ The palatine privilege had, in the reign of Edward VL,
, been perverted to the injury of the inhabitants, by subjecting them to the consequences of outlawry
without their knowledge. As the king's writ of proclamation awarded upon an exigent against
any inhabitant of Lancashire, in any action involving the process of outlawry, did not run in Lan-
cashire, it was necessarily sent to the sheriff of an adjoining county, and the consequence was that
many persons were outlawed without their own knowledge. When the trade and commerce of the
county began to be extended, this grievance manifested itself so frequently that an Act was passed
(6 Edward VI. , 1552) whereby it was enacted that whenever any writ or exigent from the Court
of King's Bench or Common Pleas should issue against any person residing in Lancashire, a writ of
proclamation should be awarded to the sheriff of the county palatine of Lancaster, and not to the
1 statutes of tha Realm, vol. ii. p.'s56. Lord," said Henry on his departure, " but I may not endure to have my
'' Statutes of the Realm, vol. ii. p. 366. laws broken in my sight. My attorney must speak with you," the earl,
= On a visit to the Earl of Oxford, one of the most devoted adherents as the consequence, being fined £10,000.— C.
of the Lancastrian cause, the king found 5,000 of his host's retainers in ■* Statutes of the Refilro, vol. ii. p. 12(5.
livery drawn up to receive him. " 1 tiauk you for your good cheer, my
CHAP. VI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 89
sheriff of any adjoining county ; and that the sheriff of Lancashire should make and return the
proclamation accordingly.
During the civil wars between prerogative and privilege, when Charles I. had the nominal
authority of the sovereign, but when the two houses of Parliament exercised the royal functions,
the powers of the Duke of Lancaster, like those of the King of England, were assumed by the
promoters of the Commonwealth; and an ordinance remains upon record (of 10th February, 1644),
by which John Bradshaw was appointed to discharge the duties of sheriff of this county, which
position he retained for four successive years, in contravention of the Act of 28 Edw. III. (1354),
till the king was deposed, and until he, the acting sheriff of the county palatine of Lancaster, in
the capacity of president of the Parliamentary tribunal, consigned his monarch to the block. In
1648, Sir Gilbert Ireland, of the Hutt and Hale — the partisan and friend of Cromwell, who was
also member of Parliament for Liverpool, and governor of Chester Castle — was appointed by the
Parliament, and retained the office until May, 1649, after which the appointments were made
annually under the seal of the Commonwealth. With the Restoration, in 1660, the authority and
the revenues of the Duke of Lancaster reverted to the king. In order to secure the ducal prero-
gatives and the ancient privileges of the county, a number of courts have, in the succession of
ages, risen up in Lancashire, involving the jurisprudence of the county. The reason of these
immunities, as assigned by Sir Edward Coke, is, "for that the county of Lancaster is a county
palatine, and the duke," at its institution, " had jura regalia," or royal prerogatives, within the
county — " to exercise all manner of jurisdiction, high, mean, and low." " This county palatine (of
Lancaster)," adds Sir Edward, "was the youngest brother, and yet best beloved of all other, for it
hath more honors, manors, and lands annexed unto it than any of the rest, by the house of Lan-
caster, and by Henry VIII. and Queen Mary, albeit they were descended also of the house of York,
viz., from Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Edward IV." The nature of the courts in the duchy
and county palatine of Lancaster, ecclesiastical, civil, and criminal, may be thus stated : —
The Ecclesiastical Courts are —
The Prerotrative Court of York, within which province this county lies ; the Courts for the Dioceses
of Manchester and Liverpool ; and the Court for the Archdeaconry of Richmond. Probates of wills
and letters of administration, of persons dying within the county of Lancaster, have ceased to be
o-ranted by the ecclesiastical and diocesan courts of Manchester and Chester, and are now, under
the Probate Act of 1847, granted by her Majesty's Courts of Probate, of which there are three in
Lancashire one at Manchester for the city of Manchester and the hundred of Salford ; one at
Lancaster for the county, except the hundreds of West Derby (diocese of Liverpool) and Salford,
and the city of Manchester (diocese of Manchester); and one at Liverpool for the hundred of West
Derby (within the diocese of Liverpool). Until the institution of the bishopric of Chester (32
Henry VIII 1540), at the period of the Reformation Lancashire lay within the dioceses of Lichfield
and Coventry and wills proved from this county, at that time, were deposited at Lichfield, where
those wills now remain, though some early wills were proved in the Prerogative Court of Canter-
burv as the old diocese of Lichfield and Coventry was under the jurisdiction of the Archbishop
of Canterbury These are now preserved at Somerset House, London. After the erection of the
See of Chester wills in the northern part of Lancashire were usually proved at Richmond, m
Yorkshire, and these were a few years ago removed to Somerset House. Prior to the passing
of the Judicature Act, 1873^
The Courts of Law weue—
( *The High Court of Chancery.
I *The Kxchequer.
I The Chancery of the Duchy.
I The Chancery of the County Palatine.
SUPEBIOR Courts. •! *The Queen's Bench.
*The Common Pleas at Westmmster.
The Common Pleas at Lancaster.
The .Tudgea' Commission of all manner of Pleap.
I, The Commission of Oyer and Terminer.
The Courts marked thus * have a general jurisdiction, and are not peculiar to this county.
f th. Tiarticulars relating to the changes effected by the Judicature Act, 1873, the Editor is indebted to the courtesy of llr. J.
Brough°to'nTil EsqoSe'^J HeTM'SesV' Coroners for the County of La„caster.-C.
13
90
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. VI.
Of Record
Inferior Courts. ■{
Not of Record.
Criminal.
Civil.
Couutj'.
For
Hundreds.
For Honors.
For Manors.
Sessions for the County and for Boroughs.
Coroner's Court.
For the County and for Boroughs.
Leete for Hundreds and for Manors.
Borough Courts.
Piedpoudre Courts.
Courts of Requests.
By Justicias.
By Replevin.
By Plaint.
By Replevin.
By Plaint.
Copyhold.
Customary.
Copyhold.
Customary.
By Plaint.
The High Court of Chancery and the Court of Exchequer
had concurrent jurisdiction in this county with the chanceries of the duchy, and the county
palatine, in all matters reauiring the interference of equity to remedy the defects, or mitigate the
rigours, of law. But in affairs where the authority is derived by statute, or commission from the
crown, as in bankruptcy and matters of a fiscal nature, the lord chancellor has an exclusive juris-
diction, and the barons of the exchequer paramount authority.
The Chancery of the Duchy of Lancaster
has been for many years practically obsolete, but not abolished. It used to be a court of appeal
for the chancery of the county palatine ; but now all appeals from the latter go to the Court of
Appeal. It has a nominal jurisdiction in reference to the estates of the duchy, which lie in various
counties, and are generally called " Duchy Liberties."'
The Chancery of the County Palatine of Lancaster
is an original and independent court, as ancient as the 50th of Edward III. (1376), and the pro-
ceedings were carried on by English bill and decree. The chief office is at Preston, and the court
was formerly held four times a year — namely, once at each assize at Lancaster, and once at
Preston in the interval of each assize. This court is now appointed to be held at Preston, Liver-
pool, and Manchester, at all of which places there are now registries. The business at Preston,
however, is so light, that, by arrangement, there is seldom a court at Preston ; the Preston business
being taken at Liverpool or at Manchester, as more convenient to the bar, etc. The process of the
court was formerly by subpoena, attachment, attachment with proclamations, commission of
rebellion, sequestration, and writ of assistance, etc. ; now the general practice of the court, except
in some particular cases where it is governed by its own particular rules, is similar to the practice
of the Chancery Division of the High Court of Justice in almost everything, except in despatch
and expense. The chancery of Lancashire has concurrent jurisdiction with the High Court in
all matters of equity, whether concerning lands lying within the palatine or concerning transitory
suits, its cognisance of which depends on the person or lands of the defendant being amenable to
the process of this court ; but its jurisdiction is exclusive of all other courts of equity, when both
the subject of the suit and the residence of the parties litigant are within the county ; and in such
case a defendant may insist on his right to be sued in this chancery by demurrer or plea to any
other equitable process.
The court, in point of fact, exercises a concurrent jurisdiction with the Chancery Division of
the High Court in all matters of equity within the county palatine, particularly in matters of
account, fraud, mistake, trusts, foreclosures, tithes, infants, partition, and specific performance of
contracts and agreements. It formerly interfered to restrain parties from proceeding in actions at
law, and for that purpose granted the writs of injunction. And it now issues injunctions to stay
waste and trespass in cases where irreparable mischief might arise, unless the parties were imme-
diately restrained from doing the acts complained of. It was likewise auxiliary or assistant to the
jurisdiction of courts of law, as by removing legal impediments to the fair decision of a question
depending, either by compelling a discovery which may enable them to decide, or by perpetuating
testimony when in danger of being lost, before the matter to which it relates can be made the
subject of judicial investigation; but as all the branches of the High Court have now power to grant
T5 , l-^" ^0 James 1,(1624-5) an order was made "thatnoe Cause above £10 value, of either reall or personall, shalbo determined in the County
i-alatme ot Lancaster ; but to be heard before the Chancellor of the Duchy at Westminster." Booke of Orders, Division v., No. 29, 20 Jac. 1,
CHAP. VI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 91
injunctions and to compel discovery, in causes depending in it, these powers are no longer peculiar
to courts of chancery. It also has jurisdiction, on ex parte applications, in appointing guardians
for infants, and m allowing them a competent maintenance out of their property, and in enablino'
them to make conveyances of their trust and mortgaged estates for the benefit of the parties
beneficially entitled. Although the bills are addressed to the chancellor of the duchy, the vice-
chancellor of the county palatine is the judge of the court, and the causes and all motions and
petitions are setdown and heard before him. The chancellor of the duchy, assisted by the two
judges in commission for the county palatine, used to sit to hear causes at Westminster, either
commenced originally in the duchy chamber, or which had been transmitted there by way of
appeal from the court of chancery of the county palatine, but now this jurisdiction is exercised by
the Court of Appeal as hereinafter mentioned.
The Court of Queen's Bench and the Court of Common Pleas at Westminster
had concurrent jurisdiction with the court of common pleas for the county palatine of Lancaster in
almost all cases, and could enforce their jurisdiction over personal actions, unless conusance of the
cause was claimed, or the palatinate jurisdiction pleaded, or error was brought, after judgment by
default, with the venue laid in Lancashire, and the want of an original was assigned for error. In
the two first instances, the superior courts could not refuse to allow the privilege when properly
claimed ; and in the last, the want of jurisdiction became apparent, from the circumstance of there
being, in the chancery at Westminster, cursitors for the issuing of writs into every county but the
counties palatine ; and therefore, upon a cause of action arising in Lancashire, there was no proper
officer from whom an original could have been obtained to warrant the subsequent proceedings in
the court at Westminster. The cases where the jurisdiction of the courts above was excluded, and
that of the common pleas at Lancaster adopted, were chiefly pleas of lands within the county, or
actions against corporations existing in Lancashire. All writs out of the courts at Westminster
(except Habeas Corpus and Mittimus) were directed to the chancellor, and not to the sheriff, in the
first msiance ; and, where execution of them had to be done by the sheriff, the chancellor issued
his mandate to that officer, and, on receiving his return, certified in his own name to the court
above that the writ had been duly executed ; and if the chancellor returned that he commanded
the sheriff, and had received from him no answer, the court above would rule the sheriff to return
the mandate. There was only one franchise in the county having the execution of writs by its own
officer, viz. the Liberty of Furness, to the bailiff of which the sheriff directed his precepts, and
received from him the requisite returns.
The Court of Common Pleas for the County Palatine of Lancaster
was an original superior Court of Record at Common Law, having iurisdiction over all real actions
for lands, and in all actions against corporations within the county, as well as over all personal
actions where the defendant resided in Lancashire, although the cause of action might have arisen
elsewhere ; but this court had no iurisdiction beyond the limits of the county. The judges of this
court were appointed by commission from the king, under the seal of the duchy of Lancaster, but
in the name of the king, pursuant to the statute of 27 Henry VIII. (1535). The judges,_ according
to usage, were only two, being the judges appointed on the northern circuit, whose commission con-
tinued in force so long as the same judges continued to be appointed to that circuit. Its returns
were on the first Wednesday in every month. The office of the prothonotary was at Preston,
where the records for the preceding twenty years were kept, those for previous years being deposited
at Lancaster, where the court sat every assize before one of the two judges of the courts at West-
minster who had chosen the northern circuit, and who were half-yearly commissioned, the _one as
the chief justice, and the other as one of the "justices of the common pleas at Lancaster." The
patent of 'the judges for the common pleas at Lancaster also appointed one of the judges "_chief
lustice, and the other, one of the justices o jail manner of pleas within the county palatine ' and
under this the causes sent by mittimus from the courts at Westminster were tried at bar ; but as
there was no clause of nisi prius in the jury process by mittimus to Lancaster (it being out of the
ordinary circuit of the judges), they could not be assisted by a serjeant on the civil side as m other
counties By the same commission were tried at bar all pleas of the crown, whether removed by
ceHiorari, or otherwise directed so to be tried. This court was a great advantage to the commercial
county of Lancaster, as well because its process for arrests to any amount reached to all parts of
the county, and might be had without the delay of sending to London, as from the celerity and
excellency of its practice. A great majority of the causes tried at Lancaster, as well as at Liverpool
and at Manchester, were brought in the common pleas of the county palatine, and in point ot
92 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHmE. chap. vi.
importance were equal to those sent down for trial there from the courts at Westminster. In this
court, actions might be brought within about three weeks from the time of _ holdmg the assizes ;
and execution might be had after trial, as soon as the assizes terminated, without waiting till the
following term, which, at the summer assizes especially embraces a considerable penod. ihe
advantage of this promptitude in legal processes in Lancashire was so strongly felt that the
prmciple is now extended to the general law of the country ; and still further improved by an Apt
of Parliament passed in the early part of 1831, for the more speedy judgment and execution m
actions brought in his Majesty's courts at Westminster ; and the proceedings in the court ol common
pleas of the county palatine of Lancaster were facilitated by making all writs of inquiry or damage
returnable on the first Wednesday in every month (m addition to the first and last days of each
assize), in lieu of being returnable, as formerly, on any of the return days m Easter and Michaelmas
terms respectively. The general official business of the court of common pleas m Lancashire was
transacted by the deputy of the prothonotary. The office of prothonotary was a patent office, in
the gift of the Crown, in right of the duchy of Lancaster. Henry Wyndham West, Esq., QC, is
(1886) the Attorney-General. , t^ t
Previous to every assize, commissions of Oyer and Terminer and General Gaol Delivery were
formerly issued, under which the senior judge presided in the crown court, and delivered all the
gaols within the county. The official proceedings in criminal cases within the county were
conducted by the clerk of the crown, or his deputy.' The office of clerk of the crown was in the
gift of the chancellor of the duchy for the time being, but is now in that of the lord chancellor.
The office is held at Preston. At the end of the assizes, three copies are made of the calendar of
the prisoners; one of which is signed by the senior judge, and delivered to the clerk of the crown,
in whose custody it is kept ; another copy is signed by the clerk of the crown, and kept by the
judge; and a third, signed by the same officer, is left with the hi^h sheriff or the gaoler. Under
this authority, and without any special warrant, all executions take place. The judge_ writes the
word "reprieved" or "respited," opposite to the name of each convict sentenced to_ die, but not
left for execution ; and such as have not either of these words written opposite their names are
hanged. On behalf of those who are reprieved, the judge addresses a letter, called "the Circuit
Letter " to the crown, recommending them to mercy on the grounds therein specified, which letter
is transmitted to the office of the secretary of state, and generally, indeed invariably, produces a
commutation of punishment.
The assizes were formerly held half-yearly, and at Lancaster only. But great changes and
improvements have been made in this respect since 1830. After a royal commission in 1829,
various reports of committees of county magistrates, and several numerously-signed petitions and
memorials from populous towns in South Lancashire, it was determined to hold assizes for the
criminal and civil business of the two hundreds of West Derby and Salford, at Liverpool ; and
accordingly assizes have been held there from the year 1835 in the Sessions House, Chapel Street,
and from the 8th December, 1851 in St. George's Hall. Still the business of the assizes increased
so greatly, and the inconvenience of jurors, suitors, prosecutors, witnesses, and others, having to
travel thirty or forty miles to the assizes, and many of them to remain there for a number of days,
at a great distance from home, led to a growing requirement that the hundred of Salford
should have assizes for its business. Accordingly assizes for that hundred Avere held for the first
time in the splendid- new Assize Courts at Manchester in July, 1864; and this county now has three
places of assize — at Lancaster, for the hundreds of Amounderness, Blackburn, Leyland, and
Lonsdale; at Liverpool for the West Derby hundred; and at Manchester for the hundred of
Salford. Besides the usual periods of spring and autumn, or Lent and Michaelmas, it has also been
deemed necessary to have a Avinter assize, both at Liverpool and Manchester, chiefly for the
delivery of the gaols of prisoners committed too late for trial at the August assizes, and who would
otherwise be incarcerated before trial till the following March, and of late four assizes have been
held in each year,
_ By section IG of the supreme court of Judicature Act, 1873 (36 and 37 Vict., c. 66), the
jurisdiction of the superior courts above-mentioned, with the exception of that of the chancery of
the duchy and that of the chancery of the county palatine, were transferred to the high court of
justice constituted hJL that Act. And by section 18 of the same Act the appellate jurisdiction of the
duchy and palatine courts were transferred to the court of appeal also constituted by that Act.
By section 95, however, the Act was not, except so far as is therein expressly directed, to afiect
the offices, position, or functions of the chancellor of the county palatine, and consequently the
jurisdiction of the county palatine chancery still remains. The present vice-chancellor, H. Fox
Bristowe, Esq., Q.C., by giving up the whole of his time to the duties of the office, and by
* Appendix to EvauB ou tlivi Court of Commou Ploas of the County raUtine of Lancaster.
CHAP. VI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 93
appointing regular fixed sittings, has very much increased the business of that court, and the
complaints of former times as to the delay arising from its procedure, cannot now be justly brought
against it.
There are also registries of the high court of justice at Manchester, Liverpool, and Preston, in
which proceedings can be taken in as full and ample a manner as in the Master's office in London.
The present registrars are, at Manchester, Mr. H. J. Walker ; at Liverpool, Messrs. T. E. Paget and
Francis D. Lowndes ; and at Preston, Mr. T. M. Shuttleworth.
The Coukts of Inferior Jurisdiction
are either Courts, which, upon recording their judgment, can award that the party condemned
shall be fined or imprisoned, or they are Courts not of record, and consequently not possessing
the power to make such an award. Of the former class, some are more conversant in matters of
criminal, and others of civil nature. The Criminal Courts of Record are — the General Sessions,
held annually and quarterly, before the justices of the peace for the county. The Annual Sessions
are held in July, at Preston, and afterwards, by various adjournments, until the numerous county
afiairs, placed by various statutes, under the peculiar cognisance of this court, are transacted.
These are annually accumulatmg ; and the matters of county finance have now become so much
the objects of magisterial care and public interest, that its sittings bear no very distant resemblance
to those of Parliament.
The General Quarter Sessions,
called the "County Sessions" to distinguish them from those of boroughs, are held, according to
statute, at Lancaster, the first week after the 11th of October ; the first week after the 20th of
December ; the first week after the 31st of March ; and the first week after the 24th of June, m
each year; and thence, by adjournment, at Preston, Kirkdale (Liverpool), and Salford. At these
three places intermediate sessions are also held midway between the winter sessions. The multi-
farious matters under the cognisance of this court are too well known to require enumeration. A
very considerable number of barristers attend the last adjournments; and many judicious arrange-
ments have been made, which evince the anxious desire of the magistrates to reduce, as much as
possible, the time consumed, and the enormous sums annually expended, in the prosecution ot
offenders. The bench have the power, and frequently exercise it, to effect a further saving ot both,
by dividing the sessions, and trying indictments and appeals in different courts at the same time.
Similar sessions are held in the boroughs of Manchester, Bolton, Blackburn Wigan, and
Liverpool, before the Recorders of those boroughs, agreeably to the respective charters or to
immemorial prescription, which presupposes such a charter anciently granted, and now lost or
^^''Tnother court of record of criminal judicature is the coroner's court, rapidly assembled on the
discovery of any dead body, and composed of the ofiicer and a jury selected by the constables ot
some of the four townships next adjoining to that spot on which the corpse was ^J^^ f°™J- / J^
name of the officer is supposed to be derived from the circumstance of ^is examination of the
witnesses, and pronouncing of sentence, being in a ring or circle of people f ^^^J-^^J J°™^ *^^^
deceased, or in corona populi. Others derive the name coroner ixov^ '°Z Z:.,hTZ}c~
placita coroncB, or pleas of' the crown, and the chief justice of the Queen s Bench is the chief coronei
of England He is elected by the freeholders, upon a writ reqmring the sheriff to hold a county
curttr the election, and Returned into chancW In this county ^.l^^^^.^^^^Jf^^^^^^^f;^^;^^^^^^
of whom has full power to act throughout Lancashire ; but the exercise f^^«^\^^ .P^ ^^'^Z^?^^ ^^
by order in Council to certain districts therein named unless during ^^^^^^^f^l a^ in such
absence of the coroner from one district, when any other coroner of the county may act m such
district The coroner is bound by law to discharge his office m person, or by a deputy lawtuuy
t^^J^yZZToZXne. ap/roved by the Lcfrd Chancellor, to come when --t ^o^' -^.^^^
t£e body ii the presence of the jury ; and if the corpse ^^^^^^^^^^^^'^'ilXe There are
He must also inquire of every death in prison, whether naturally or by misfortune i^ere are
other duties attached to the office, such as the execution of process whe^e the sheriff J^ P^' ^^^^
contempt; the taking and entering of appeals ot murder, rape, f^^/ W^o^Srs'of kssSen
on the writs of outlawry; the inquests of wreck and treasure-trove ^^d others ot ess neqi^uu
oiSrei^^^fLd leLpubfic concern'ment,. than its ordinary painful a^^^^^^^^
is of high antiquity, ind great public utility, -^^^^ ^^^^^/f^f^^^^^^^^^^^
of its original institution. The coroner is a conservator of the P^^^f 'f^Y°7°^ p' .j^^^^^ tlie sheriff
The remaining court of record, for the punishment ot otiences. is the Leet. ioimerLy
94 THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIEE. chap. vi.
perambulated the county, and held his criminal court in every hundred. This was called the Torn,
or Tourn ; but when the delay, inconvenience, and expense of that officer " taking a turn " through
so extensive a district became manifest, this court was made stationary in every hundred, and was
held, as at present, before the steward of the hundred.
A sinc^ular instance occurs, as early as the time of Edward II., of the exactions to_ which the
inhabitant's of Lancashu-e were subjected by the itinerant visits of some of the ostentatious sheriffs
in their periodical tourns through the county; but to these grievances they did not tamely submit,
as appears from an ancient indictment presented by the grand jury, of which the foUoAving is a
translation : — ^
" wri A aTPT? / '^^^ Grand Jury of the Wapentake of West Derby present that ' Wtllielmus le Oentil,' at the time when he
' LANCASTER, -y ^^ sheriff, and when he held his Towrn in the said Wapentake, ought to have remained^ no longer in the
Wapentake than three nights with three or four horses, whereas he remained there at least nine days with eight horses, to the
oppression of the people ; and that he quartered himself one night at the house of ' Dns de Turbat,' and another night at the house
of one 'Jioiaiws de Bold,' another at the house of ' Bohcrtus de Qrenlay,' and elsewhere, according to his will, at the cost of the
men of the Wapentake."
For this ofi'ence, and for another of a more extraordinary kind, which will be exhibited in the
parliamentary history of the county, the sheriff was placed in duress ; but the record adds, that
" the said ' Willielmus Gentil ' is enlarged upon the manucaption of four manucaptors."
At the period when the comites or earls divested themselves of the charge of the counties, that
duty devolved upon the sheriff's, as the name shire-reeve, or bailiff of the shire, imports ; and, in
like manner, when the hundredors ceased to govern the divisions styled hundreds, their office was
supplied by the steward — i.e. stede-ivard, or governor of the place. This officer is one of those
conservators of the peace who still remain such by virtue of his office. The six hiindreds in
Lancashire — viz. Lonsdale, Amounderness, Blackburn, Leyland, West Derby, and Salford — were
anciently styled shires. Thus Leland, temp. Henry VIII. speaks of Manchester standing in Salford-
shire ; and, in common with all the hundreds north of the Trent, they bear the synonymous name
of wapentakes, from the ancient custom of the heads of families assembling armed, upon the summons
of the hundredor, and touching his weapon, to testify their fealty. In many parts of this county,
lands and manors are held by suit to the hundred leet, of which service this was probably the sign
and symbol, and such are called hundred lands. The leet must be held at least twice in every
year, and within a month of Easter and Michaelmas respectively. It is held before the steward of
the hundred, or his deputy, and a jury impanelled by him. The amercements are limited only by
the assessment of at least two men, according to the measure of the fault, agreeably to a provision
of Magna Charta. Anterior to the statutes which have given to the sessions concurrent jurisdiction,
its duties embraced every offence, from eaves-dropping and vagrancy, to high treason ; but, although
contrary to several very learned dicta, every statute affecting it has preserved, and none has
diminished, its powers ; which are seldom called into exercise, except to abate nuisances, punish
deficient measures, and appoint the high and petty constables, and other municipal officers. Its
proceedings have two singular characteristics — the entire absence of fees and lawyers. The increase
of population and the influence of feudal lords gave rise to manorial leets (which were granted to
obviate the necessity of the tenants of a particular manor being obliged to attend the torn, or general
leet of the hundred), held before the stewards of the several lords of manors, or their deputies ;
and, by custom, the leets of several manors may be held at once in some certain place withia one
of the manors.
The Inferior Courts of Kecord of Civil Judicature
are — (1) The Courts of Boroughs, usually held before the principal corporate officer, and the
recorder or steward, and having jurisdiction, in personal actions, to an unlimited amount. Such
is the Court of Passage at Liverpool, the Court of Record at Manchester, the Borough Court of
Preston, and others, as numerous and as various as the respective charters or prescriptions. (2)
The Piedjjoudre Court is a court of record, having unlimited jurisdiction over all contracts arising
within a fair, before the lord or owner, or his steward or clerk of the fair. It was the lowest and
most speedy court in the realm, except one now extinct, called the Court of Trail-baton, Avhere the
judge was bound to decide whilst the bailiff drew his staff or trailed his baton round the room.
(3) The Court of Requests in Manchester, as elsewhere, has been superseded by the County'
Courts.
The Inferior Courts, not of Record
are all calculated for the redress of civil, and not of criminal, injuries. It has been seen that the
sheriff had a court-leet called the torn, which was the criminal court of the county he had also
' Rot. plao. coram K. 17 Edw. II. m. V2 (1323-4).
OHAP, VI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 95
his court-baron or civil court, which formerly travelled round the county in the same manner as
the torn. The same complaint of expense, delay, and inconvenience attended this rotary process ;
and long before the torn was localised in the hundreds, the County Court, or Sheriff's Courti
became stationary in the county town, and its jurisdiction was limited to those suits in which the
parties dwelt in several hundreds. In both hundred and county courts matters to any amount
were originally determined, until the statute of Gloucester directed that no suits should be com-
menced without the lung's writ, unless the cause of action did not exceed 40s.
The Hundred Courts
have concurrent jurisdiction with the County Court in certain personal actions under 40s. in value,
and are held from three weeks to three weeks, before the steward of the hundred, or his deputy,
and a jury, within the respective jurisdictions. No suit can be removed by the defendant, before
judgment, without bail, to the satisfaction of the court; nor by the losing party, after judgment,
without similar security in double the amount of the judgment.
There is in this county one Honor or Superior Manor, having numerous dependent manors
under it. It is the Honor of Clitheroe, the jurisdiction of which is very extensive. It has courts
in the nature of courts-leet, at which the lords of the inferior manors owe suit ; and others in the
nature of copyhold courts, for the admittance of tenants by copy of court-roll under the various
forfeited manors within the honor.'
There are also numerous other manors in various parts of the county ; some of which have
copyhold courts, and others only courts-baron for the redress of the tenants' grievances ; some have
courts-leet, and some few courts for the recovery of debts and damages under 40s., held according
to their various local customs.
It has been complained of as a defect of the superior courts, that their sittings and offices are
at too great a distance from the centre of business and the mass of the population. The evil of
the inferior judicatures of a civil nature is, that, owing to the restrictions upon the amount of the
sums sought to be recovered, and the diminished value of money, the time of respectable juries
and professional men is wasted upon trifling suits, when it might be advantageously applied to
ease the superior courts of those matters which are too small to deserve their cognisance, and yet
too great to pass remediless, save at the risk or ruin of individuals. Several unsuccessful attempts
have been made to remedy both these grievances. The answer to such has been, that it is dan-
gerous to render more easy, cheap, and speedy the administration of justice, lest the people
should contract a love of litigation, which would injure them more than the delay or denial of
redress.
It should be stated that although the Hundred or Wapentake Courts and the old Borough
Courts are not abolished, they do not dispose of much business, with the exception of such courts
as the Court of Record for Salford Hundred and the Manchester City Court of Record, which are now
amalgamated by the Salford Hundred Court of Record Act, 1868. The smaller courts are virtually
superseded by the County Courts, established under the County Courts Act, and which are held all
over the kingdom.
RECORDS OF THE COUNTY PALATINE.
The principal pubUc records connected with the jurisprudence of the county palatine of Lan-
caster may be classed under three heads :— (1) Those which were in the department of the Deputy
Clerk of the Crown at Lancaster. (2) Those which were in the department of the Prothonotary
of Her Majesty's Court of Common Pleas for the county of Lancaster; and (3) Those which were
in the department of the Registrar of the Court of Chancery of Lancashire. The records of these
Courts of Equity and Common Law are now deposited in the Public Record Office, London, pur-
suant to a request of the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, dated 25th July, 1873. Soon after
the appointment of the Commissioners of Public Records, issued in virtue of a recommendation of
the two Houses of Parliament, in the year 1800, the commissioners instituted inquiries into the
nature of these records and the places of their deposit ; and from the answers returned to those
inquiries it appears —
. mv ^ 1 ^ _(. t *v,„ T.„lro nf Riirvlpnch and Oueonsberrv for The Halmot Court and Courts Baron for the several Manors of
the ;eve4?rnoJs''and* fes\''w^hto fte"^^^^^^^ Acerington Old-hold and Aeerington New-hold, at the Court House iu
usually holden as Allows =- . ^j ohatburn, ""Thf Haimot Courts and Courts Baron for the Manor of Colne, and the
-SSSS:iS?:^^the Manor of Tottfn.ton, at ^tf^^^^Z^^Z^^^... of Peudlo, at the
"' Se'SmotSourt fnd"^oSltTaron of the Manor of Ightenhill, at the %he Audit^ afterwards_hdden at CUtheroe Castle. Hutcy of muUle,,
Court House in Burnley. '■ "■ P- ''^ • ' ■
96
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. VI.
First —That the public records, rolls, Instruments, and manuscript books and papers iu the custody of the clerk of the crown for
the county palatine of Lancaster, consist of instruments, and other criminal proceedings in the crown office for the county palatme ;
the records of such instruments and proceedings, and different books of entries, though not very numerous, are supposed to be all
that have been preserved. These records (except the proceedings at two or three preceding assizes which are kept in the office of
the deputy-clerk of the crown in Preston) are deposited in the new office or room that has been fitted up in Lancaster Castle for the
reception of these and other records of the county ; Lancaster Castle being supposed to be the property of the crown, m right of the
duchv of Lancaster. For eighty or ninety years past, the indictments, etc., are so far arranged, that any proceeding inquired for may
be easily referred to ; antecedent to that period, such as have been preserved are promiscuously placed together m no regular order,
but are in tolerable preservation. All the proceedings at each assizes within the period first mentioned are entered or docketed m
books by referring to which the proceedings in each prosecution may be known ; but there are no indexes or catalogues except
that upon some of the older rolls, the contents are endorsed. All searches are made by or m the presence of the deputy-clerk of
the crown or his confidential clerks, who are employed in the custody and arrangements of the records, and give attendance as
occasion may require without any remuneration from the public. Office copies of records are charged after the rate of eightpence
for each sheet, consisting of seventy-two words, and the usual fee upon a search is 6s. 8d., and the deputy-clerk of the crown charges
for attendmg at Lancaster during the assizes with a record, a, guinea. The searches in this office are very rare, and, of course, the
fees upon them very inconsiderable. _ i , j, j.i_ j x it, 4. ,
Second.— The public records, rolls, instruments, and manuscript books and papers in the custody of the deputy prothonotary of
the court of common pleas, in and for the county palatine of Lancaster, consist of fines and recoveries, records, writs, minutes,
papers, and proceedings in real, personal, and mixed actions, instituted in this court, along with some few enrolments of deeds ; and
they are supposed to be the whole of the records or papers relating to this court since its creation. These records and other
documents, for a period of upwards of fifty years, are lodged at the office of the deputy prothonotary, which (with other
principal law officers of this county palatine) is held at Preston, on account of its central situaton. All the early records and
documents are now lodged in an ancient tower or chamber within the castle of Lancaster, which has been very commodipusly fitted
up for their reception at the expense of the county. The records and other documents are methodically arranged in separate
compartments, according to their dates, and are in general in very good preservation. There are docket rolls or indexes to all the
records, containing the names of the parties to the fines, recoveries, and suits recorded at each assizes. As the records of this court
are kept at a distance of twenty-two miles from the office, a person is appointed at Lancaster by the deputy prothonotary, vulgarly
called custos rotulorum, who is entrusted with the care of the records, etc., whose duty it is to attend every search, and to take care
that every record be duly and safely restored to its proper place, for which a fee is due.^
Third. — The public records, etc., in the custody of the registrar of the court of chancery of the county palatine of Lancaster,
consist of bills, answers, and other pleadings, depositions, order-books, decrees, decree-books, and other books for entries in causes,
and other matters instituted in that court ; and are supposed to be the whole of the records or papers that have been preserved
since its creation. These documents, anterior to the year 1740, were kept in a room or chamber in the castle of Lancaster ; such as
are subsequent to that period are at the office of the deputy-registrar in Preston, which is the private property of the deputy-
registrar. The old records are deposited in an office fitted up iu the early part of the present century in Lancaster Castle for
their reception, at the expense of the county. The bills, answers, and depositions, etc., are upon difEerent files, with the respective
years in which they are filed marked upon labels affixed to them ; but neither these, nor the other books or proceedings, appear
ever to have been well arranged ; many of them are much defaced, and almost, if not wholly, unintelligible. The bills, answers,
depositions, etc., have usually been indexed (or entered in a pye-book) when brought to the registrar's office to be filed : there are no
indexes of the other proceedings, and many of the indexes first mentioned have been lost, and the remainder are not accurate.
Various circumstances have caused these records or papers to be at difiereut times removed. All searches in this office are made
by, or in the presence of, the deputy-registrar or his confidential clerks, who are employed iu the custody and arrangement of the
records, and give attendance as occasion requires, without any salaries or emoluments paid by the public. There are charges for
copying proceedings, etc., and fees for search, also for a journey of the deputy-registrar from Preston to Lancaster, and his expenses.
Owing to the irregular state of the records, few searches are made.
The places of deposit of the records of the county palatine^ may be summarily stated as follows :
Records and other Instruments.
Date.
Where hept.
County Palatine of Lancaster.
Chancery :
Bills, Pleadings, Depositions, Orders, and Decrees \
1740 to 1800. Dates want-
ing before 1740 ; 1135
to 1558
\ Register of the County Palatine
1 Duchy Office (now in the Record
r Office).
^' ^ ' ' \
Charters and Grants of various kinds
1136 to 1558
Common Pleas : —
Fines and Recoveries, Writs, Minutes, Proceedings in
Actions, and Inrolment of Deeds J
The Records before his present Majesty's Reign
Geo, III
jProthonotary's Office at Preston
\ (now in the Record Office).
Dates wanting
About 50 years before 180O
8 Edward III
Pleas of the Crown : —
Indictments and other Criminal proceedings, and Books of)
1 Castle, Lancaster (now in the Record
f Office).
Collectanea relating to the History and Antiquities thereof,)
made by the three Holmes [
Collection of Names of the King's Castles, Mansions, Parks,, "|
Forests, Chases, etc., within the survey of the Duchy of -
Lancaster J
Iter ForestEC 1.
British Museum.
University Library, Camb.
Lincoln's Inn Library.
King's Rememb. Office.
First-Fruits Office.
Nona Roll
15 Edward III
26 Henry VIII
Ecclesiastical Survey (a copy)
Survey of Estates therein not granted in Fee-farm
1629
Temp. Interregni
University Library, Camb.
Catalogue of Charters throughout England and Wales
Fee-farm, Rolls of
Augmentation Office.
1 Return made by ■William Cross, Esq., deputy prothonotary to tlio
Commissioners of Public Records.
2 A very comprelicnsive account of the Records of the Palatinate of
Lancashire, and those of the Superior and Abolished Courts preserved in
Her i\Iajc:ity's Public Record Office, from the pen of Mr. Walford D*
Selby, will be found in volumes vii. and viii. of the publicutions of tUo
Record aocieby. — C.
f^sAP. VI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
97
The archives of the ecclesiastical courts, so far as they concern the county of Lancaster are to
befoundat Lichfield from the earliest period of their preservation up to tL year 1590 in the
custody of the registrar of the diocese of Lichfield and Coventry; and since that period i?t he
custodyof the deputy-registrar of the diocese of Chester, the deputy-registrar of thrconsStorv
court of the archdeaconry of Richmond ; and the deputy-registrar^fthe^five several deaneries of
t^StZTeids-:^ ' ''""'^'''' ^'''^'''' ^"'^ ^"^™"- '^^''^ depositories may be ckssed
except that there are -so^echaL/in several of the bto^ T^ ^V""^'?- ■•°°? ""^^ ^'^^ 1296,
yica]^, and some entries of appropriations of rectort: at^e^ndotrnts^of^^L'Srin ZeX^^^^^^^^ Tht^ltXl^t^^f The
judicial proceedings m causes in the court, from about the year 1450 Original wills and ^r»nt.^ /rf,^'^^'^ f ^° 0°°^ of the
'""s™° 'Sreti^^dto:^ d"^^^^^^^
the s'errMa?o^h7st:; ari^^'erpU'-Th^-^our/r^^^^^^^^ tfitrr""*" *^^ T*^"". ^"=-T^^^ °^
from the y^r 1590, to the present^ time, -<i.bonds'givenX pe-nratS^^^^^^
Sundry pl«idmgs and proceedings exhibited_ in causes in the consistory court of Chester, and books o'^^^thTacts ?f the same
causes. Nine foho volumes, commencing in the year 1525, containing entries of sentences of consecrations of churchr
chapels, and burial-grounds in the diocese, faculties for rebuilding and improving churches, chapels, and parsonage-house '
confirmation of seats, and other ecclesiastical commissions and faculties. Proceedings on the instdlat ons of Spf mtents
of the officers of the vicar-general and official principal commissaries; rural dians, registrars, proc ors and^apparitoi^
Three books, commencing m 1500, contaming entries of presentations or institutions to ecclesiastical benkces wTthin th^
diocese. Four books commencmg m 1752, containing entries of institutions, Hcenses to curacies, ordinations, and other
episcopal acts. Several books of subscriptions to the liturgy and the articles of the church of England by persons orda?ned and
clergymen admitted to benefices or cures. A volume usually called .BrW^man's iecZ^«-, having been chiefly collected by Dr John
Bridgman, who was appomted Bishop of Chester m 1619, containing copies of various appropriations, endowments, compodtions
gr^ts agreements, leases, charters, orders by the crown, rentals of synodals, procurations, pensions, tenths, and subsidies ; patents
and statutes of grammar schools. A volume, usually called Gastrdl's Notitia, being compiled by Dr. Francis Gastrell fleeted
brd bishop of Chester in 1714 containing an account of the then population of each parish, number of families. Catholics
Dissenters, families of note, patrons, wardens, schools, endowments, charities, and several other particulars of each parish and
chapelry m the diocese ; entries of licenses of marriage ; probates of wills, and letters of administration ; names of the clerev •
church and chapel wardens ; account of exhibits at episcopal visitations, and correction books ; original presentation to benefices'
papers deposited therem. The records and papers are, in general, in good preservation, except the most ancient part • from time oi
mevitable accident, they are m many parts imperfect before the year 1650, and for ten years following quite deficient From
that period, the wills, and most of the registries and entries, are regular and correct. There are complete indexes to the wills
registries, and entnes of institutions, from their commencement, except in the parts before mentioned to be deficient. There are
several manusoript_ volumes in the possession of the bishop of the diocese, containing a particular account of the extent and
population of the diocese, number of Catholics and Dissenters, state of parsonage-houses, residence of clergy, schools, charities and
several other particulars relative to the diocese, being answers to queries addressed by different bishops to the clergy of the diocese.
The number of parishes in the diocese of Chester was, in the year 1800, two hundred and sixty-two.
Thibd. — The records, instruments, and papers, in the custody of the deputy registrar of the consistory court of the arch-
deaconry of Kichmond, formerly in the diocese of Chester, consist entirely of original wills ; bonds taken upon the issuing of letters
of administration, tuition, and curation ; affidavits and bonds relative to marriage-licenses; proceedings in ecclesiastical suits;
enrolment of faculties for pews and galleries in churches and chapels ; terriers and duplicates of parish registers ; and such other
matters as relate to the office and jurisdiction of the commissary of the said archdeaconry of Richmond, but do not comprehend
any record or instrument of any other nature or description. From the most ancient of the said records, to the year 1750, they
comprise the wills, administration and tuition bonds, which have arisen from every part of the said archdeaconry of Richruond •
but since that year a division took place, and the wills and other papers and records not relating to such business as is usually
called contentious, arising within the five deaneries of Amounderness, Kendal, Copeland, Lonsdale, and Furuess, part of the said
archdeaconry, are deposited in the parish church of Lancaster, under the custody of another officer there. From the most remote
period, the duplicates of parish registers, terriers, and all other records, proceedings, and papers (except those of a contentious
nature, and the wills, etc., of the period first before mentioned) of the five deaneries, are also deposited at Lancaster ; whilst all
other wills, papers, and records, arising within this archdeaconry have continued to be deposited, and remain in the registry of
the consistory court at Richmond. The registry at Richmond is part of the ancient chapel, called Trinity Chapel, in the centre
of the market-place of the borough of Richmond, sufficiently large aud commodious, and in most respects secure ; but having
several dwelling-houses and shops, wherein fires are directly underneath, as well as adjoining to it, it is in some measure exposed to
danger. The state of preservation of the records, etc., at Richmond, is in general very good, though some few of the ancient wills
have sufiered by the access of moisture in certain places, particularly in the corners of the roof, which are now perfectly repaired,
and all increase of decay is prevented as much as possible. The wills are arranged alphabetically in bundles of ten years each ; the
terriers and parish registers in parcels, according to the difierent parishes ; and all the rest of the records, with sufficient regularity
to answer the purposes of those who require searches to be made. There is no regular catalogue, schedule, or repertory of the
records, nor any index, except of the terriers and faculties, aud of such of the wills and administrations as have arisen within the
present century, within the three deaneries of Richmond, Catterick, and Boroughbridge, commonly called the three Yorkshire
deaneries.
FooRTH. — The original wills within the five deaneries of Amounderness, Copeland, Lonsdale, Kendal, and Furness, within the
archdeaconry of Richmond, preserved and kept at Lancaster, proved and approved before the worshipful commissary (for the time
being) of the said archdeaconry or his surrogates, or before the vicar-general or his surrogates respectively, since the first of Novem-
ber, 1748, are registered, deposited, and kept in a convenient room, called the registry of the east end, of and within the parish church
of Lancaster, where are also deposited all bonds taken on granting letters of administration, curation, tuition, and marriage licenses
' In 1847, by virtue of the Act 10 and 11 Vic, o. 108, the coUegiate ' Bishop Gastrell's Notitia Cestriensis has been edited by the Rev.
church of Manchester was elevated to the dignity of a cathedral, and Canon Raines, and printed for tlie Chetham Society, in 4 vols, viii.
made the seat of a bishop, and in 1880 the See of Liverpool was xix. xxi, and xxii. oi the Society's series.— H,
created.- 0.
14
98
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. VI.
within these five deaneries. And in the same place are also deposited and kept copies o£ the parochial registers delivered in by the
church and chapel wardens within the five deaneries at each visitation. The register or place of deposit is deemed very secure, and
well accommodated for the keeping of the several instruments. The several wills and instruments are well preserved, and the wills
and administration, curatiou, and tuition bonds belonging to each of the said deaneries, are kept separate and apart from each other ;
and those of each deanery arranged annually, and also decennially, in alphabetical order. The bonds on granting marriage licenses
are arranged in numerical order. There are distinct alphabetical books for each of the deaneries, called " Act Books," in each of
which are entered schedules containing a short entry of the probate of each will, and of every administration, curation, and tuition,
granted within each of the deaneries respectively ; to each of which act books is prefixed or annexed an alphabetical index of
contents.
The following exhibits a condensed view of the places of deposit of the records and other instruments connected with the
ecclesiastical affairs of the county of Lancaster : —
EOOLESIASTIOAL.
Records and other Instruments.
Date.
Where Jcept.
Diocese of Chester and of Manchester —
Installations of Bishops, Patents of Officers, etc
Terriers and Parish and Chapel Registers
Presentation to Benefices, Nominations to Curacies and
Schools
Appropriations, Endowments, Compositions, Grants, Agree-
ments, Leases, Orders, etc
Licenses of Marriage, Probates of Wills, and Letters of
Administration
Proceedings in causes, and Books of Acts of the Consistory
Court
Presentations and Institutions to Ecclesiastical Benefices ...
Consecrations of Churches, Chapels, etc , and Faculties for
rebuilding Churches
Original Wills, or Copies of ^
Population of Parishes, Account of
Richmond Archdeaconry, Consistory Court —
Wills, Original
Bonds on granting Letters of Administration, etc
Marriage Licenses and Affidavits thereon
Parochial Eegisters, Copies of
Act Books, containing Entries of Probates
Proceedings in Suits
Inrolment of Faculties tor Pews, etc
Terriers
Duplicates of Parish Registers
Wills, Original
Administration, Curation, an d Tuition Bonds
Act Books, containing Entries of Probates
The earliest date — ■
Chester
Lichfield and Coventry Diocese —
Ecclesiastical Survey
Terriers of Rectories and Vicarages
Registers containing Institutions of Rectors and Vicars,
Appropriation of Rectories, and Endowments of Vicarages
Judicial Proceedings in Causes
Wills and Grants "i
Administration, Letters of J
Licenses ■»
Registers of Parishes J
Commencing 1500
1525'!
1590 y
1714 J
to the present
time.
Bishop's Registry of Chester, or of
Manchester or Liverpool,
as the case may be.
1748 to the present
time.
1500
26 Hen. VIIL ..
1296 to the present time,
with chasms.
1450-'
1626
1660
to present time.
Consistory Registry,
Richmond.
Commissary Registry,
Lancaster.
Registry, Chester.
First Fruits Office.
Bishop's Registry,
Lichfield.
■ As to tlie wills of persons resident, or haying property, within the
county palatine o£ Lancashire, much interesting Information has been
printed of late years. Especially deserving of notice are four vols
eutitled "Lancashire and Cheshire Wills and Inventories," edited by the
Rev. G. J. Picoope, and Mr. J. P. Earwaker, B.A., vols, xxxiii., li. and
liv old series, and vol. iii. new series of the Chotham Society's series •
embracing the wills of persons of various ranks and grades within the
period A.D. 1480-174S. Of wills relating to Lancashire, but lodged in reois-
tries in Durham and Yorkshire, much information will be found in the
foUowing works, published by the Surtoes Society : Vol. ii , " Wills and
Inventories illustrative of the history, manners, etc., of the Northern
Counties of England from the nth century downwards" (chiefly
from the registry at Durham) ; edited by Dr. Raine ; vol. xxxvui., a
continuation of vol. ii " WiUs from the registry at Durham." edited by
the Rev. W. Greenwell ; and vol. xxvi., " Wills and Inventories from the
Register at Richmond," edited by Rev. J. Raine, jun Vol iv
lestamenta Eboracensia : Wills illustrative, etc., of the province of
York, from A.D. 1300 downwards." Vol. i. edited by Dr. Raine ; vol xxx.
(vol. ii.), 1429-1462, edited by the Rev. J. Raine; vol. xlv. (vol. iii.),
"Wills from the registry at Y'ork " (1395-1491). At the end of this
volume are " Dispensations for Marriage, Marriage Licenses," etc., from
the registers of York, Durham, and Richmond, 1374-1531. In addition to
these works, Mr. J. P. Earwaker has edited for the Record Society, vols,
ii. and iv. : " An Index to the WlUs and Inventories now preserved in
the Court of Probate, at Chester, from 1545 to 1650 " together with (1) "A
List of the Transcripts of Early Wills preserved In the Consistory Court,
Chester." (2) "A List of the Wills printed by the Chetham Society."
(3) " A List of the Wills seen and noted by the Revs. J. and G. J. Picoope
and not now to be found at Chester." (4) " A List of the Wills presei-ved
in Harl. MS. 1991 in the British Museum." (5) "A List of the Lancashire
and Cheshire Wills proved in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1650-
1660," and (6) "A List of the Lancashire and Cheshire Administration
granted in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury 1660-1660."— C.
CHAPTER VII.
The Earldom of Lancaster possessed by King John-Privileges to the Honor of Lancaster in Magna Charta-Forest-Laws and
Assize of the Forest at Lancaster-Grant of Land between Mersey and Ribble-Large Drains on Lancashire for Men and
Money for the Wars-Wars of the Barons-Edward IL the Prisoner of Thomas Earl of Lancaster-Analysis of Landed
Possessions in the County from Testa de Nevill.— a.d. 1164-1327.
ESUMING the chronological order of our history from the period at which it had
arrived when we commenced the history of the dukes and duchy of Lancaster,
it is proper to correct an error into which the learned Selden has fallen, when he
says, " That Lancashire, till Henry III created his youngest son Edmund Crook-
back earl of it (a.d. 1266), I think was no county; for in one of our old year
books a learned judge' affirms that in this Henry's time was the first sheriff"s
turn held there."
That sheriffs were elected for this county upwards of a century before
Henry III. ascended the throne of these realms is already abundantly clear. In the Domesday
Survey of the_ date of 1086, the county of Lancaster, as we have already seen, is surveyed as por-
tions of the adjoining counties of York and Chester, but it is not named in that survey ; and after
a diligent examination of the public records, the first mention we find of the county is in the Pipe
KolF in the Exchequer Office, seventy-eight years after that survey was completed. The Pipe Rolls
commence with 5 Stephen (a.d. 1140), and contain returns from a great number of the sheriffs of
other counties, but the name of Lancashire does not occur till the 11th Henry II. (1165), after
which the returns for Lancashire seem to be regular under every year, at least for some time. It
is thus manifest that Selden is in error in supposing that Lancashire was " no county " till the time
of Henry III., and that it had no sheriff till 1266, when Edmund Crouchback was created Earl of
Lancaster. The records of the duchy of Lancaster are stated by Mr. Harper to be of as early a
date as the first of Stephen, but those do not of course apply to the duchy, which was not created
till more than one hundred years afterwards. In the Chapter House at Westminster there is,
amongst its immense circular documental storeys, a bag of Lancashire fines, marked " Lancastria,"
in which several ancient deeds are deposited, of the date of 7 Richard I. (1195-6), relating to
ecclesiastical affairs.
In the reign of John, the men of Lancashire complained that their privileges were infringed
by Roger Poer, who had deprived them of more than a hundred acres of wood and forest land,
which they had been accustomed to enjoy as common of pasture.' The complaint of the men of
Lancashire was made with peculiar propriety to King John, who, though he was surnamed Sansterre,
or Lackland, possessed the earldom and honor of Lancaster, which were conferred upon him as an
inheritance, while he was Earl of Morton or Mortaigne, by his brother Richard I. in the excess of
his bounty. The death of Richard soon after opened the way to the throne for John, who hastened
to assume the crown, and to secure his possession, as is alleged, did not hesitate to imbrue his
hands in the blood of his nephew Arthur, who, as the son of Richard's brother, Geoffrey, third son
of Henry IL, had a better title, had the crown descended by strict hereditary succession.'' During
the reign of Richard, the spirit of crusading had been at its height ; not only the flower of the
' Thorp, 17 Edward III. (1343) fol. 666.
2 The Great Roll of the Exchequer, or Rotulus An'ocUis, called the
Pipe, was the record of the account of the Court of Exchequer, formerly
containing the accounts of the whole revenues of the Crown, digested
under the hands of the several counties, and aunually written out in
order to the charging and discharging of the sheriffs and other accountants.
The earliest Pipe Holl preserved is assigned to the 31 Henry I. (1130), and
is the most ancient record of the Court of Exchequer with the exception
of Domesday Book. In the Appendix to the Thirty-first Report of the
Deputy Keeper of the Public Records (pp. 299-302) the names are given
of the Lancashire accountants from the earhest period to the reign of
Edward I., and at the commencement of the list is this note: "The
following names are given because the title ' Viceoomes ' is frequently
applied to the officer who returns an account de honore. But Lancaster
does not appear to have been always on the same footing with other
counties before it became a county palatine by patent 25 Edward IH.
In the earlier years it seems to have been included in Northumberland.
It is, however, distinctly called a county in 8 Henry III." (1221).— 0.
" Abbrev. Placlt. Hot. 1. p. 24.
* Over the precise circumstances of the fate of Arthur there hangs a
terrible mystery, and the statements that have come down to us rest
very much upon the authority of popular tradition. One writer says
that Arthur vanished in a manner unknown to all, while another says
the king was suspected of having killed him with his own hand. A more
circumstantial account says, he took Arthur into a boat, stabbed him
twice with his own hand, and threw the dead body into the river, about
three miles from the castle. That he was murdered, and if not actually
by the hand at least by the instigation of John, there is little doubt, for
there was nothing in his nature to lead him to stop short at assassination.
"Foul as it is, hell itself is defiled by the fouler presence of John." was
the terrible verdict of his contemporaries, and this has passed into the
sober judgment of history. There ia, however, a passage on the Patent
Rolls (p. 38) which throws a curious and interesting side-light on the
events of this period. In a " safe-conduct," granted by the king, and
dated on the 24th of August, at Ohinon, he says to Alan Fitz-Count and
others who were desirous of seeing him, as he had been informed by
"Furmie, servant of Arthur, our nephew," — "We command you,
however, that ye do naught whereby evil may befal our nephew
Arthur. "-C.
100 THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. vii.
most distinguished families in Lancashire, but in every part of Christendom, embarked in these
holy wars with the utmost enthusiasm ; and though a few splinters from the wood of the real cross
were purchased by the sacrifice of more than 300,000 men, such was the excitation of the times,
that a knight-templar seldom failed to rank amongst the first of public benefactors. To these
wars future ages are indebted, if not for the introduction, at least for the development of the science
of heraldry and coat armour, by which the incased knights were distinguished on the plains of
Palestine, and since which time illustrious families have used them to adorn their pedigrees.
When the great bulwark of British freedom, Magna Charta, was wrested from King John on
the field of Runnymede (1215), by the intrepid barons, special privileges were granted to the honor
of Lancaster by name ; and it was provided in the articles appendant to that charter, that " if any
one should hold of any escheat as of the honor of Walingeford, Notingeham, Bologne, or Lankastr',
or of other escheats which are in the king's hands, and are baronies, and he die, his heir shall not
give any other relief, or perform any other service, to the king, than he should perform to the
baron ; and that the king hold it in the same manner as the baron." The Charter of Forests was
scarcely less appreciated in Lancashire than Magna Charta. The number and extent of the forests
in this county made the severity of the laws by which they were protected oppressive in the
extreme (though the rigour of the laws had already been relaxed in their favour), and the immu-
nities conferred on the people by these memorable charters would have immortalised the memory
of the king had they flowed spontaneously from the royal bounty, instead of having been dictated
by an imperious necessity over Avhich he had no control.
The Forest-Laws are of great antiquity in this country ; they are of Saxon origin ; and, like
the laws of Draco, they are written in blood.
A charter of forests was granted by Canute, in the year 1016, called '• The Charter and Constitution of Forests," introduced by
this royal declaration : " These are the Constitutions of the Forest, which I, Canute, king, with the advice of my nobles, do make
and stablish, that both peace and justice may be done to all the churches of our kingdom of England, and that every offender may
suffer according to his quality, and the manner of his offence." By this charter, four of the best freemen {Pagened, Verderors) were
appointed in every province of the kingdom, to distribute justice, called "The Chief Men of the Forest." There were placed under
each of these four men of middle sort {Lespegend, Regardors), to take upon themselves the care and charge by day '' as well of the
vert as of the venison." ^ Under each of these, two of the meaner sort of men {Tinemen, Foresters) were appointed to take care of
the vert and the venison by night. These officers were supported at the cost of the state, the first class receiving a stipend of two
hundred shillings a-year, the second of sixty, and the third of fifteen each, with certain equipments and immunities. " The Chief
Men of the Forest " were clothed with royal powers in the administration of the laws of the forest. If any man offered violence to
one of these chief men, if a freeman, he was to lose his freedom and all that he had ; and if a villein, his right hand was to be cut
off, for the first offence ; for the second he suffered death, whether a freeman or a slave. Offences in the forest were punished
according to the manner and quality of the offender : any freeman, either casually or wilfully chasing or hunting a beast of the
forest, so that by swiftness of the course the beast pant for breath, was to forfeit ten shillings to the king ; if not a freeman, twenty ;
if a bondman, to lose his skin ! If the beast chased be a royal beast (a staggon), and he shall pant and be out of breath, the freeman
to lose his liberty for a year, the bondman for two years, and the villein to be outlawed. A freeman or a bondman killing any beast
of the forest, to pay double its value for the first offence, the same for the second, and for the third to forfeit all that he possesses.
Bishops, abbots, and barons, not to be challenged for hunting in the forests, except they kill royal beasts, and then to make restitu-
tion to the king. Every freeman to be allowed to take his own vert, or venison, in the purlieus of the forest, or when hunting in his
own ground, but he must refrain from the king's venery. Freemen only to keep the dogs called greyhounds, and the knees of those
dogs to be cut before the chief men, unless they be removed, and kept ten miles from the bounds of the royal forest. Velterana,* or
Langerans, small dogs, as well as Ramhundt, might be kept without cutting their knees. If a dog became mad, and bit a beast of
the forest, the owner was required to make a recompense according to the price of a freeman — that is, twelve times two hundred
shillings ; but if a royal beast was bitten by a mad dog, then the owner was to answer as for the greatest offence in the forest —
namely, with his own life ! Such substantially were the forest laws of Canute the Dane.
WiUiam the Norman, another royal Nimrod, did not relax the severity of these laws ; but, by
afforesting large tracts of land, very much extended the field of their operation. Though the
Conqueror displayed a large share of his sanguinary and rapacious character in the north, there is
no reason to suppose that he deprived any man of his possessions to enlarge the forests of Lanca-
shire. It is said of him, however, by Mapes, perhaps with some monkish exaggeration, that in
afforesting the New Forest, in Hampshire, for the free enjoyment of the chase, " he took away
much land from God and man, and converted it to the use of wild beasts and the sport of his dogs,
for which he demolished thirty-six churches, and exterminated the inhabitants."^ The retribution
which followed was speedy and signal ; three of the immediate descendants of the great spoliator
lost their lives while engaged in the chase in this forest, amongst whom was William Rufus, who
fell by the arrow of his bow-bearer, Sir Walter Tyrrell.
Richard I. was much addicted to the pleasures of the chase, and, as one of the highest favours
he could bestow upon his brother John, Earl of Morton, he gave him, as we here learn, the honor
of Lancaster, and the royal prerogatives of forest in this county. John, having received so much
from his sovereign, felt disposed to allow the knights, thanes, and freeholders of the county of
Lancaster to share in the royal bounty ; and for this purpose he granted them a charter, whereby
1 The virt is covert, the trees, and the herbage of tho forest ; ani, = A kind of terrier. Langeran is a corruDtiou of a Danish word, and
according to Sir Edward Coke, whatever beast of the forest is for tho should more likely be Langrun or Longsnout C,
fuod of man is venison. a Lib. (je Script. Brit. 1S7. e. 159.
<^HAP- ^"- THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
101
StL^vw-n .l^'7' ^^i^^^^t/ballenge of him and his heirs, were allowed to fell, sell, and give,
Lll W^'V ' Kvf ^°°?«',]"thout being subject to the forest regulations, aAd t^ hunt^Id
take hare foxes, rabbits and all kinds of Avild beasts, except stag, hiSd, and roebuck, and wild
ten'ln tlr Tw Y forests beyond the demesne hays of the county/ This charter he con-
firmed to them in thefirst year of his reign (1199), before the celebrated "Carta de Foresta " (1224)
for ameliorating the rigours of the forest laws was sketched; and his successor, Henry III. con-
firmed these franchises to the lieges of Lancashire four years after he had signed that charter.
These grants so ratified and confirmed, were not sufficient to protect "the lieges" against the
annoyance of the royal foresters and on the 18th of Edward II. (1324-26) we find them presenting
a petition to the king, praying that they may enjoy their chartered privileges without molestation"
The answer to this petition was-" Let them come into the Chancery, and show their charters and
confirmations ; and then—" Le Roi se avisera ; " which was a form of refusal.
ihe parks, forests, and chases' of Lancashire, in the time of the Edwards, according to the
records in the duchy office were : Wyresdale, Lonsdale, Quernmore, Amounderness, Bkasdale,
Derbyshire (West Derby) Fullwood, Symoneswood, Lancaster, Croxteth, Toxteth; and included
m the general term of the Forest of Lancaster were the forests of Bowland, Blackburnshire, Pendle,
Irawden, Accrmgton, and Rossendale ; in a word, the high region on the eastern side of the county,
the successive possessions of the houses of Lacy and of Lancaster.
Though the "Carta de Foresta,"^ and the "Assisa et Consuetudines Forestae," of the 6th
Edward 1. (1278) had so far relaxed the rigour of the forest-laws as no longer to allow the life of a
man to be put on a level with the life of a stag, yet assizes of forests were statedly held in this
county, at which the Justices in Eyre north of the Trent presided, and where ofiences committed
against " the vert and the venison " were visited with heavy penalties.
A record of the Forest Assize held at Lancaster, 15 Edward I. (1286),' discloses pretty fully
the system of forest jurisprudence. We have therein the Justices in Eyre, " Justiciarii Itinerantes,"
north of the Trent, assisted by the Foresters of the Fee, in their ministerial capacity, for they had
no judicial office. To these were added the Viridors, who presided in the forest courts of attach-
ment and swainemote as a kind of initiative tribunal, leaving it to the judges to ratify or to annul
their decisions. To complete the judicial array, there were added twenty-four Regardors, or jurors,
knights of the forest, chosen by virtue of the king's writ, and elected, like the Viridors, by the
freeholders in full county. The presentments for killing and taking deer are in the usual style,
and amounted at this assize to forty-eight in number. The most remarkable is the plea set up by
Nich. de Lee, who, in justification of his conduct in hunting in the king's forest, urges the
chartered privileges (those granted by King John especially) of the knights and freeholders of
Lancashire," of whom he was doubtless one. These proceedings show that the sanguinary character
of the forest-laws had been gradually ameliorated ever since the time of Canute, by the charters
of King John, Henry III., and Edward I. ; and, instead of expatriation and death, we find the
heaviest punishments inflicted at this memorable assize to consist of fines and imprisonment, and
those of a very moderate nature. In a word, the forest-laws, so severely condemned, were less
rigorous under the Plantagenets than were the game-laws of more modern times.
The Lancaster forests, in days of yore, answer with great accuracy to the description given by
Manwood, the elaborate writer on the Forest-Laws, when he says — " A forest is a certaine territory
of woody grounds and pastures, privileged for wild beasts and fowls of forest, chase, and warren, to
rest and abide in under the protection of the king, for his princely delight and pleasure." The
forest-laws, as administered at the assize of the forests of Lancaster and of Pickering, are quoted
by this authority as the most perfect model of forest jurisprudence. " The Earl of Lancaster," says
he, " in the time of Edward II. and Edward III. had a forest in the counties of Lancaster and York,
in the which he did execute the forest-laws as largely as any king in this realm did. And even at
this day (a.d. 1580) there are no records so much followed as those which were executed by the
said earl in his forests." '
* Duchy Rolls, Rot. f. 12. fi*om the king with as much difficulty, as those of Magna Charta itself.
' Ex Pet. in Pari,, 18 Edward II., No. 17. By this charter, confirmed in Parliament (9 Henry III.), many forests
^ The legal distinction between & forest and a cliase is this— the latter were disafforested or stripped of their oppressive privileges, and regula-
is under the common law, the former under the forest-laws. Blackstozie tions were made in the regimen of such as remained ; particularly,
sa^s, •' A forest in the hands of a subject is properly the same thing (cap. 10) killing the king's deer was made no longer a capital offence, but
with a chase, being subject to the common law, and not to the forest- only punishment by a fine, imprisonment, or abjuration of the realm,
laws. But a chase differs from a 'park, in that it is not enclosed, and also And by a variety of subsequent statutes, together with the long
in that a man may have a chase in another man's ground as well as in his acquiescence of the Crown without exerting the forest-laws, this
own, being indeed the liberty of keeping beasts of chase or royal game prerogative is now become no longer a grievance to the subject."—
therein, prohibited even from the owner of the land, with a power of Blackstone Com. ii, p. 416.
hunting them therein. "—Com. ii, 38, = Due. Rot. 15 Edw. I. f. 12.
* ** The cruel and insupportable hardships which the forest-laws " See John's Charter, p, 99,
created to the subject occasioned our ancestors to be as jealous for their ' See Manwood on the Forest laws, p. 72, a work which may bo
reformation as for the relaxation of the feudal rigours and the other consulted with advantage by those who wish to obtain more than a
exactions Introduced by the Norman family, and accordingly wo find the popular acquaintance with this subject,
immunities of Carta de Fm-eata as warmly contended for, and extorted
102 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. vii.
In much later times we have had an English monarch displaying his solicitude for the pre-
servation of the " vert and venison" in the forests of Lancashire. The following royal warrant,
addressed to the Master Foresters, Bow-bearers, and Keepers of the Forests, Parks, and Chases, in
the county palatine of Lancaster, and in other parts of the duchy, bearing the signature of King
William III., and countersigned by the chancellor and auditor of the duchy, will form a not mapt
conclusion to this digression : —
WILLIAM R. T. . „ c /^ T.
SEtiiertaa Complaint has been made to Us that Rreat Destruction has been made of Our Deer m several! of Our iorrests,
Chaces & Parks within Our Duchy & County Palatine of Lancaster, and that some of you have refused to give an Account
thereof ■ Our Royall Will and Pleasure is, that you and every of you, do from time to time, as often as it shall be required of
vou eive a true and just Account To Our Right Trusty and Right Well-beloved Cozen & Counsellor, Thomas Earle of Stamford,
Chancellor of Our Duchy & County Palatine of Lancaster, or Chancellor for the Time benig, Of All Our Deer within the
Forrests Chases & Parks where you are respectfully concerned, and of what Destruction has been made thereof. And at the
Close of' every Season you also give a particular and true account what Number of Our Deer have been killed, by whom, for
whom and by whose Order or Authority, and of what Stock is or shall be remaining in Our Forrests, Chases, and Parks
wherein you are concerned as aforesaid, that all abuses and ill practices may be remedied, and Our Deer better preserved for
the future And hereof you are not to faile, as you will answer the contrary at your Perill.— Given at Our Court at Kensington
the 23d day of December 1697, and in the Ninth year of Our Reign
By his Majesty s Command. blAJttiOKD,
p Jo. Bennett, Atid.
Enrolled in the Office of the Auditor of the Lord the King that now is, of his Duchy of Lancaster, in the South Parts,
20 Dec. 9 Wm. III. 1697.
The act of Magna Charta, so recently granted by John, was confirmed and ratified by
Henry III., to whom an aid of one-fifteenth of all the movables of his people was given by Parlia-
ment in return for this favour, with the reservation that those only who paid the fifteenth should
be entitled to the liberties and privileges of the charter. To give increased stability to the
obligations of this engagement between the king and his people, all the prelates and abbots were
assembled, with burning tapers in their hands, and the great charter being raised in their presence,
they denounced the sentence of excommunication against all who should henceforth violate this
fundamental law. Then, throwing down their tapers on the ground, they exclaimed — " May the
soul of every one who incurs this sentence so stink and corrupt in hell !" To which the king, who
took part in the ceremony, added — " So help me God. I will keep these articles inviolate, as I am
a man, as I am a Christian, as I am a knight, and as I am a king crowned and anointed."^
The trial by ordeal, introduced by the Saxons, and continued through so many successive ages,
to the outrage of justice and the scandal of the nation, could now no longer be tolerated. The
Church of Rome, never prone to innovation, was the first to protest against a standard so fallible.
And accordingly we find royal letters of the reign of Henry III. (1219) addressed to the itinerant
judges in the counties of Lancaster, Cumberland, and Westmorland, the north-western circuit of
that day, announcing to the judges that because it was not determined previous to the opening of
the circuit what form of trial they should undergo who were charged with robbery, murder, arson,
and the like, " since the ordeal of fire and water had been prohibited by the Roman Church," it
had been provided by the king in council that the jtidges should proceed in the following manner
with persons accused of these crimes, viz., that those charged with the greater crime, and to
whom violent suspicion attached, should be held and safely confined in prison, but not in such
a manner as to incur peril of life or limb ; that persons accused of other crimes, and to whom, had
it not been prohibited, the ordeal of fire and water might have been sufiicient, should be required
to quit the realm ; and that those charged with minor offences should be liberated on bail. These
directions, it was felt, were very vague and general ; but as they were all that the council could at
the time provide, the judges were left at liberty to follow their own discretion, and to act according
to the dictates of their consciences.
In this reign the undisputed possession of that great mass of Lancashire property, the lands
between Ribble and Mersey, was conveyed by the family of Roger de Maresey to Randulf or Randle,
Earl of Chester, in virtue of a compact of which the following is a translation : —
This agreement is made between the Lord Randle, Earl of Chester and Lincoln, and Roger de Maresey, viz., that the said Earl
and Roger shall deliver to Sir Ralph de Bray, one forty marks [£26 : 13 : 4], and the other the charter which the said Roger makes
to the lord the earl of the sale and demise of all his lands which he had or may have between the Ribble and Mersey ; to wit, so
that Roger shall go without delay between Ribble and Mersey, to the dispossessing himself of the said lands, and to the causing of
all those (who held of him there) to do their homage to the said lord the earl, or their fealty to his bailiffs appointed in his place.
Which done, the said Ralph de Bray shall render to the oft-named earl the charter already named, and to the same Roger the said
forty marks. If the tenants refuse to do homage, etc., the earl or his bailiffs shall compel them to render it. And the said Roger,
at the cost of the lord the earl, shall jouruey together with the earl's bailiffs, so far as this business requires, so that what is afore-
said may be consummated. And for the greater security, each of them to this writing in the form of a chirograph hath set his seal.
Witnesses : the Lord Walter, Abbot of Chester, Sir William de Vernon, Justiciar of Chester, Ralph de Bray, Walter Dayvill,
Richard de Biron, John de Lexington, Simon and John, clerks.
[Prom the Couchir Book of the Duchy Office, London, tome i. Comitatua Lancastrice, fol. 77, num. 70.]
* Fcedera, vol. i. p. 1413.
CHAP. vii. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 103
Notwithstanding the ratification of Magna Charta, the nation continued much agitated by the
intrigues of the nobles within, and the hostility of the bordering countries from without, To meet
this emergency a proclamation was issued to the sheriffs of the counties of Lancaster, Cumberland,
and Westmorland, ordering them to assemble all those in their respective jurisdictions who held of
the king in chief to the amount of a knight's fee, to be prepared with horses and arms, to march
with the king from Chester on an expedition into Wales against Llewellyn, and other rebels. The
barons, in the meantime, more anxious about the redress of their own grievances than the incur-
sions of the Welsh, assembled in supreme council at Oxford under Simon de Montfort, Earl of
Leicester, and, after insisting upon the strict fulfilment of the articles of Magna Charta, demanded
that four knights should be chosen by the freeholders from each county in the kingdom, to make
inquiries into the complaints of the inhabitants, and to present them at the next Parliament. They
also resolved that three Parliaments should be held in every year, including burgesses, as well as
barons and ecclesiastical dignitaries, the two latter of whom had alone been hitherto summoned ;
that the sheriffs should be annually chosen in each county by the freeholders ; that the sheriffs
should have no power to fine the barons ; that no heirs should be committed to the wardship of
foreigners ; that no new warrens or forests should be created ; nor the revenues of any counties or
hundreds let to farm. The king, feeling that the tendency of these extensive measures of reform
was to abridge the royal power, strenuously opposed their introduction, and the matter was finally
referred to the pope, by whose decision the great charter was ratified, but the ordinances of the
supreme council of Oxford were annulled. The barons did not hesitate to resist the award of his
holiness by force of arms, and Robert de Ferrars, earl of Derby, was amongst the most distinguished
of the insurgents (a.d. 1263). An association was formed in the city of Worcester, consisting of the
populace and the leaders of the insurgents, amongst whom were eighteen of the great barons,
headed by the Earls of Leicester, Gloucester, and Derby, with Le Despenser the chief justiciary.
By the terms of their compact they were never to make peace with the king, but by common
consent, and with such securities for their liberties and privileges as those which were contained in
the convention of Oxford. A long and sanguinary civil war ensued, and on the 14th May, 1264,
Henry saw his army completely routed at Lewes by the valorous De Montfort, and himself, his
son Prince Edward, and the king of the Romans made prisoners. On the following day a treaty,
known as the mise of Lewes, was entered into, and the king was obliged to ratify the obnoxious
convention of Oxford. Subsequently, Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, fell in the contest at
Evesham, August 4th, 1265, and at the same time the Earl of Derby was taken iprisoner. This
struggle was, however, essentially conducive to the establishment of the public liberties, and laid
the foundation of our representative system of government, for after the battle at Lewes, De Mont-
fort called a great council of the nation, to which were summoned not only the barons, prelates, and
abbots, but also two knights from each county, two citizens from each city, and two burgesses from
each borough. Thus was the democratic element — the foundation of the Houseof Commons — first
introduced, the council being that in which we first distinctly recognise the Parliament of England.
The defeat of the barons elevated the house of Lancaster. The forfeited title and possessions of
Simon de Montfort devolved by royal favour upon Edmund Crouchback, the second son of Henry
III and the estates of Robert de Ferrars, Earl of Derby, were also conferred upon him by the king,
with a grant of the possession of the county of Lancaster, but not to the prejudice of Roger de
Llewellyn Prince of Wales, had been deeply implicated with the barons of England in their
wars against their sovereign, Henry III., and when Edward I. ascended the throne, one of the first
acts of his government was to summon the Wesh prince to do homage m person to the new kmg
With this mandate Llewellyn refused to comply, except upon the condition that the king s son, and
other noblemen should be delivered to the Welsh court as hostages for his sale custody. Edward
was in no temper for parley, and accordingly we find a summons from the king calling upon Roger
de Lancastre to attend upon his majesty, to proceed agamst the Welsh, who are represented as
having risen in rebellion. This royal order was followed by a writ of military summons (dated
Windsor 12th Dec 5 Edw. 1., 1276) from the king to Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, and the sheritt
of the county, announcing that Llewellyn, son of Gryffydd, Prince of Wales, and hip rebellious asso-
ciates had invaded the land of the lieges in the Marches, and committed homicides and other
enormous damages and commanding that the sheriff do forthwith assemble all that are capable ot
bearing arms in the hundreds, boroughs, and market towns of his shrievalty to march to
Worcester in the octaves of St. John the Baptist, prepared with horses and arms.' The war was
continued, with some intermissions through several_ successive years ; .^''^'''Zr^^^^to^^^^^^
passage into Wales, it appears that a mandate was issued by the king in the year 1^8^ to tne
1 Rot. Claus. 6 Ed. I. m. 12 d. in Turr. Load,
104 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. vii.
sheriff of Lancashire, ordering him to provide two hundred woodcutters {coiipiatorihus) to cut
away the wood, and thereby to open passes into Wales. These men were to be powerful and active,
and each of them was to come provided with a large hatchet to cut down the trees. They were to
be chosen in the presence of William de Percy, who was sent specially into the county for that
purpose, and were to muster at Chester, on Saturday, on the octaves of the Feast of St. Peter. For
this service the sheriff was to pay, from the issues of his bailiwick, into the hands of each hewer,
threepence per diem for his wages. ^ At the time when these Lancashire husbandmen, of extra-
ordinary powers, were receiving threepence a day for their labour, the price of wheat was ninepence
per bushel, and taking the average of wages in England for the six hundred years following, it will
be found (unfavourable seasons apart) that the wages of labour have generally been in the propor-
tion of a peck of wheat per day. In large towns the price of manufacturing labour has often been
higher, and in some cases, especially amongst the weavers, much lower ; but as a standard, none
can approach nearer than the one which is here suggested. Much obscurity is thrown over his-
torical and topographical works on the subject of money, for want of some standard of value to
which the sums mentioned in different ages may be referred. No standard will be found so uner-
ring as the prices of wheat and of labour, which, on being compared in times past with the price of
those articles in our day, will always convey to the mind some definite notion, when sums of money
are mentioned, of the value of those sums at the period under consideration. With this view the
following table, extracted from the records in the exchequer, and collated with Paris, Walsingham,
Stowe, Fleetwood, and others is constructed : —
CHRONOLOGICAL TABLE,
SHOWING THE PRICE AT WHICH THE ARTICLES THEREIN MENTIONED SOLD IN THE YEARS SPECIFIED.
A.D. £ B. d.
1202. Wheat (rainy season) per quarter 12
1248. Thirty-seven Sheep for the King 18 4
1253. Wheatfellto per quarter 2 6
1256. Brewers ordered to sell three gallons of Ale in the country for a penny.
1272. A Labourer's Wages per day 1.^
A Harvest Man do 2
1274. A Bible in nine vols., with a Comment 33 6 8
1275. Rent of the Lord Mayor's House a year 10
1280. The Chancellor's Salary do. 40
1283. An English Slave and his Family sold for 13 4
1285. Grinding Wheat per quarter OJ
1286. Wheat, after a great storm do. 16
1288. „ fellto do. 18
1294. Wheat (a grievous famine) do. 10
Wheat, average in the 13th century, about do. 6
1300. Wheat and Barley do. 3 4
Oats do. 18
A Primer for the Prince of Wales, now 15 years 11 months old 2
1302. ACow 6
A fat Sheep 1
A Cock or Hen each IJ
1309. APairof Shoes 4
1314. Prices fixed by Parliament — A fat Ox 16
ACow £0 12
A fat Hog 3 4
Pair of Chickens 1
A Sheep 12
A fat Goose 2 J
Eggs per dozen Oi
This maximum increased the scarcity which it was intended to remove. The growers would not bring in provisions, and what
was sold was dearer than before. The Act was therefore repealed in 1315.
A.D. £ g. d.
1315. Salt (an unheard-of price) abushel 2 6
1326. Yearly Rent of Arable Land in Kent per acre 3d. to 6
Pasture Land do 1
Meadow Land do 4d. to 10
1338. Allowance from Edward III. to 32 Students at Cambridge per diem 2
Wool taken by the King (a forced price) per stone of 14 1b. 2
1342. Wine per gallon 4
1347. King's Apothecary (a pension for life) per day
1348. A year of pestilence — a Horse 6 8
a fat Ox 4
a Cow 10
a Heifer 6
1357. Ransom of David King of Scotland 100,000
1360. of John King of France 500000
A Horse for military service ' 1 o
A Master Carpenter, 4d.— his Journeyman per day 2
1379. Wine, white, 6d.— red per gallon '. 4
Foedera, vol. ii. p. 611.
CHAP. VII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 105
A.r.
£
1385. Assistant Clerk of Parliament a year ... 5
1390. Kendal Cloth ..Z'.'.'.'.Z..'. ...Za -piece '.'.'.ZsZid.io
Wheat, average in the 14th century, about per quarter
1407. Salt per bushel... '.'.'. !'.'.'.!.
A Plough
Wages of a Thresher per (jay
1414. A priest's stipend, with cure of souls a year 5
without 4
1482. 220 Draught Horses for ',,, ..'!!."!!"!".... ".'.'.'.['.'.'.'.'.'.'.'.'. 100
1495. Allowance to Edward the Fourth's Daughter a week 1
for her eight servants a year 51
Oats a quarter
Wheat
Wheat, average in 15th century, as estimated for rent, about
1547. Income of the poor churches in York a year 1
1562. Wheat, conversion price per quarter
Ale, when malt was 8s. per quarter per gallon
1576. Beef and Mutton a stone
Veal 8d. to
Wheat, average in the 16th centui-y, about per quarter 1
Labour of a husbandman per week, in the 1 6th century
AVERAGE PRICE OF WHEAT AND MALT PER QUARTER, AT WINDSOR.
s,
d.
5
6
7-?
10
2
6
8
13
4
11
8
2
6
7
6
8
8
2
6
1
1
5
From 1611 to 1620 £2 1 U
1621 to 1630 2 5 2""
1631 to 1640 2 6 104
1641 to 1650 3 12 8
1651 to 1660 2 10
1661 to 1670 2 8 lOJ
From 1671 to 1680 £2 10 84
1681 to 1690 119 14
1691 to 1700 2 16 104
1701 to 1710 2 3 24
1711 to 1720 2 4 11
1721 to 1731 2 11
Labour of a husbandman per week, in the 17th century 9
These prices of wheat are from the Eton Books, and are for the best grain ; the measure also is above the legal standard, so that
7-9ths of the preceding quotations will form about the average price of aU England.
AVERAGE LONDON PRICE IN JANUARY.
Wheat. Barley. Oats.
From 1732 to 1740 £1 8 10 £0 15 14 £0 12 5
1741 to 1750 1 5 84 14 3 12 4
I751tol760 1 13 3 17 11 14 104
1761tol770 113 114 12 15 114
AVERAGE PRICE IN ENGLAND AND WALES.
Wheat.
From 1771 to 1775 £2 10
1776 to 1780 1 19
1781 to 1785 2 9 2
1786tol790 2 5 10
1791 to 1795 2 12 11
1796 to 1800 3 12 34
Labour of ahusbandman per week, in the 18th century 110
AVERAGE PRICE OF WHEAT IN ENGLAND AND WALES
In each period of fire years from 1801 io 1885 inclusive, from the Official Returns.
Barley.
£16 9
10
Oats.
£0 16 104
16 64
1 4 44
16 10
1 3 54
17 04
1 10 lU .
110
1 17 8
1 5 2
From 1801 to 1805 £4
1806tol810 4 7 11
1811 to 1815 4 14 3
1816 to 1820 4 10
1821 to 1825 2 17 3
1826 to 1830 3 17
1831 to 1835 2 12 8
1836tol840 3 12
1841tol845 2 14 9 nil
Labour of a husbandman per week, in the 19th century
From 1846 to 1850 £2
1851 to 1855 2
1856 to 1860 2
1861 to 1865 2
1866 to 1870 2
1871 to 1875 2
1876tol880 2
1881 to 1885 2
11
11
15
11
13
4
7
6
14
7
14
7
7
6
1
COINAGE.
For a further illustration of the Scale of Prices in successive ages, it is necessary to show how many pounds shillings and
pennii have been coined out of a pound troy of silver at different times in England ; and also the degree of fineness of the standard,
and the times at which the several alterations have taken place.
Fine Silver. Alloy.
oz. dwt.
Before a.d. 1300 a pound of standard silver contained. 11 2
1300. 28 Edward I || ^
1344. 18 Edward III {| ;
1346. 20EdwardIII ^j ^
1353. 27 Edward III ^^ ;
1412. ISHenrylV '■^ ^
15
oz.
dwt
18
18
18
18
18
18
Value of the
lb.
3f Silver.
£
s.
d.
3
2
2
2
6
5
10
18
18
2
6
8
6
9
0-
19
1
18
18
18
CHAP. VII,
Value of the
lb. (
af Silver.
£
B.
d.
1
17
6
2
5
2
8
2
8
2
8
3
12
3
12
3
3
3
3
2
3
6
01
106 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
Fine Silver. Alloy.
^j)^ oz. dwt. oz. dwt.
1464. 4EdwardIV H 2
1527. 18HenryVIII H 2
1543. 34HenryVIII 10
1545. 36HenryVIII 6
1546. 37 Henry VIII *
1549. SEdwardVI 6
1551. SEdwardVI 3
1551, end of 1552. 6 Edw. VI 11 1
1553. 1 Mary H "
1560. 2 Elizabeth H 2
1601. 43EUzabeth 11 2
1816. 56 George III H 2
These rates of English money, except the last, are taken by Mr. Folkes from the indentures made with the masters of the
Mint, and consequently may be depended upon as authentic ; the last is from the Act 66 George III. cap. 68 (1816).
The mines of Lancashire were yet unexplored ; and the most important of all_ its minerals, as
constituting the principal source of its manufacturing greatness, had lain undisturbed in the
bowels of the earth till the reign of Henry III., when coals, except as far as they might have been
employed by the Romans, were, for the first time, used as fuel in England.^ From that period to
the present the great coalfields in the south and in the centre of the county of Lancaster have
continued to be worked, but the full extent of their capacity and utility was not shown till the
middle of the eighteenth century, when the agency of steam began to be brought into general
operation under the powerful genius of Bolton and Watt, and the inventive faculties of Kay, Har-
greaves, Arkwright, Crompton, and Cartwright, aided by the skill, enterprise, and capital of Peel,
and a hundred other names that might be mentioned.
In the early ages of our history the honour of knighthood, with the military services to which
it was incident under the feudal system, was often forced upon the subject, and hence we find
that, in the year 1278,' a writ was addressed to the sheriff of Lancashire, commanding him to dis-
train upon all persons seised of land of the value of £20 per annum, whether held of the Icing in
capite, or of any other lord, who ought to be knights, and were not, and all such were ordered
forthwith to take out their patent of knighthood. Fourteen years after this a writ was issued,
wherein the qualification was raised to double the amount, and a writ, dated the 6th of February,
1292, was issued to the sheriff of Lancashire, along with other sheriffs, proclaiming that all persons
holding lands in fee, or of inheritance, of the value of £40 per annum, must take the order of
knighthood before Christmas in that year. One of the prerogatives of the crown was to relax and
to vary these services, and hence a writ, addressed to the sheriff of Lancashire, was issued, reciting
"that the commonalty of England having performed good services against the Welsh, the king
excuses persons, not holding lands of the value of £100 per annum, from taking the order of
knighthood ;" but in this writ it was directed that all holding above that amount, and not taking
that order before the Nativity of the Virgin, are to be distrained upon. Subsequently, injunctions
were addressed to the sheriff, commanding him to make extents on the lands of those who refused
to take the order of knighthood, and to hold them for the king until further orders. It must not
be supposed that this honour was always declined, or that no man's ambition led him to aspire to
the distinction. Such a conclusion would be erroneous ; for we find a writ to the sheriff of Lanca-
shire, of the date of the 6th of April, 1305, directing him to proclaim that all who should become
knights, and are not, must repair to London before Whit-Sunday next, to receive that distinction,
if properly qualified.*
While the contest continued between England and Wales, a number of public oflacers were
appointed, called commissioners of array {arraiatores), whose duty it was to array the troops
engaged in thewar, to preserve the peace in the midst of so much agitation, and to communicate
the views and intentions of the government to the people. Roger de Mortimer, who enjoyed a
large share of the royal favour, received the appointment of conservator of Lampaderoour (Lampe-
ter), in West Wales, which appointment was announced by letter to the prelates and clergy, in
Lancashire, through the medium of Reginald de Grey, the captain in Chester and FHntshire.
I In 1816 the pound of buUion was first coined info sixty-six (Stat, de niiUt. 1 Edward II.) amounted to £20 per annum, was obliged
shillings, of which, however, only sixty-two were issued ; four shillings to bo knighted, and attend the king in his wars, or fine for his non-
bemgkeptatthemintasasoignorage. complianoo." Considerable foes accrued to the sovereign upon the per-
One of the earliest notices of coal m Lancashire is found in a formance of this ceremony, and hence the desire on the one hand to exert
deed among the muniments at Arley Hall-an assignment of dower the prerogative, and the reluctance manifested in many instances on
made at Wamngton 6 Edw,ird III. (1830), which, tnta- alia, mentions the other to accept the honour. Edward VI. and Queen Elizabeth
mineracarhonum as then existmg at Burnhill, in Ashton-in-Makerfleld.-O. appointed commissioners to compound with all persons who had lands
4 [■ ' •■ Sr"^' ,, J J^: ^' '}: ^""'' '"?°'^' '» t^"^ extent of £40 a year, and who declined the honour and expense
* Knights were caUed mihira, becauae they formed a part of the of knighthood. The exorcise of the prerogative bv Charles I., as an
wn'^f nt^RlLvlJ^ f f }n'''' S"^,''' ^^^X'"'.', S"'^ Condition of which expedient to raise money, gave great offence, though warranted by
was, as Blackstone states (Con. B 1. p. 404), " that every ono who held positive statute and the recent example of Queen Elizabeth. The pre-
a knights fee immediately under the Crown, which, in Edward Il.'s time rogativo was abolished by 10 Charles I. c. U -C
CHAP. VII. THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE. 107
The necessities of the public treasury, in 1282, obliged the king to demand an aid by way of
loan from the religious houses, and from all the merchants in the kingdom, and John de Kirkeby
■was enpowered to declare certain difficult and important matters with which he was entrusted,
explanatory, no doubt, of the king's necessities, to the people of Lancashire. Speedily afterwards,
letters patent were addressed to Robert de Harington, John Byron, and Robert de Holland,
appointing them conservators of the peace, pursuant to the statute of Winton, and writs of Venire
were issued for that purpose.^
In the spring of 1282 the fancied security of the English Government was disturbed by a
general outbreak of the Welsh people. On the night of Palm Sunday, David, the brother of
Llewellyii-ap-Gryffydd, Prince of Wales, surprised the castle of Hawarden, in Flintshire, captured
the justiciary, Roger de Clifford, who is described in the Welsh annals as a cruel tyrant, and carried
him off prisoner to the mountain fastnesses of Snowdon, his whole retinue of knights and atten-
dants being at the same time put to the sword. The old national feeling of the people prevented
them willingly adopting the English usages, or of tamely submitting to the imperious decrees of
the proud justiciaries and bailifls who claimed dominion over them. During the contest, several
summonses for military service were issued in Lancashire, the number of which was probably
increased by its vicinity to the seat of war. On the 6th April, 10 Edward I. (1282), as appears by
the Parliamentary writs,= William le Boteler, described as " de Werington," was summoned to
meet the king at Worcester, prepared with horse and arms, to march against the Welsh rebels ;
and on the 26th of May following a writ was sent to the sheriff, reciting an ordinance in council,
whereby every person holding land or rents of the value of £30 a year was required to provide
himself with a horse and suitable armour, and to join the king's forces against the Welsh, and even
persons unfit for military service were required to find and equip substitutes. On the 30th of
July, in the same year, a docket of commission issued from Rhuddllan, commanding all bailiffs and
others in the county of Lancaster to aid and assist William le Boteler, de Werenton, in raising or
pressing a thousand strong and able men {ad eligendos viille hoviines fortes et potentesf to serve in
the Welsh wars, from which it would appear that the obnoxious practice of impressing men into
the navy in latter times extended then to the army. The contest with Wales was now at its
crisis. On the 24th of November, a writ was addressed to the sheriff of Lancashire, requiring him
to send all men capable of bearing arms to march against the Welsh ; and Edmund, Earl of Lan-
caster, was required to furnish from his lands in Lancashire 200 soldiers. Early in the following
year another levy was called for ; and the earl, on the summons of the king, was required to repair
with horse and arms to Montgomery. A similar summons to arms was also addressed to Roger de
Lancastre ; and to supply the necessary ways and means for this vast expenditure of the govern-
ment, a commission was issued, constituting Henry de Newark and others collectors of the previous
levy. The skill and perseverance of Edward, seconded by the zeal and constancy of his subjects,
at length reduced the Welsh nation to the greatest extremities. Llewellyn, finding all his
resources exhausted, his country almost depopulated by the length and severity of the contest,
and famine rapidly completing the destruction which the sword had commenced, was obliged to
submit to the conqueror ; and the ancient Cambrians, after having for 800 years maintained their
national independence, passed under the English yoke. The title of " Prince of Wales " was
shortly afterwards conferred, for the first time, on a " foreign prince," and the eldest son of the
sovereign of England has ever since that period borne this designation.
The wars of the Crusades, in which England took so large a share, had served to dram the
treasury, and the cost of these holy contests seemed especially to belong to the Church. ■ Pope
Nicholas IV to whom, as claiming to be the feudal lord of the church, and to whose predecessors
the firstfruits and tenths of English benefices, though not generally acquiesced m, had m several
dioceses for a long time been paid, granted to King Edward I. the tenth of these benefices for
six years towards defraying the expenses of the Crusades. In order to ascertam the full value oi
the livings, a taxation by the king's precept, usually called " Pope Nicholas's Valor, ' was begun
in 1288 Ind completed in the province of Canterbury in 1291, and m the provmceof York m
the following year, under the direction of the Bishops of Winchester and Lincoln. Ihis valuable
and curious document is still preserved ; and its contents, so far as regards the county_ oi
Lancaster, will be introduced in that department of our work which relates to the ecclesiastical
history of the county How far this exhibition of the wealth of the Church of England influenced
the mind of the king it is impossible now to ascertain ; but in this reign the celebrated Statute
> By the statute of winton (Winchester), passed 13 Edward I (1285) ^^^ 1,,f lf| P^P^J-^^f^iytCe^oa^sf^^^^^^^^
it is, amongst a number of other important enactments provide^ that pyf '''. '° ^"f vear sometimes called the " Norwich Taxation," that
eve:^ hun&ed shall be answerable for the robberies and other offences ^^Jf^f^^^l^U^^J^r^^' the claim was first submitted to, and
""?jS^a^e'Srfw^riS!'pf 222, 223i.-C, sometimes "Pope Innocent's Valor.-_C.
■"■ Idem, p. 223.— C,
108
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE, chap. vn.
of Mortmain was passed, by wliich the clergy were prevented by law from making new acciuisitions
of land for the use of the church without inquiry before the Escheator and a licence in
mortmain' being first obtained. _ i • u -^ i.
The conquest of Wales left the king with an impoverished exchequer, and to replenish it he
had recourse to the practice of issuing quo warrantoa, a kind of writ, so named from the first two
words These writs which were issued in 1292, appear to have been sown broadcast, lor no less
than fiftv-ei<^ht of them were despatched into Lancashire, and took more than a month at Lancaster
to'trv the obiect beino' to reap a harvest of fines from such as had usurped any franchise or had
inadvertently exceeded powers of the charters they held. This county had scarcely recovered
from the drain made upon its blood and treasure by the war with the neighbouring principality of
Wales when it was called upon, in common with the other parts of England, to engage in another
contest still more formidable, against the combined power of Scotland and France. The causes of
these lono- and sanguinary wars it is not the province of this history to investigate. On the break-
ino- out of the war m 1293, writs of military service were issued to the sheriffs, announcing that the
kino- was about to set out for Gascony, to protect his inheritance from the King of France ; and all
the°kni<xhts, abbots, and priors, holding in chief by military tenure, or serieanty, were required
to meet'the king at Portsmouth, to embark in this expedition. In the same year, letters-patent
were sent to the knights and freeholders in Lancashire, announcing that collectors were appointed
of the tenths in aid of the war ; writs were issued in the early part of the following year, to sixty-
eio-ht persons about to embark with Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, to Gascony, exempting their
o-oods from the payment of this impost ; and, as a matter of precaution, orders from the king were
fssued to the sheriff of Lancashire, reciting that, through some religious foreigners, as Avell Normans
as others, residing in this kingdom, and dwelling on the sea-coast, not a little danger had arisen
to the safety of the state. He was therefore commanded to cause such persons to remove to the
interior without delay, and to give up their places to religious English. The sheriffs were also
commanded further to draw to land all their ships and boats, wherever they might find them, in
the sea or any other water, and to cause all their furniture and cargoes to be wholly removed, so
that the vessels might be of no use.
The commissioners for assessing and collecting the tenth and the seventh in 1296 were, "Magr
Rich, de Hoghton, clerk," and " Rad. de Mansfield, clerk;" and that the returns might be duly
made. Rich, "de Hoghton and John Gentyl were earnestly required to appear in their proper
persons before the treasurer and the barons of the exchequer, on the octave of the feast of St.
Nicholas ensuing, to do and execute those matters which should be more fully explained to them ;
and this they were to do as they regarded the king's honour, and their own loss of all things, both
lands and tenements, goods and chattels, and as they would avoid the king's perpetual wrath.^ The
exactions of the king to carry on the war became burdensome in the extreme ; the first peers of
the realm murmured against his demands upon their purse, and upon their personal services f
and to such an excess di"d their altercations arise, that the king, in requiring the reluctant services
in Flanders of his constable Humphrey Bohun, Earl of Hereford, and one of the founders of the
duchy possessions, and Roger Bigod, Earl of Norfolk, turned to the latter and exclaimed — " Sir
,earl, by God you shall either go, or hang ! " and was answered by the earl with equal determina-
tion — "By God, sir king, I will neither go, nor hang!"* The clergy were not more disposed to
acquiesce in the arbitrary exactions of the king and his ministers, than the laity ; in consequence
of which, numbers of them were put out of the protection of the law ; but in order at once to
stimulate their loyalty, and inflame their fears, writs were issued to John de Lancastre, and to the
sheriffs, empowering them to appoint commissioners to reverse the recognisances of such of the
clergy as wished to receive the king's protection, and to arrest and imprison all those who had
promulgated excommunications and ecclesiastical censures against his ministers.
At this early period of our history newspapers were unknown, but in the 25 Edward I. (1297)
^ The common law of England attached certain conditions as in- for the intending grantor to cause a writ ad quod damnitm to be issued to
separable from the holding of land, such a thing as irresponsible being the Escheator of the county wherein the land lay, when a jury of twelve
absolutely unknown, and, in fact, repugnant to the spirit of the English good and "law-worth" men was summoned to inquire if the proposed
law, which, until comparatively recent times, never recognised a right grant or alienation would be to anyone's injury, or impose any burden
without the accompanying responsibility and obligation. To the posses- upon the country ; and if they found that no harm would arise, and that
eion of all landed property was attached the triple condition — the sufficient land would still remain in the hands of the intending donor or
trinoda necessrltm, as it was called — viz., military service, works for the grantor to insure the discharge of his obligations, the grant would not be
defence of the realm, and the maintenance of highways and bridges. It against the law, and a licence for alienation would thereupon issue, and
was held that these obligations could only be discharged by the living all licences in mortmain so obtained were recorded on the Patent Rolls,
luLwl of a man, and hence land alienated to a corporate body, or to an being matters that concenied the whole State.
ecclesiastic unable to discharge the obligations or services due, was said " Rot. Glaus. 24 Ed. I. m. 3. d. Dated Bury St. Edmunds, 15th
to be alienated to what was, in effect, a dead hand {inort viain). The law November, 129G.
having been evaded and grants of land having frequently been secretly ^ Their feudal tenures did not bind them to foreign service, and their
made to such "dead hands," it became necessary, in the interests of the protest against the war and the financial measures by wliich it was
State, to set forth in a declaratory enactment (1279) the conditions carried on, took the pi-actical form of a refusal to follow him in his
attaching to the holding of land, and the forfeitures that might follow expedition,— 0.
on such alienation without licence in mortmain first obtained from the * Rymer's Fcedera, vol. ii., p, 783.
chief lord of the fee. To obtain this, it was necessary in the first instance
CHAP. vii. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
109
i?l^ fA S ? ^.^^^^^^^^ to John de Lancastre, sheriff of the county, announcing that his
Majesty had learnt, that newsmongers ('trovenrs de novelles," as they are called) were going abou
the country, sowing discord amongst the prelates, earls, and barons: as well as others of h'!s sub-
jects, endeavouring thereby to disturb the public peace, and to subvert the good order of the
realm ; which said offences the sheriffs were required to inquire into, and to ta& order for bring-
ing the delinquents to justice. From enemies the Welsh had been converted into allies- and
while the king was engaged m the French war an army from Wales was appointed to march
against the Scots to carry hostilities into their country. That no interruption might be given
to that force letters were addressed by the king to the sheriffs of Lancashire and Yorkshire
as well as to those of Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire, directing them, at their peril, to take care
that all bakers and brewers should have a sufficient supply of bread and beer in the towns throu^^h
which the Welsh army had to pass, on their march " against the Scottish rebels." In the course
of this year, no fewer than three rates were imposed : the first, of an eighth ; the second, of a fifth •
and the third, of a ninth of the movables of the subject; and Robt. de Hoyland, Allan le Norreys'
John Gentyl, and Hugh de Clyderhou, with the sheriff of the county, were appointed assessors and
collectors lor the county of Lancaster.^ To reconcile the people to these accumulated impositions
*^^.*2 'issuage the popular discontent, letters were addressed to the sheriff of Lancashire and the
shentis ot_ the other counties, directing them to take means for the redress of public orievances
the most intolerable of which probably was that of excessive taxation. ^
At this time the resources of the government were principally derived from the landed
possessions of the people ; but commerce and manufactures, to which in future ages the state was
to stand so much mdebted for its supplies, now began to dawn upon the country, and the estab-
lishment of the famous commercial society of "Merchant Adventurers" (in 1216), with the partial
introduction of the staple manufacture of woollens, both in the west and in the north of England,
laid the foundation of those mighty resources which in modern days distinguish the county of
Lancaster from all other districts of the world.
In the time of the Edwards of the Plantagenet line the population of Lancashire must have
been very considerable, for in this year the commissioners of array, in their precepts to Will, de
Ormesby, the king's justiciary, directed that a levy of three thousand foot soldiers should be raised
in Lancashire, and sent to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, by the feast of St. Nicholas, to be placed under
the command of Rob*, de Clifford, warder of the Scotch marches, adjoining to Cumberland. The
following year a writ was directed to John de Warren, Earl of Surrey, directing him to march
forthwith to Scotland, at the head of the troops raised in Lancashire and in the neighbouring
counties.
The war with France having been brought to an end by the mediation of his Holiness the
Pope, and the peace consummated by a double marriage, that of Edward himself with Margaret,
the sister of Philip, King of France, and that of the Prince of Wales with Isabella, the daughter of
the same monarch, the king was left at liberty to turn his undivided attention to the conquest of
Scotland ; and for the purpose of infusing fresh vigour into the operations against that country,
Edward determined to place himself at the head of the English army. No fewer than three succes-
sive writs of military summons were issued during the year 1296 to the authorities of the county
of Lancaster ; the first to the sheriff, the second to Thomas, Earl of Lancastre, and the third to
Henry, Baron de Lancastre, calling upon the levies to meet the king at Carlisle, and appointing
Robt. de Clifford the king's commandant (" cheventain ") of Lancashire, Cumberland, and West-
morland. The spirit of Scotland sank under the mighty array that was proceeding against that
country, headed by a monarch accustomed to conquer. Robert Bruce, father and son, along with
several other nobles, made their submission to Edward ; but John Baliol, the king, assembled the
flower of the Scotch nobility, together with a large portion of the military force of the kingdom,
hoping by one mighty effort to expel the invaders and to liberate their country. For this purpose
they made a general and simultaneous attack upon the English, under John Warrenne, Earl of
Surrey, who were at that time besieging Dunbar with a force of twelve thousand men. Undis-
mayed by superior numbers, the English general advanced to receive them, and a sanguinary
battle ensued, which issued in the total defeat of the Scotch army with a loss of twenty thousand
men. One of the first consequences of this victory was the surrender of Dunbar, April 29th, 1296,
when Sir Patrick Graham and ten thousand men were slain ; Roxburgh, Edinburgh, and Stirling
opened their gates, and the other fortresses of Scotland soon followed the example. Baliol, the
king, despairing of his country's cause, resigned his crown into the hands of the English monarch,^
^ Rot. Pari. 25 Edward I. p. 2, m. holding a white rod in his hand, resigned, witli his crown and sceptre,
^•Fordun, the Scottish historian, describes the ceremony as one in all the right he had, or mi*ht have, in the Icingdom of Scotland, into the
which the humiliated monarch, pulling o£E his royal ornaments, and hands of the king of England.— C.
110 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. vii.
who, on his return from Scotland, conveyed with him the ancient stone of inauguration,' which had
for so many ages been deposited at Scone, and to which tradition attached the belief, that wherever
that stone was placed the monarch in possession of it would govern Scotland.
Though subdued, the spirit of the Scotch nation was not wholly broken. The severity of the
English justiciary Ormesby, and the exactions of the treasurer Cressingham, rendered the yoke of
the conqueror intolerable; and William Wallace, the descendant of an ancient family, whose
valour and skill will be remembered through all time in Scotch history, reanimated the spirits and
rallied the forces of his country. The English army under Warrenne, who had been made regent
of the subjected kingdom, consisting of forty thousand men, having obtained a victory at Annan-
dale, pushed forward to Stirling, where they were encountered by Wallace on the banks of the
Forth, September 10th, 1297, and the greatest part of their number was pushed into the river at
the edge of the sword. After this signal victory, Wallace, in his turn, became the invader, and
the north of England, as far as the borders of the county of Lancaster, was laid waste with fire and
sword. In December, writs of military summons were issued, requiring the tenants of the crown
to attend the muster at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, to perform military service against the Scots. The
king, on receiving the disastrous news in Flanders, hastened back to England, and having placed
himself at the head of one hundred thousand men, of which Lancashire furnished its full comple-
ment, he chased the invaders into Scotland, and inflicted upon them a signal overthrow at Falkirk,
July, 1298. Wallace, aided by the son of Robert Bruce, still kept the field, and, by a kind of
predatory warfare, rendered the conquest of Scotland anything but secure.
No cessation was allowed to the efforts, military and pecuniary, of the inhabitants of the north
of England; for, in the two following years, 1298-9, eight writs of military service were issued,
appertaining to the county of Lancaster. The first directed the sheriff to proclaim the prorogation
of the general military summ.ons of the 26th September preceding ; the second was a writ of
military summons to Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, requiring him to appear at York on the morrow
of St. Martin (Nov. 12) ; the third, addressed to the commissioners of array, ordering them to raise
two thousand foot soldiers in Lancashire, to meet at Newcastle-upon-Tyne on the eve of St.
Katharine (Nov. 24), to march against the Scots ; the fourth was a writ to the commissioners of
array, indicating the deteriorated^ state of the coinage, in which it was announced that if the
soldiers levied by the preceding commissions should be unwilling to march on account of the bad
money then current, or from the severity of the weather, the commissioners were to provide them
a premium in addition to their pay ; the fifth was a summons to Henry, Earl of Lancaster, to repair
to the army ; the sixth, a writ to Thomas de Banastre to raise two thousand infantry in Lancashh-e,
to meet the king at Berwick-upon-Tweed ; the seventh, a writ to the sheriff of Lancashire, directing
that all prelates and other priests, and all widows and other women holding of the kino', should
send substitutes to Carlisle ; and the eighth, a summons to Thomas, John, and Henry de Lancaster,
to meet the king, to proceed against the Scots.
In the following year (1300) commissions were addressed to the sheriff of Lancashire,
empowermg him to summon all persons holding lands or rents of the value of forty pounds per annum
and upwards, to meet the king at Carlisle ; and in the same year the commissioners of array called
by various writs upon Robert de Holand, Mathew de Redman, Allan Norreys, John Gentyl, and
Robert de Norreys, to raise in Lancashire, by separate levies, three thousand men, to meet the
kmg at Carlisle on the Nativity of St. John Baptist, and on the day after the Assumption. The
oppressive nature of these ancient conscriptions may be collected from the royal proclamations of
the same period by which Jehan de Seint Jehan (the king's commandant " cheventayne ") in all
matters relating to deeds of arms in Lancashire, etc., was empowered, along with the Earl de
Abingdon, to amerce those refractory persons who refused to perform services, either in defence of
the marches or to act against the Scots. These frequent summonses to attend the Idno- at places
distant and oftentimes far apart from each other must have been very harassing, at a time when
m Lancashire especially, the roads were bad, the rivers often without bridges, and the country in
many places almost inaccessible ; and it is probable the vassals to whom they were addressed not
unfrequently echoed Falstaff's queruUus complaint— " It were better to be eaten to death with
rust than scoured to death with perpetual motion."
_ The writs to the sheriff of Lancashire, in the two following years (1301 and 1302) relate prin-
cipally to the assessment and collection of the fifteenths, which both the clergy and the laity were
called upon to pay to the knights appointed to make the collections.
Jehan de Seint Jehan having been superseded in his command in Lancashire by John
Butterte, letters of credence were addressed to the inhabitants, clerical and laical, requiring them
OHAP. VII. THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE. HI
togije full faith, to the king's clerk, Ralph de Mounton, and to Richard le Brun, who were com-
missioned to declare to them certain weighty matters touching the safety of the country, not
explained in the letters of credence, but which, it appears, related to the king's determination to
undertake a fresh expedition against Scotland. One of the first consequences of this confidential
communication was a call upon the commissioners of array, William de Dacre, Henry de Kyo-heley,
and Robert de Hephale, requiring them to raise seven hundred men in Lancashire, and to send
them to Lancaster after the feast of the Invention of the Cross (May 3, 1303) ; and all prelates,
women, and others unfit to bear arms, but Avho were willing to pay the fine (twenty pounds for a
Imight's fee, and so on in proportion to their possessions), for the services done to the king in Scot-
land, were to appear before the treasurer at York on the morrow of the Ascension (May 17), or
otherwise by substitute, with horse and arms at Berwick. Aided by a large army, and a no less
powerful fleet, Edward marched victoriously through Scotland, and laid the country at his feet.
Amongst his trophies, the gallant William Wallace became his prisoner, and instead of obtaining
that respect to which he was entitled by his courage and patriotism, he was conveyed in chains to
London, where he was tried and executed as a traitor, August, 1305. The head of the great
patriot, crowned in mockery, with a circlet of oak leaves, as a king of outlaws, was placed upon
London Bridge. The execution had been determined on before the mock trial, and it Avas the
one blot on Edward's clemency.
The disorganisation of society produced by so much intestine war exhibited itself on every
hand. Crimes were greatly multiplied, and Peter de Badbate, Edmund Deyncourt, William de
Vavasour, John de Island, and Adam de Middleton were judges under a commission of Trailbaston
appointed to hear and determine all offences against the peace in the counties of Lancaster and
Westmorland, as well as in eight other counties. The numlDer of offenders rendered necessary the
utmost proraptitude in the administration of justice; and the proceedings of the judges, under
these commissions, are said to have been so summary as not to exceed the time in which their staff
of justice, or baston, could be trailed round the room.^
One formidable enemy still remained in Scotland — viz., Robert Bruce,^ the grandson of that
Robert who, in the time of Baliol, was a competitor for the crown. Animated by those principles
of resistance to foreign sway which had inspired the breasts of so many of his countrymen, this
arabitious young nobleman collected a strong army in Scotland, by means of which he was enabled
to expel a large portion of the English from that country, and to drive their principal army across
the borders. Edward, roused to desperation by this renewed revolt, when he considered his
conquest secure, determined to take signal vengeance upon the Scottish nation. On his march to
the north he took the route of Lancashire, and for some time fixed his head-quarters at Preston.
From this place the king addressed a letter to his Holiness the Pope, comriaining of the wrongs he
had sustained from the Archbishop of Canterbury, and claiming redress. The tidings of a new war
were communicated to John de Lancastre, by a writ, dated the 5th of April, 1306, which recites
that " Robertus de Brus," late Earl of Carrick, and his accomplices, have raised war against the
king, with the intention of usurping the kingdom of Scotland. To resist this aggression, Henry
de Percy was appointed commander-in-chief under the king, and John de Lancastre was required
to assist him with all the horses and arms in his power. At the same time two writs were addressed
to the sheriff of Lancaster: the first requiring him to make purveyance of corn, &c., for the
king's army, at the pubUc cost ; and the second a letter to the sheriff, archbishops, and other
prelates, as well as to women who owed military service, ordering them to send their substitutes to
Carlisle, in fifteen days from the Nativity of St. John Baptist (i.e., before 9th July), or to appear at
the exchequer and make fine for the same. In the midst of all this hostility tfie Scots and the
English were not indisposed to indulge in their ancient games of the jousts and the tournaments.
The indulgence in these pastimes was thought by the king to indicate a degree of levity and
famiHarity inconsistent with the relative situation of the two countries ; and hence two proclama-
tions were addressed to the sheriff of Lancashire, requiring him to announce that any persons who
should engage in these sports until the Scottish war Avas terminated Avould be liable to arrest, and
that their lands and goods would be seized into the king's hands. From Preston the king marched
at the head of one of the most poAverful armies ever seen in Lancashire, to Carlisle, and from thence
into Scotland. The final conflict now approached. Bruce met the English army at Methven, in
' According to Sir Edward Coke, tlio judges of trailbaston were a by means of which inquisitions some were punished with death, many
sort of Justices in Eyre ; and it is said they had a baston or staff deli- by ransom, and the rest flying the realm, the land was quieted, and the
vered to them as a badge of their office ; so that whoever was brought king gained riches towards the support of his wars. (Mat. Westm. anno
before them was traili ad haston, traditus ad baculum ; Whereupon they 1305.) A commission of trailliastm was granted to Koger de Way ana
had the name of iustices de traU baston, or justiciarii ad tradendum offen- others his associates, in the reign of King Edward Ul.—kpctm.
denies ad baculum vel baston. Their otBce was to make inquisition ' Robert Bruce, the idol of the Scottish people, was the grandson ot
through the kingdom on all officers and others touching extortion, Bobert le Brus, lord of Annandale, by IsaheUa, younger sister and coheir
bribery, and such like grievances ; of intruders into other men's lands, of John Scott, last Norman Earl of Chester. John Baliol was grandson
harrotors, robbers, and breakers of the peace, and divers other offenders; of Margaret, eldest slater of John Scott. -^0.
112 THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. vii.
Perthshire, where a general engagement took place, which ended in the entire overthrow and
dispersion of the Scots. A number of the most distinguished men in the country were taken by
the Eno-lish, and executed by order of Edward as traitors ; but Robert Bruce escaped with his life,
and to(?k shelter, along with a few of his followers, in the Western Isles. To complete the conquest
of Scotland, Robert de Lathum, Nicholas de Leyburn, Will. Gentill, Alan le Norreys, and John de
Kirkeby, clerk, commissioners of array for the county of Lancaster, were ordered to levy one
thousand foot soldiers in this county, one hundred and fifty of them from the liberty of Blackburn-
shire, and the remainder from the other parts of the county. This force, when collected, was
ordered to advance in pursuit of Robert de Brus, into the marches of Scotland, where he was
lurking. But in the meantime the king, in the midst of all his glory, was seized with a mortal
sickness at Carlisle, and died at Burgh-on-the-Sands, July 7th, 1307.'
One of the legacies left by Edward I. to his successor was the recently-subdued kingdom of
Scotland ; and amongst the first acts of the new monarch we find writs of military service (1307-8)
addressed to the sheriffs of the counties of Lancaster, Westmorland, Cumberland, and Northumber-
land, as well within their franchise as without, commanding them to assist the custos, John of
Brittany, Earl of Richmond, the king's lieutenant in Scotland, with horses and arms, for the purpose
of resisting the malice and insolence of " Robertus de Brus," and his accomplices._ Summonses of
a still more urgent nature were addressed in the following year (1308-9) to " Willielmus de Acre,"
"Mattheus de Redeman," and the sheriff of the county of Lancaster, urging them to assemble
together, with the men of the county, as well horse as foot, and to take order for the defence of the
Scotch marches, under the command of " Gilbertus de Clare," Earl of Gloucester and Hereford.
The pay of the forces was made with so much irregularity as to disincline the conscripts to
the service; but in 1310 a commission of array was addressed to "Robertus de Leyburne" and
" Mattheus de Redman," along with the sheriff" of the county, ordering that three hundred foot
soldiers should be " elected," to muster on the feast of the Nativity of the Virgin at Berwick-upon-
Tweed, and from thence to march against the Scots ; their wages to be paid to them by the sheriff,
from the day that they marched from the county of Lancaster until their arrival at the place of
muster.
The war with the Scots, so long protracted, was now drawing to a crisis. Edward II. had
placed himself at the head of the English army, and the commissioners of array called upon the
inhabitants of Lancashire for a fresh levy of five hundred men, while Yorkshire was required to
contribute four thousand, Derbyshire one thousand, Nottinghamshire one thousand, Northumber-
land two thousand five hundred, and the other counties in a similar proportion, regulated, no
doubt, in some degree, by their wealth and population. After due preparation, the two armies met
at Bannockburn (June 25, 1314). At first the event of the conquest seemed dubious, but the
English having got involved amongst a number of covered pits prepared by Bruce for their
reception, their forces fell into disorder ; and the disasters of years, suffered by the Scots during
the reign of the first Edward, Avere retrieved in a single day. The throne of Scotland was
re-established by this remarkable victory, Robert Bruce reaped the reward of his valour in the loyalty
and affection of his people, and Edward returned to London to coerce his refractory barons, who
appeared as little disposed to submit to his sway as were the people he had so lately left in the
north.
The harvest of 1314 was deficient, and the price of corn, in consequence, becoming excessive,
Parliament in ignorance of, or with a disregard of, ordinary economic laws, fixed a maximum rate
at which provisions should be sold. The succeeding year was still more disastrous, for, in addition
to the failure of crops, there was a murrain among cattle, and a general pestilence among the
starving people. The nobles expelled from their castles the hungry retainers for whom they were
unable to find food, and the country necessarily swarmed with vagrants and plunderers. While
the country was in this horrible condition of pestilence and famine, the Scots crossed the border,
harassed the northern towns, and plundered and destroyed wherever their power could reach,
neither leaders nor people in their depressed condition showing much disposition to resist. At the
same time a war was being carried on in Ireland between the English and the Scots. Edward, the
brother of Robert Bruce, who had become King of Scotland, had landed at Carrickfergus in 1315
with the intention, in concert with the native chiefs, of driving the English settlers out of the
island, and after several confiicts caused himself to be crowned King of Ireland, and reigned for a
time in Ulster. And, to add to the general state of anarchy and demoralisation, the Welsh formed
an alliance with the Irish, and rose in revolt in the Principality. The description given of the
state of the county of Lancaster, as well as of other parts of the country, at this period, in the
t» 'if ^ ™ eTidenoo of tho slowness with which the news of events the chancellor in London, and up to the 25th July ho continued to affix
iravelloa m tnglaud at that time, it may bo mentioned that a period of the great seal as usual to writs in the name of the monarch who was
oigciteen clays elapsed before tho intelligence of the king's death reached tlien nu more. (See CampbM's Lives of the Lord Chancellors, vi. i>. lS7).-0.
CHAP. VII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
113
were
were
royal proclamations, serves to show to what an extent insubordination and lawless outrage
earned. According to these documents, malefactors of all classes, as well knights as others wuie
accustomed to assemble unlawfully by day and by night, in large bodies, and to commit assaults
and even murders with impunity. To put an end to these excesses, commissioners were appointed
m Lancashire, under the designation of conservators of the peace ; and as a healing measure a
letter of credence was issued by the government to " Nigellus Owhanlam," chief of escheats
requiring him to obtain full faith for "Edmundus le Botiller," justiciar ; "Ricardus de Beresford "
chancellor; and "Magister Walterus de Jeslep," treasurer of Ireland, who were empowered to
explain to the principal inhabitants certain matters relating to the king and the kino-dom Similar
letters were also addressed to "Walterus de Lacy," "Hugo de Lacy," " Thomas' Botiller " and
others, whose mfliience was necessary to maintain the public peace, under the combined pressure
of war and ot famine, with both of which the county was at that time afflicted. The tide of invasion
seemed now about to pour from the north to the south, and, instead of the levies beino' raised to
march into Scotland, a commission was appointed, whereby " Johannes de Maubray " was empowered
to raise all the able-bodied men in Lancashire, between the ages of sixteen and sixty, for the pur-
pose of resisting the Scots, in case they should invade this kingdom. Shortly after the institution
of this commission, a command was issued to "Thomas," Earl of Lancastre, and to one hundred and
twenty-eight other individuals, usually considered barons, or tenants in capite, ordering them to
appear at Newcastle, prepared with horses and arms, to proceed against " Robertus de Brus." In
the same year (1316-17), a writ of summons was addressed to Thomas, Earl of Lancastre, and twelve
other barons, convening them to meet at Nottingham, to hold a colloquium, to deliberate upon
matters of state with the pope's legate.
The state of society in Lancashire at this juncture called loudly for the appointment and inter-
vention of conservators of the public peace. A species of civil war existed in the heart of the
county. Adam Banastre, of the house and family of Thomas Earl of Lancaster, in order to ingratiate
himself with the king, and to avert the consequences of his own crimes, invaded the lands of the
earl. Having erected the royal standard betAveen the Ribble and the Mersey, in opposition to his
feudal lord, he declared that the earl wished to control the king in the choice of his ministers,
which he disapproved ; and nvimbers of others, friends to high prerogative, embarked in his cause.
Having entered the earl's castles, they supplied themselves with money and arms, which had been
deposited there for the use of the soldiers who were appointed to march against the Scots. In this
way about eight hundred armed men were collected, when the earl, hearing of the hostile enter-
prise, immediately ordered his knights and vassals into the field. This force did not exceed six
hundred men ; but they marched without delay against the insurgents, and, having come up with
them in the neighbourhood of Preston, they divided themselves into two bodies. The force under
Banistre did not wait to be attacked, but fell furiously upon the first division of the earl's men,
which began to give way, when, the second division coming up, the fortune of the day was changed,
and Adam and his followers took to flight, many of them having been killed by wounds in their
back, received in their precipitate retreat. For some time De Banistre, their leader, concealed
himself in his barn ; but being closely beset by his enemies, and abandoning all hope of escape,
he took courage from despair, and boldly opposed himself to his foes, of whom he killed several,
and desperately wounded many others; at length, finding it impossible to take him alive, his
assailants slew him, and having cut off his head, presented it to the earl as a trophy.' According
to an ancient indictment, the battle between Adam de Banistre and his adherents and the
adherents of the Earl of Lancaster took place near Preston, in the valley of the Ribble ; and the
victors so far forgot their duty to their lord, and their allegiance to the king, that they entered
the hundred of Leyland, and robbed and despoiled various of the inhabitants of property to the
amount of five thousand pounds — an immense sum in the fourteenth century, when, as we have
seen, a bushel of wheat sold for ninepence, and the yearly value of good arable land did not exceed
sixpence per acre.
The necessities of the state still continued urgent, and a commission of array was issued, for
levying the following bodies of foot soldiers in the north : In Lancashire, 1,000 ; Cumberland, 1,000 ;
Northumberland, 2,000; Westmorland, 1,000; Yorkshire, 10,000— or for five counties, 15,000. To
support these enormous levies it became necessary to resort to extraordinary means, and writs were
addressed to the mayors of Lancaster, Preston, and Wigan, as well as to all the other principal
towns in the kingdom, soliciting them to send the king as much money as they could possibly
aiford, to carry on the ahnost interminable war with Scotland. This corporate contribution was
1 "Adam Banester, a Bachelar, of Lancastreshire (probably a cadet anno (1316) miles quidam Adam Banastre de oomitatii Lancastrite movit
of the house of Bank), movid Ryot againe Thomas of Lancastre, by crafte guerram contra Domiuum suum comitem^^ Lancastri» ; aed circa b.
of King Edwarde ; but he was taken, and behedid by the oommaunde- Martini idem Adam captus est et decollatus. {CaUeiianea, i., J4Si.)-i^.
ment of Thomas of Lancastre." (Leland's Calledanea, i., H6,) "Eodem
16
114 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. vii.
independent of the collection of the eighteenths, which was proceeding along with it contempo-
raneously ; for we find in the records a writ, addressed to the collectors and assessors of the rates,
directing them to stay the collection in Lancashire, as to those persons who had their property
destroyed from the invasion of the Scots, but specifically providing that they alone should be
exempted. The levy for the scutage, in respect of the general summons of the array against the
Scots, was also continued, and fixed at the rate of two marks (£1 6s. 8d.) for each shield or knight's
fee in Lancashire.
In the turbulent and disastrous reign of the second Edward, the invasion of the enemy from
without was aggravated by the wars of the barons directed against the royal favourites within the
kingdom. We have already seen, in that department of our history of Lancashire which relates to
its ancient barons, that Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, after having headed the barons against Piers
Gaveston, made a further attempt, by force of arms, to remove the De Spencers from the royal
councils. The earl, who is described as " a man bustling without vigour, and intriguing without
abilities," was of a turbulent disposition, and had taken upon him, without the king's consent, to
summon a large body of the nobles and others his retainers to meet him in a kind of little parlia-
ment, to take counsel for the redress of grievances. The meeting was appointed to be held at
Doncaster on the 29th November, 1321, but being in open defiance and usurpation of the king's
authority, a monition was issued on the 12th November previous, to the nobles and others, expressly
forbidding their attendance. In spite of the prohibition, the meeting was held, and the disaffected
had recourse to arms, with the result that a commission was issued (1321) to arrest and take
"Thomas," Earl of Lancaster, and ten others, his principal associates in rebellion; and a writ was
at the same time adressed by the Iving to the sheriffs of Nottingham and Derby, commanding
them to raise the "hue-and-cry" against the Earls of Lancaster and Hereford, and other rebels
their adherents, and to bring them to condign punishment. The Earl of Lancaster had entered
into an alliance Avith Robert Bruce by which the Scotch army was to enter England, but without
laying any claim to conquest. Edward, after taking Leeds Castle, in Kent, led his forces north-
wards; Lancaster retired into Yorkshire, in the expectation of being joined by his allies from
Scotland, but no army (3ame. Here he was encountered by a strong force under the governors of
York and Carlisle, and the fatal battle of Boroughbridge (1322) surrendered him and his followers
into the king's possession. The earl was conducted a prisoner to his own castle at Pontefract,
where but a short time before he had jeered at his king with bitter scorn as he passed on his
return from the siege of Berwick. He was adjudged guilty by the king without trial of his peers,
and on the 22nd March (1322) the hand of the executioner, with the delinquent's face turned to
Scotland, to indicate that he was in league with the Scotch rebels, terminated his career, without
allaying the general discontent.
Although it does not appear that the county of Lancaster was the actual scene of any of the
conflicts between the barons and the king's forces, yet levies of troops were called for in the county
to aid the earl's enterprise ; and, in a memorandum of the delivery of the prisoners confined in the
king's marshalsea, and in the castle of York, some of whom had been taken in arms against the
king, and others had surrendered at discretion, in all about two hundred principal men, it is
stated, that "Nicholas de Longford," of the county of Lancaster, was fined two hundred marks
(£133 6s. 8d.), and that " Ricardus de Pontefracte," "Robertus de Holand," "Johannes do Holand,"
and " Ricardus de Holand," found security for their good behaviour. There is also preserved an
ancientinquisition, taken at Wigan, of which the following is a copy, tending still further to show
that neither the laity nor the clergy of the county of Lancaster were indifferent spectators of the
contest by which the kingdom was at that time agitated : —
Rot. plac. coram \
fr Ed'"' rn-^^ii [ Inquisition taken before the king at Wigan, in the county of Lancaster,
p. 2. nT'iG.' \ ^^ ^^^ presence, and at his command.
West Debet. -The jurors of the Wapentake present that " Gilbertus de Sutheworth," 15 Ed. 11. [1321], sent two men-at-arms
at his own expense, to he p the Earl of Lancaster against the King -viz., "Johannes filius Roberti le Taillour de Wynequik," and
Ricardus de Plumptou, and that he also abetted many other persons in aiding the earl against the king. The said " Gilbertus,"
being in court, puts himself upon the country, and is acquitted by the jury
The Jurors present that ''Robertus de C'liderhou," parson of the church of Wygan, who for thirty years was a clerk of the
Chancery, and afterwards escheater "_crf7-a rrentom," has committed the following offences : That he sent two men-at-arms, well
armed-viz Adam de Cliderhou,'' his son and " Johannes ill. Johaunis de ICnoUe," to assist the Earl of Lancaster against the king,
and with them four able-bodied foot soldiers, armed with swords, daggers, bows, and arrows. That on a certain high festival he
preached to his parishioners and others, m his church at Wygau, before all the people, telling them that they were the liege men of
the earl, and bound to assist him agamst king, the cause of the earl being just, and that of the king unjust. By means of which
harangues maay persons were incited to turn against the king, who otherwise would not have done so. And the said " Robertus,"
being present in court, and arraigned, says, that on a certain feast-day, when preaching in his church, he exhorted his parishioners
to pray for the king, and for the peace of the kingdom, and for the earls and barons of the land ; and he denies sending any men-
at-arms or foot soldiers ; and he puts himself upon the country-he is found guilty by the jury of the offences charged in the
CHAP. VII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 115
indictment— and is committed to prison. Afterwards, thirteen manucaptors undertake to produce him on Monday after the
Octaves of St. Martin, under the penalty of 1,000 marks, and they also undertake to answer tor any Hue, &o. On which day the
said " Robertus" appeaa-s in court, and submits to a fine of £200.
Though a truce had been concluded between England and Scotland, the Avar was continued
with little intermission ; and in a commission for raising fresh levies in this and the other counties
(1322), it is said, that, after the conclusion of the truce, the Scots had invaded the kingdom, and
that Thomas, late Earl of Lancaster, and his adherents (" whose malice was now quelled "), had
entered into treasonable conspiracy with them. The commissioners of array for the county of
Lancaster, under the commission, were, "Richard de Hoghton," "Johan Travers," and "Thomas
de Lathum,"_to whom the duty was confided of arming the forces of the county and marching them
to their destination.
The disorders of the times had filled the prisons of Lancashire with inmates, and writs were
addressed from Kirkham to the constables of the castles of Liverpool, Hornby, and Clitheroe (but
not of Lancaster), directing them to keep the prisoners in their respective castles in safe custody.
At the same time a commission was issued, under the royal seal, whereby Johannes de Weston, jun.,
marshal of the household, was empowered to pursue, arrest, and take " Willielmus de Bradshagh'
and " Ricardus de Holland," the leaders of disorderly bodies of armed men, who committed great
depredations in the county of Lancaster. This Willielmus de Bradshagh soon after appears to
have been restored to the royal favour ; for in the following year we find a writ addressed to him,
stating that the king has ordained that " Johan," Earl of Warrenne, and others, shall proceed to
Lancashire with an armed force, for its protection (against the Scotch invaders, no doubt), and that
" Bradshagh " shall be one of the commissioners of public protection. The return of the sheriff to
a writ issued for that purpose, serves to show that the great landed proprietors were, at the early
part of the fourteenth century, very few in number. It is as follows: " In Lancashire 13 knights
and 51 men-at-arms. All the above hold lands to the amount of £15 per annum." According to
a presentment made in the hundred of West Derby, it would appear that the sheriffs, in those
days, were often remiss in their duty, and that "| Willielmus de Gentil," and " Henricus de Malton,"
his predecessor in oflSce, suffered certain notorious thieves to be set at liberty upon manucaption,
though their crimes were not mainpernable according to law ; and that, owing to the laxity of their
administration of the law, several persons in the wapentake avoided making presentment of other
notorious thieves, to the injury of the peace, and the danger of the property of their honest and
well-disposed neighbours. Nor was this all : they returned certain persons as jurors, and on
inquests, without giving them warning ; and " Gentil " so far presumed upon his office as to arro-
gate to himself the election of knights of the shire ; " whereas," as the instrument charging him
with these manifold delinquencies very properly observes, " they ought to have been elected by
the county."
The intrigues of the barons were still actively at work against the king and the royal
favourites, the De Spencers ; and Henry, Earl of Lancaster, the brother and heir of Earl Thomas,
entered into that conspiracy by which Edward was dethroned. The ill fortune of this weak
monarch having precipitated him from a throne to a prison, the Earl of Lancaster became his
gaoler in the castle of Kenilworth. The mildness and humanity of the earl's character ill suited
him for this office, which he was ordered by Mortimer, the gallant of the perfidious queen Isabella,
the " she-wolf of France," as she has been styled, to surrender into bhe hands of Sir John Maltravers
and Sir Thomas Gournay ; under whose direction, if not actually by their hands, the wretched
Edward, after having been exposed to every possible insult and privation, was thrown upon a bed,
and a red-hot iron having been forced into his bowels in a way to avoid all external evidence of
the cruel deed, he was consigned to death, under agonies so excruciating that his shrieks pro-
claimed the atrocious deed to all the guards of the castle (Sept. 21, 1327).
One of the first acts of Edward III. was to reverse the attainder of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster,
and to place his brother Henry in possession of the princely inheritance of that illustrious house.
But here we must pause, to take a survey of the landed property of the county of Lancaster,
and the tenures by which it was held in the early part of the fourteenth century, as deduced in
the "Testa de Nevill." Of this book it is said, in the records published by the Crown com-
missioners, that —
"In the king's remembrancer's office of the Court of Exchequer are preserved two ancient books, called the Testa de Nevill,
or Liber Feodorum,' which contain principally an account—
" ist. Of fees holden either immediately of the king or of others who held of the kmg m capite.
" 2nd. Of serjeanties holden of the king. ,
" 3rd. Of widows and heiresses of tenants in capite, whose marriages were left m the gitt ot the kmg.
' Thisdocument which is not strictly speaking a feodarum, but an inquisition, bears internal evidence of having been takcnabout the year 13-22,
andwi^p?obSbly the inquisition taken after thi death of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, wlio, as previously stated, wlis beheaded m that year. -o.
116
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. VII.
" 4th. Of churches in the gift of the king, and in whose hands they were.
" 5th. Of escheats, as well of the lands of Normans as others, in whose hands the same were.
" 6th. Of thanage, forestry, and other peculiar services and tenures. ii t t 4.1
" Tbe entries specifically entitled Testa de Nevill are evidently quotations, and form comparatively a very small part of the
whole. They have i^n all probability been copied from a roll bearing that name, a part of which is still extant m the chapter-house
at Westminster, consisting of five small membranes, containing ten counties, of which Lancashire is one The roll appears to be of
the age of Edward I., and these books to have been compiled near the close of the reign of Edward H^ or the commencement of
that of Edward III., partly from inquests on presentments, and partly from inquisitions on writs to shentis.
The following is a tolerably copious extract and analysis of the contents of the Testa de
NeYill, so far as relates to the county of Lancaster, which may answer any popular purpose. The
full entries are cited in the various local histories.
Matthew Haversage in Withington, Robt. de Lathum in Child-
1. Fees held in chief op the King, etc.
"Agnes de Clopwayt in Blothelay, Alex, de Kyrkeby, Orm de
Kelet, Henr. de Waleton, in Waleton, Adam Girard, Luke
P'oitus de Dereby, in Dereby, Adam de Helmelesdal in Crosseby,
Quenilda de Kirkdale, in Forneby, Robert Banastr, Robert de
Clyton, in Leyland Hundred. Alward de Aldholm in Vernet,
Hug. le Norrays, in Blakerode, Edwin Carpentar in Kadewalde-
sir. Rich, de Hilton, in Salford Hundred, Alan de Singleton, in
Blackburn Hundred, and Amoundernesse, Rich. Fitz Ralph in
Singleton, John de Oxeolive in Oxcumbe, Roger Carpentar in
Lancaster, Robert Scertune in Sutherton, Ra. Barun, John
Oxeclive in Oxeclive, Robert, the constable of Hofferton, in
Hofferton, Adam Fitz Gilemichel in Scline, Rog. Carpentar in
Lancaster, Bob. son of Roger de Shertnay, in Skerton, Rad.
Balrun in Balrun, W. Gardinar in Lancaster, Walter Smith in
Hefeld, Rog. Gemet in Halton, Wiman Gernet in Heschin,
Will. & Benedict, sons of Walter de Gersingham, in Gressingham,
Margery, widow of Barnard Fitz Barnard, in Gressingham.
" The Earl of Ferrars, in the wapentake of Derby (and he has
sub-tenants), Almaric Butler, who has the following sub-tenants
— Henry de Tyldesley in Tyldesley, Gilb. de Kulchet in Cul-
cheth, Alan de Rixton in Rixton and Astley, AVill. de Aderton
in Atlierton, Robt. de Mamelisbury in Sonky, Roger de Sonky in
Penketh, Earl de Ferrars in Hole Hulesale and Wyndul, Will,
de Waleton & Will, de Lydyathe in Lydiate & Hekergart, Rich.
Blundea in Hyms and Barton, Ad. de Molynous & Robt Fitz
Robt. in Thorinton ; the heir of Robert Banaster in Makerfeld,
Waleton, & Blakeburnshire, and has sub-tenants ; Will, de
Lanton and Rich, de Golborn in Langton, Keman & Herbury ;
the Earl of Lincoln (Randolph Earl of Chester) in Appleton and
Cronton, of the Earl Ferrars' fee ; of the same fee are, Will, de
Rerisbury in Sutton & Ecoleston, Robt. de Lathum in Knowsley,
Huyton, and Torbock, Ad. de Molyneus in Little Crossby, Robt.
de Rokeport, Rog. Gernet and Thom de Bethum in Kyrkeby,
Sim de Halsale in Maghul, Will, de Waleton in Kirkdale, Will, le
Koudre and the heir of Rob. de Meols, in North Meols, Thom.
de Bethum and Robt. de Stokeport in Raven Meols.
" Waren de Waleton in Waleton, Ric. Bauastre, Walt, de Hole,
Rio. de Thorp, Will, de Brexiu, Thom de Gerstan, Sim. del Pul
in Bretherton, Robt. de Cleyton in Clayton & Penwortham, the
abbot of Cokersand in Hoton, Robt. Ru.ssel in Langton, Leyland,
and Ecoleston, Robt. Banastre's heir in Shevington, Charnock,
and Welsh Whittle.
" John Punohardun in Little Mitton, Ad. de Blakeburn and
Roger de Arohis in WLsewall and Hapten, Henr. Gddleng in
Tunley, Caldcoats, & ' Sn. Odiswrth," [Snodiswrth], Ad. de
Preston in Extwistle, Ra. de Mitton in Altham, Mearley, and
Livesay, Robt. de Cestr' in Downham, John de Grigleston in
Kokerig, Will. Marshall in Little Mearley, Gilb. Fitz Henry in
Rushton, Hugo Fitun in Harewood, Thos. de Bethum in Warton,
Will. Deps' in Frees & Newton ; Ric. de Frekelton in Frekelton,
Quintinghay, Newton, & Ecoleston, Gilb. de Moels, Rog. de
Nettelag & Will, de Pul in Frekelton, Alan de Singilton and
I wan de Frekelton in Frekelton, Waren de Quitinghay & Robt.
de Rutton in Quitinghay, Alan de Singilton in Quitinghay,
Newton, & Elswiok, Warin dfe Wytingham in Elswick— The heir
of Theobald Walter in Wytheton & Trevele, John de Thornul,
Will, de Frees, Rog. de Notesage, Ad. de Bretekirke, Will, de
Kyrkeym, Robt. Fitz Thomas & Will. Fitz WilUam in Thistle-
don, Frees, & Greenhalgh. Will, de Merton in Marton ; Rog.
Gemet, Thos. de Bethum and Robt. Stokeport in Bustard Rising.
"Adam de Bury in Bury, Robt. de Midelton in Middleton,
Gilb. de Warton in Athertou, the heir of Rich. Hilton in Pendle-
ton ; Thomas de Gresley's tenants ; Gilbert Barton in Barton,
wall, Parbold, and Wrightington, Rich, le Pierpoint in Rum-
worth, Will, de Worthinton in Worthington, Rog. de Pilkinton
in Pilkington, Thos. le Grettley in Lindeshey, in the honor of
Lancaster.
" Will, de Lancaster in Ulverston, Matthew de Redeman and
Robt. de Kymers in Yeland, Lambert de Muleton in Routhe-
clive, Rog. Gernet in Little Farleton, Robt. de Stokeport in
Gt. Farlton, Ad. de Ecchston, Will, de Molineus, Hug. de
Mitton, Ric. de Katherale, Hen. de Longeford in Ecoleston,
Leyrebreck, and Catterall, Ad. de Werninton in Wennington,
Hug. de Morwyc in Farleton & Cansfield, Henr. de Melling in
Melling, Rich, de Bikerstat in Helmes & Stotfaldechage ; Adam
Fitz Richard in Bold cfc Lawerke, Rich. Fitz Martin in Ditton,
Rich. Fitz Thurstan in Thingwall, Thos. de Bethum in Bootle,
Rich, de Frequelton in Thorp, Rog. de Lacy, 5 knts. fees of the
fee of Clithero, Walter Fitz Osbert, Will, de Wynewyck, Peter
de Stalum, Elya de Hoton, the heir of Rog. de Hoton, Alan Fitz
Richard & John de Billesburgh, tenants of the king, but no
place mentioned ; Will, de Neville in Kaskenemor, Marferth de
Hulton in Pendleton, Roger de Midleton in Chetham, Edwin
Carpentar in Cadwalesate, Ada de Prestwych in Prestwych and
Failesworth, Hugh de Blakerode, by charter in Blakerode, Elias
de Penilbury in Pendlebury and Chadderton, Robt. de Clifton
in Clifton, Gospatric de Cherleton in Chorleton, Henry de
Chetham in Chetham, Will, de Bothelton, Gilbt. de Tonge in
Tonge, Randle Fitz Roger, Rich, de Edburgham, the Abbot of
Furuess in Furness, Ad. Fitz Orm in Middleton, Walt, de Paries
in Pulton, Will, de Hest in Middleton, the Prior of Lancaster in
Newton and Aldcliff, the Burgesses of Lane, in Lancaster, and
Nich. de Verdon in Kirkby.^
2. Serjeanties holdbn of the King.
"Orm de Kellet in Kellet, Rich, de Hulton, Wapentake of
Salford, Roger Carpentar iu Lancaster, Roger Gernet in Fisli-
wick, Lonesdale, & Wapent. of Derby, Alan de Singleton,
AVill. de Newton ; Ad. Fitz Orm in Kellet, Thos. Gernet in
Hesliam, John de Oxeclive in Oxoliffe, Robt. de Overton in
Overton, Rog. de Skerton, Rog. Blundus iu Lancaster, le
Gardiner in Lancaster, Rad. de Bollern in Bolrun, Thos. Fitz Ada
in Gersingham, AVill. & Benedict in Gersingham, Margery,
widow of Bernard Fitz Bernard ; AValter Underwater holds
Milnefiet. Ad. Fitz Richard iu Singleton, by serjeanty of
Amounderness, ' AVilloch' & 'Neuton' in Newton, Ad. de Kelleth,
son of Orm, in Kellet, Henr. de Waleton in AA''alton, Wavertree
and Newsham's, Edwin Carpentar in Cadwalslete, Hamo de Macy
and Hugo de Stottord in Scotforth, Rog. White & Gilbert Fitz
Matthew in Lancaster, AVill. Fitz Dolphin & AViU. Fitz Gilbert
in Gersingham. The places are not mentioned after the follow-
ing names : Henry Fitz Siward, Robt. de Middleton, Rich.
Fitz Henry, Gilbt. de Croft, Hugo de Croft, Robt. the reeve,
Adam de Relloc & Rog. Fitz John ; Roger Gernet in Halton,
Rog. le Clerk in Fishwick, Baldewin de Preston in Fishwick,
John Fitz John in Fishwick, Alaa and Rich, de la More in Fish-
wick, Rog. Fitz A'iman in Hesham, Thomas Gernet in Hesham,
John de Toroldesholm iu Torrisholme, Adam Gerold in Derby,
Ad. de Moldhall in Crosby, Robert de Curton in Querton, Rog.
de Assart in Fishwick, AViU. Wachet in Fishwick, AA^U. & Agnes
de Ferrars, Salford, Clayton, and Newshams, Gervas Fitz Simon
in Oxcliffe, Abbot of Cockersand in Bolrun, Brothers of St.
Leonard at York in Bolrun, the widow Christiana de Gereingham,
Robt. & Will, de Bolrun, the Prior of Lancaster, Will, le Gardiner
and Adam Gernet in Bolrun, Rog. Fitz AVilliam, AVill. Fitz
Thomas, AVill. & Matilda de Paries in Torrisholme.
'The "Testa de Nuvill" mentions several touants-in-ohief, whose lauds, though held of tho honor, are not iu the county of Lancaster, and
which are omitted here. ' < e
CHAP. VII.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
117
3. Widows and Hkieesses op Tenants in fAPiiE, whose
Marriages were in the gift of the King.i
" Alicia dr. of Galfr. de Gersingham, Christiana dr. of same
Alicia & Thomas de Gersingham, Lady Elewisa de Stutevill,
Oliva wid. of Rog. de Montbegon, Quenilda wid. Rich. Walens.
Margaret wid. Ad. de Gerstan, Waltania wid. Rich. Bold, Beatrix
de Milton, QuenUda wid. Rog. Garnet, Matilda de Thorneton,
Avicia wid. Henr. de Stotford, Avieia wid. Rog. de Midelton
Eugenia wid. Will, de Routhclive, Eva de Halt, Matilda dr!
Nicholas de Thoroldeholm, Alicia the wid. of Nicholas, Emma
the wid of Nicholas, Sarra de Bothelton, Alicia wid. Rich. Fitz
Robert, Cecilia wid. Turstan Banastr, Quenilda dr. Richd. Fitz
Roger, Matilda de Stokeport, Lady Ada de Furneys ; wid. of
Gamell de Boelton, Matilda de Kellet, Agnes de Hesham, wid.
of Hugo de Oxeclive, wid. Will. Gernet
6. Thanagb,^ Forestry,
and other peculiar Services and
Tenures.
' Thomas & Alicia de Gersingham, by keeping the king's
hawks in Lonsdale ; Luke, the constable of Derby, by being
constable and keeping the castle ; Adam de Hemelesdale, by
constabulary at Crosby ; Quenilda de Kirkdale, by conducting
royal treasure ; Richd. Fitz Ralph, by constabulary of Singleton ;
John de Oxeclive, by being carpenter in Lancaster castle ; Adam
Fitz Gilmighel, by being the king's carpenter ; Roger Carpentar,
by being carpenter in Lancaster castle ; Rad. Barun, by being
mason in Lancaster castle ; Rad. Balrun the same ; Wm. Gar-
dener, by finding pot-herbs and leeks for the castle ; Walter,
son of Walter Smith, by forging iron for carts ; Roger Gernet,
by being chief forester ; Willm. Gernet, by the service of meeting
the king on the borders of the counti-y with his horn and white
rod, and conducting him into and out of the county ; he holds
2 caruoates of land in Heskin ; Willm. & Benedict de Gersing-
ham, by forestry and by keeping an aery of hawks for the king ;
Gilbert Fitz Orm, by paying annually 3d., or some spurs to
Benedict Gernett, the heir of Roger de Heton, in thanage ; Heir
of Robt. Fitz Barnard, in thanage ; Rog. de Leycester, by paying
8s. & 2 arrows yearly ; Adam Fitz Rice & Alan Fitz Hagemund,
in drengage ; Richd. de Gerard, iu drengage ; Gillemuth de
Halitton, in drengage ; Adam de Glothie, Will, de Nevilla,
Reyner de Wambwalle, Gilbert de Notton, Rog. de Midelton,
Alex. D. Pikington, Will de Radeclive, Adam de Prestwich,
Elias de Penilbury, Will, and Rog. Fitz William, Henr. de
Chetham, Alured de Ives, Thomas de Burnul, Adam de Pember-
ton, Adam de RuUing, Gilbert de Croft, Gilbert de Kelleth,
Matilda de Kelleth, Thos. Gerneth, William de Hest, and William,
son of Rich, de Tatham, all in thanage ; John de Thoroklesholm,
by lardeuery : Rog. de Skerton, by provostry ; Robt. de Overton,
by provostry ; Rog. White and Edward Carpenter, by carpentry ;
Gilbert Fitz Matthew, by gardenery; Rad. de Bolran, by
masonry ; the burgesses of Lancaster, in free-burgage and by
royal charter; the prior and monks of Seaton, by royal charter ;
Thomas Fitz Adam, Will. Fitz Doldn, & WiUm. Fitz Gilbert,
by forestry ; Henr. de Waleton, by being head Serjeant or bailitl'
of the hundred of Derbyshire ; Galfr. Baliatrar', by presenting
two cross-bows to the king; the serjeanty of Hetham, which
Roger Fitz Vivian holds, by blowing the horn before the king
at his entrance and exit from the county of Lancaster ; Thomas
Gernet, in Hesham, by sounding the horn on meeting the king
on his arrival in those parts."
In addition to these peculiar services and tenures of the feudal times, many of ■which sound
strangely in modern ears, several religious houses are enumerated which held in pure frank alms ;
and a still larger number of persons who held by donation, in consideration of annual rents, as will
be seen on reference to the " Testa de Nevill."
i. Churches in the Gift of the King, etc.
" Lancaster ; Earl Roger de Poiotou gave it to the Abbot of Sees.
" Preston ; King John gave it to Peter Rossinol, who died, and
the present King Henry gave it to Henry nephew of the
Bishop of Winton. Worth 50 marks per an.
"St. Michael upon Wyre ; the son of Count de Salvata had it
by gift of the present King, and he says, that he is elected
into a bishoprick, and that the church is vacant, and worth
30 marks per an.
" Kyrkeham ; Iving John gave 2 parts of it to Simon Blundon,
on account of his custody of the son and heir of Theobold
Walter. Worth 80 marks.
5. Escheats of the Lands op Normans and others.
" Merton, Aston, ' Henry de Nesketou holds of the king's
escheats m the counties of Warwick & Leicester, Nottingham
and Derby, Lancashire, Cumberland, Westmorland, and
Northumberland.' Fourteen bovates of land in Haskesmores,
which Willm. de Nevill held as escheats of our lord the king.
" Hugo le Norreys holds a carucate of land in Blnkerode, which
is au escheat of the king, to whom he pays a yearly rent of 20s.
_ ' If the landholder left only daughters, the king had the profits of
relief and wardship ; and had also, if they were under the age of fourteen,
the right of disposing of them in marriage. This power was said to be
vested in the king in order to prevent the heiresses that were his tenants
from marrying persons that were of doubtful affection to him, or that
were incapable and unfit to do the services belonging to the land. He
had also a power of disposing of his male wards in marriage, whose
parents had died when they were under twenty-one, though without
such good resons for it. I5ut this power of disposing of wards of either
sex iu marriage, as well as the right of wardships, was afterwards very
much abused, and was therefore taken away by the statute of 12 Car. II.
(ItieO), together with the tenure itself by military, or (as it was usually
called) knight's service.
-_ Thanage Service. — Thane, from the Saxon thenian, ministro^re, was
the title of those who attended the Saxon kings in their courts, and who
held their lands immediately of those kings ; and therefore they were
promiscuously called tkani et servientes regis, though, not long after the
Conquest, the word was disused ; and instead thereof, those men were
called Barones Regis, who, as to their dignity, were inferior to earls, and
took place after bishops, abbots, barons, and knights. There were also
tluini mhiores, and these were likewise called barons : these were lords of
manors, who had a particular jurisdiction within their limits, and over
their own tenants in their own courts, which to this day are called Courts
Baron : but the word signifies sometimes a nobleman, sometimes a free-
man, sometimes a magistrate, but more properly an officer or minister of
the king. " Edward King grete mine Biscops, and mine Earles, and all
mine Thynes, on that shiren, wher mine Prestes m Paulus Minister
habband land." (Chart. Edw. Conf. Pat. IS H. VI. m. 9, per Iiispeet.) In
an Anglo-Saxon writ of William the First, quoted by Spelman from an
Abbotsbury MS. , the term Tliegetia occurs in the same sense. In thanage
of the king signified a certain part of the king's lands and property,
whereof the ruler or governor was called thane. iCmeelt.) In the early
periods of the history of this country, the payments of the thanes were
made regularly into the public treasury by the sheriffs, distinctly in tJie
name of this class ; hence we find that in 13 Henry III- (1229), the thanes
of the county of Lancaster, through the sheriff, paid a composition of
fifty marks (£33 6s. 8d.), to be excused from the tailliage or assessment
which the king, in the exercise of his absolute authority, had imposed
upon his people. {Mag. Rot. 13 Hen. III. titv.lo Lancaster.) The same
sheriff (Wm. de Vesci) rendered an account of fourscore and sixteen
pounds (£96) of the gift of the knights and thanes. {Mag. Rot. 5 Hen. 11.
Rot. 2, b. Tit. Northumberland. Nova Placita tO Novee Conrenttones.) In 3
John (I2DI) the " Theigni and fermarii" of the honor of Lancaster had
a composition of fifty marks to be exonerated from crossing the sea.
{Mag. Rot. 3 John, Rot. 20, a.)
m
CHAPTER yill.
Representative History of tlie County of Lancaster-First Members for the County of Lancaster, and for its Boroughs— First
Parliamentary Return and first Parliamentary Writ of Summons for Lancashire extant— Members returned for the County
of Lancaster in the Reigns of Edward I. to Edward IV.— Returns, formerly supposed to be lost, from Edward IV. to Henry
VIII.— County Members from 1 Edward VL to 50 Victoria— The ancient Lancashire Boroughs, consisting of Lancaster,
Preston, Liverpool, and Wigau, resume the Elective Franchise, 1 Edward VI.— Newton and Clitheroe added to the Boroughs
of Lancashire— Representation of Lancashire during the Commonwealth— List of Knights of the Shire for the County of
Lancaster, from the Restoration to the Present Time— Alterations made in the Representation of the County and Boroughs
of Lancashire by the Reform Acts of 1832, 1867, and 1885— a.d. 1295 to 1886.
]E have now arrived at that period when the representative system began to
prevail in the English Parliament, and when this county, by its freeholders and
burgesses, obtained the privilege of returning members to the senate, charged
with the duty of making known the public will in that assembly, in order to
promote the interest of the great community for which it legislates. None of
the English counties presents a more interesting representative history than the
county of Lancaster; and yet this subject has hitherto been either entirely
neglected, or has been treated in so vague and desultory a manner as to have
neither uniformity nor connection. To supply this deficiency much labour has been required in
examining and collating the public records ; but that labour has been amply rewarded by the mass
of facts which these documents contain, from the fountain-head of authentic information.
So early as the Saxon heptarchy a species of Parliament existed, as we have already seen,
under the designation of the Witena-Gemot, or " Council of Wise Men," by whom the laws were
enacted. This assembly consisted of the comites or earls, the hereditary representatives of counties,
assisted by the prelates and abbots, and the tenants in caioite of the crown by knight's service.
The disposition of such an assembly would naturally incline them to sanction the edicts of the
sovereign ; and it is highly probable that his will generally served as their law. After the Con-
quest, the first William and his immediate descendants called to their ' ' great council " the Norman
barons and the dignified clergy, with the military tenants. This CouncU, or " King's Court," as it
was called (the term parliament not having then come into use),' assembled three times in the
year — namely, at Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide. The barons and other tenants-in-chief of
the king, enumerated in Domesday Book, amount to about seven hundred. These persons pos-
sessed all the land of England in baronies, except that part which the king reserved in his own
hands, and which was called " Terra Regis," and has since been called the " ancient demesne " of
the crown. These tenants-in-chief, per baroniam, as well the few who held in socage as those who
held by military service, composed the great council, or Parliament, in those times, and were sum-
moned by the king, though they had a right to attend without summons. In the main the consti-
tution of Parliament, as it now stands, was marked out so long ago as 17 John (liilo), in the
great charter granted by that sovereign, wherein he promises to summon all archbishops, bishops,
abbots, earls, and great barons personally, and all other tenants-in-chief under the crown by tne
sheriffs and bailiffs, to meet at a certain place, with forty days' notice, to assess aids and scutages
when necessary; and this constitution has subsisted, in fact, at least from 49 Henry III., there
being still extant writs of that date to summon knights, citizens, and burgesses to Parliament. The
landowners of the second, third, and other inferior classes, being all tenants, or vassals, of this
upper class of landholders, though by free and honourable tenures, similar to those by which their
lords themselves held of the king, were bound by the decisions of their superior lords. The landed
interest was for a long time alone represented in the national councils, there being no representa-
tives, either of the cities or boroughs, or of the trading interest, Avhich were considered too insigni-
ficant to be represented in the great council.^ The representation of such places was an innovation
^ Professor (now Bishop) Stubbs remarks that "the name given to
the sessions of council (under the early Norman kings) was often ex-
pressed by the Latin coUoquiyjii ; and it is by no means unlikely that
the name of Parliament, which is used as early as 1175 by Jordan Fan-
tosme ("sun plenier Parlement"), may have been m common use. But
of this we have no distinct instanoo in the Latin chroniclers for some
years further, although whon the term oomea into use it is applied retros-
pectively : and in a record of the twenty-eighth year of Henry III., the
assembly in which the great charter was granted is mentioned as the
" Parliamontum Runimedjo." ... It is first used in England by a
contemporary writer in 12il3, namely, by Matthew Paris. It is a word of
Italian origin, and may have been introduced either thi-ough the Normans
or through intercourse with the French kingdom." — C.
2 Archffiologia, vol. ii. p. 310.
CHAP. VIII.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
119
introduced in the early part ot the fourteenth century by Simon de Montfort and the reibrmino-
barons ot his day. It is true that these barons were actuated in some degree by ambitious motives'
and that their conduct partook of the revolutionary turbulence of the age in which they lived • but
they were the legitimate descendants of those illustrious patriots who wrung from King John the
charter of British freedom. The reforms they introduced were parts of the same system ; the one
the natural eiiect of the other, and both flowing from that spirit of "popular encroachment" which
does not, and which ought not, to rest till its fair claims are satisfied. In this way the dictation of
the barons and the discontents of the subordinate orders of society were overcome • and though
in an age of compa,rative darkness, Edward I., the "Justinian of England," whose sagacity' enabled
him to mark the signs of the tunes, did not hesitate to declare in his writs to the sheriffs for the
return of burgesses to Parliament, " that it was a most equitable rule, that that which concerns all
should be approved of by all." By this temperate extension of the popular rights, the visionary
projects of John Ball and Wat Tyler, which soon after arose, were defeated ; and the representative
system of England has remained ever since essentially unaltered, till successive enlargements of
the elective franchise were rendered necessary by the altered state of society in commerce and in
manufactures.
In the time of Henry III. abuses in the government had been suffered to accumulate, till, .
according to the contemporary historians, "justice itself was banished from the realm; for the
wickeddevoured the righteous, the courtier the rustic, the oppressor the innocent, the fraudulent
the plain man, and_ yet all these things remained unpunished. Evil counsellors whispered into
the_ ears of the princes that they were not amenable to the laws. The subject was oppressed in
various ways, and, as if these sycophants had conspired the death of the king, and the destruction
of his throne, they encouraged him to disregard the devotion of his people, and to incur their
hatred rather than to enjoy their affection."' In addition to these grievances, the kingdom was
deeply involved in debt, and the king stood in need of fresh contributions to carry on his wars,
which the barons refused to grant till the public grievances were redressed. Overwhelmed with
difficulties, Henry issued his mandate for holding a Parliament at Oxford. Of this Parliament, so
celebrated in history, and particularly in the representative history of England, it is recorded that
" the grandees of the realm, major and minor, with horses and arms, were convened at Oxford,
June 11, 1258, together with the clergy, to make provision and reformation, and ordination of the
realm ; and on their oath of fidelity were exhibited the articles which in the said realm stood in
need of correction." This Parliament, owing to the popular excitation under which it was
assembled, and to all the members coming dressed in armour, and mounted as for battle, obtained
the name oi parliamentura insanum, or " The Mad Parliament," though it would have been well for
England if all Parliaments had been equally sane ; but there was a method in their madness, and
one of their first acts was to ordain that four knights should be chosen by each county, whose duty
it should be to inquire into the grievances of the people, in order that they might be redressed,
and that they should be returned to the next Parliament, to give information as to the state of
their respective counties, and to co-operate in enacting such laws as might best conduce to the
public good. Some approach had been made towards this state of things in the time of King John,
when the knights were appointed to meet in their several counties, and to present a detail of the
state of those counties to the great council ; but here they were not only to present their com-
plaints, but, by being made a component part of the legislative body, they were to contribute from
their local knowledge to the removal of those wrongs which it was their duty to present.
In this Parliament at Oxford twenty-four persons were elected — -twelve on the part of the
king, and as many on the part of the community — for the reformation of public abuses, and the
amendment of the' state of the realm.
' On the part of the king —
The lord bishop of London.
The lord (bishop) elect of Winton.
Sir Henry, son of the king of Almaine.
Sir John, earl of Warrenne.
Sir Guy de Lesignan.
Sir Wm. de Valence.
Sir John, earl of Warwick.
Sir John Mansel,
Friar John de Derlington.
The abbot of Westminster.
Sir Hugh de Wengham.
[The twelfth is wanting.]
" On the part of the barons —
The lord bishop of Worcester
Sir Simon, earl of Leicester.
Sir Richard, earl of Gloucester.
Sir Humphrey, earl of Hereford.
Sir Roger Mareschal.
Sir Roger de Mortimer.
Sir Geoffry Fitz-Geofifry.
Sir Hugh le Bigot.
Sir Richard le Grey.
Sir William Bardulf.
Sir Peter de Montfort.
Sir Hugh Despenser."
' Ann, Burton, anno 1258, p. 424.
120 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap, via
Amongst a variety of other decrees, the twenty-four enacted that the state of the holy church
be amended ; that a justiciar be appointed for one year, to be answerable to the king and his
council during his term of office ; that a treasurer of the exchequer be also appointed, to render
account at the end of the year ; that the chancellor shall also answer for his trust ; that shire-
reeves be provided in every county, trusty persons, freeholders, and vavasors/ of property and
consequence in the county, who shall faithfully and honestly treat the people of the county, and
render their accounts to the exchequer once every year ; and that neither they, nor their bailiffs,
take any hire ; that good escheators be appointed, and that they take nothing from the goods
of the deceased out of the lands which ought to be in the king's hands ; that the exchange of
London be amended, as well as all the other cities of the king, which had been brought to disgrace
and ruin by talliages, and other extortions ; and that the household of the king and queen be
amended.
Of the Parliaments, they ordain : —
" That there be three Parliameuts in the year : the first, upon the octave of St. Michael (Oct. 6) ; the second, on the morrow
of Candlemas (Feb. 3); the third, June 1. To these three Parliaments shall come the counsellors-elect of the king, though they be
not commanded, to provide for the state of the realm, and to manage the common business of the realm, when there shall be need,
by the command of the king." "That the community do choose twelve prode men {" prud'hommes," men of probity and prudence),
who shall go the Parliaments, and attend at other times when there shall be need, when the king or his council shall command, to
manage the business of the king, and of the realm ; and that the community hold for stable that which these twelve shall do ; and
this to spare the cost of the commons. Fifteen shall be named by the earl mareschal, the Earl of Warwick, Hugh de Bigot, and
John Mansel, who are elected by the twenty-four, to name the aforesaid fifteen, who shall be of the council of the king ; and they
shall be confirmed by them, or by the greater part of them ; and they shall have power from the king to give them counsel in good
faith concerning the government of the realm, and all things belonging to the king and kingdom ; and to amend and redress all
things which they shall see want to be amended and redressed, and to be over the high justiciar, and over all other persons ; and if
they cannot all be present, that which the greater part shall do shall be firm and stable."
It has been the fashion to consider the " Provisions of Oxford," as they were called, as the rash
innovations of an ambitious oligarchy, but the principle of the securities then required from the
crown was adopted from the Great Charter ; and the appointment of a supreme council of state
was one of the conditions imposed upon John, with the more stringent demand that the twenty-
live barons, who were then to control the executive, should be elected without the concurrence of
the king. The unconstitutional power assumed, of choosing the responsible ministers of the
crown — for in no other light can the functions of these " twelve prode men " be considered—
gradually fell into disuse, though the time when that authority ceased is not very accurately
defined in history. In November of the same year (1258), after the dissolution of the memorable
Parliament of Oxford, writs were issued from the kino-'s chancery to the sheriffs of England, com-
manding them respectively to pay "reasonable wages'' to the knights delegate for their journey to
Parliament, upon the affairs touching their several counties. This is the first known lorif'de
expensis," and it is of the same tenure as that of subsequent times, when it became essential to
Parliament to have in it the representatives of the counties, chosen by the freeholders ; but the
writ for Lancashire issued on this occasion, is lost, and with it the names of the knights returned
for the county.
The king and his courtiers, headed by his brothers, and countenanced by his son EdAvard, the
heir-apparent of the crown, resisted to blood the attempts made to reform the Parliament, and to
redress the public grievances, accompanied, as these attempts were, with measures for subverting
the royal prerogative, and establishing an aristocratical oligarchy. The progress of reform in the
constitution of Parliament was not, however, materially retarded by this resistance. It had always
been the avowed intention of Simon de Montfort, Earl of Leicester, and Robert de Ferrers, Earl
of Derby, to confine the executive power within the limits of the law, and to have all the acts of
the king confirmed, as well by the representatives of the county as by the barons spiritual and
temporal f and in the Parliament of Worcester, called "Montfort's Parliament," held in 49 Henry III.
(1265), it was enacted, that each sheriff throughout England should cause to be sent to the Parlia-
ment two knights elected by the freeholders, with two citizens from each of the cities, and two
burgesses from each of the boroughs throughout England. By these means the respective orders
m the state had an opportunity of expressing the public will ; and in an assembly so constituted,
and ot which the lords spiritual and temporal formed a part, the due consideration of the public
good was effectually secured.' This national council, which, Hume says, " was on a more democratic
basis than any which had been ever summoned since the foundation of the monarchy," was the
personlThtnThlktef °"' ^^° '"'''^ ^'""^' ^^ '^^^^'^ '™"''' "' ""'"'" f^^'^Pji "''''^^^' '^ " =1^°"" "y Sir Robert Cotton and others, and as is
Chap. viii. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
121
m
first in which we distinctly recognise the Parliament of England. It happened, however that m
these early Parliaments the expense incurred by the communities of the counties cities and
boroughs from the attendance of their members in Parliament was often considered oppressive •
and hence we find that many poor boroughs, particularly in the county of Lancaster had no
members,— the reason alleged being that they were unable to pay their expenses, on account of
their debility and poverty. The boroughs for which returns were made were principally " walled
towns,' held of the king in ancient demesne ; and the only places in Lancashire entitled to the
privilege, it that could be considered a privilege which was felt as a public burden, were Lancaster
Preston, Liverpool, and Wigan. The inhabitants of the boroughs, under the feudal system, were'
for the most part, villeins, either in gross or in relation to the manor in which the town stood and
belonged to some lord.' The former held houses, called burgage tenures, at the will of the'lord,
and carried on some trade, such as carpenter, smith, butcher, baker, clothier, or tailor, and the
election of members was in the inhabitants of the burgage tenures, so far as they were free
agents. There were also in these boroughs certain free inhabitants who held burgages, and were
in consequence invested with the elective franchise. In incorporated cities and boroughs the right
of election was generally in the corporate body, or freemen as they were called, subject to such
limitations, however, as the charters imposed. When the wages of the members representing the
cities or boroughs were paid out of the rates, the election was in the inhabitant householders
paying those rates, and the right of election Avas hence designated "scot and lot suffrage." In
treating the subject of the county representation from the first return to Parliament made by the
sheriff of Lancashire to the present time, the most clear and satisfactory mode will be to take the
reign of each of the early kings separately, and connect with the lists in each reign such other
historical matter as may be presented on the subject : and 1st. — Of the parliamentary history of
the reign of
Edward I.
Although the return of knights and burgesses summoned to Parliament by writ commenced as
early as 49 Henry III.^ (12C5), no original return made by the sheriff for this county, or for its
boroughs,' is found in any of the public records till 23 Edw. I. (a.d. 1295). The first return of
members for this county is to the Parliament at Westminster, appointed to assemble on Sunday
next after the feast of St. Martin (Nov. 12); and it announces that " Matthew de Redman " and
"John de Ewyas"^ were elected knights. for the county of Lancaster, by the consent of the whole
county, who have full and sufficient power to do for themselves, and for the commonalty of the
county aforesaid, what our lord the king shall ordain by his council.
"That the aforesaid Matthew was guaranteed to come on the day contained in the writ, by Thomas', son of Thomas de Yeland ;
Thomas Fitz Hall ; William Fitz Adam ; and William son of Dake" (in confirmation of which they affi.x +
their marks, the manucaptors or sureties for the members not being able probably to write their own names). +
" And that the aforesaid John was guaranteed by John de Singleton, Richard de Grenel, Roger de Boulton, and Adam de Grene-
huUes." The sheriffs return adds, "There is no city in the county of Lancaster." It then proceeds to say "that Lambert le
Despenser and William le Dispenser, burgesses of Lancaster, are elected burgesses for the borough of Lancasttr, in manner above
said. And the aforesaid Lambert is guaranteed by Adam de le Grene and John de Overton ; and the aforesaid William is guranteed
by Thomas Molendinar and Hugh le Barker." That " William Fitz Paul and Adam Russel, burgesses of Preston, are elected for
the borough of Preston in Amounderness ; and the aforesaid William is guaranteed to come as above by Richard Banaster and
Richard Pelle. And the aforesaid Adam is guaranteed by Henry Fitz Baldwin, and Robert Kegelpin." That William le Teinterer,
and Henry le Becker, burgesses of Wigan, are elected for the borough of Wyrjan in the manner above said. And they are guaran-
teed to come by John le Preston of Wygan, Adam de Cotiler, Roger Fitz Orme, and Richard Fitz Elys." That Adam Fitz Richard
and Robert Pinklowe, burgesses of Liverpool, are elected for the borough of Liverpool. And they are guaranteed to come, in the
time specified in the writ, by John de la More, Hugh de Molendino, William Fitz Richard, and Elias le Baxster."''
There is a copy of a writ and return, in 1294, for Cumberland, and amongst the persons
returned for that year are — Matthew de Redman" and Richard de Preston, as knights of the shire.
In the Parliament of 1296, no original writ for Lancashire appears, nor is there any enrolment
of writs de expensis for this county on the rolls.
^ ArcJueologia, vol. ii, p. 31.3, meet at Windsor. Tlie Bishop of Worcester, the Earls of Leicester and
" Prynne's Enlargement of Ilia 4th Institute. Gloucester, and other magnates, having ordered three knights from each
•■' In a return presented to Parliament by order of the House of Com- county to attend an assembly at St. Albans, the king enjoins the sheriffs
corns in 1879, giving the names of members of the lower house and their to send the above-mentioned knights also to him at Windsor. (5) 40
constituencies "from so remote a period as it can be obtained," the Henry III. (1264-6), summoned to meet at London. This appears (says
earliest Parliaments mentioned are the following: (1) 15 John (1213), the return) to have been the first complete ParUament consisting of
summoned to meet at Oxford. Writs addressed to all the sheriffs, re- elected knights, citizens, and burgesses. In each of these cases no
quiringthem each to send all the knights of their bailiwicks inarms ; and returns of names could be found. — C.
also four knights from their counties, '* ad loqucndum nohiscumde mgotiU * Matthew de Redman served the office of Sheriff of the county from
regni nostre" (2) 10 Henry III. (1226) summoned to meet at Lincoln. 1245 to 1249; the other representative of the shire in this Parliament,
Wrirs addressed to the sheriffs of eight counties, requiring them each to Sir John D'Ewyas, married Cecily, the eldest of the three daughters and
send four knights, elected by the miiites et probl hominen of their baili- co-heirs of Sir William de Samlesbury, and, in her right, had half of the
wicks, to set forth certain disputes with the sheriffs. (3) 3S Henry III, manor of Samlesbmy. Ho died before 1311.— C.
(1251), summoned to meet at Westminster. Every sheriff required to « Petitt M8S. vol 15, fol, 88. Inner Temple Libr.
send two knights, to be elected by each county, to provide aid towards " This is probably the same person that was returned for Lancashire
carrying on the war in Gascony (4) 45 Henry III. (1261), summoned to in the following year,
17
122
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. ohap. viii.
The first parliamentary writ extant, addressed to the sheriff of Lancashire, is of the date of
25 Edward I (6th October, 1297) in the Tower of London, and requires that knights only (not
citizens and burgesses) shall be sent from this county to Parliament, for the confirmation of Magna
Charta and the Charter of Forests. This writ, which is of the nature of a bargain between he
kin- and his people, recites that, in relief of all the inhabitants and people of the kingdom for the
ei-hth of all the goods of every layman, and the most urgent necessity of the kingdom, the king
hal a-reed to confirm the great charter of the liberties of England, and the charter of the liberties
of the forest; and to grant by letters patent that the said levy of the eighth shall not operate o
the preiudice of his people, or to the infringement of their liberties ; and he commands and firmly
enioins the sheriff that he cause to be elected, without delay, two of the most able and legal, or
most honest and lawworthy (" probioribus et legalioribus ") knights of the county of Lancaster, and
send them with full powers from the whole community of the said county, to his dearest son
Edward, his lieutenant in England (the king being then abroad, engaged m the war with France),
on the octaves of St. Michael next ensuing (6th Oct., 1297), to receive the said charters and the
king's letters patent for the said county.' ^ ,, -, ^ ■, r • ■ t
The members returned in the Parliament of 1297, called for the purpose of raising money for
the invasion of France, were " Henricus de Kigheley " and " Henricus le Botiller, vel " Botiler. '
In the Parliament of 1298, the return in the original writ is "Henricus de Kigheley and
'Johannes Denyes," (? de Ewyas), knights of the shire. The Parliament of the following year
- • • - ■ ■- -'' - -■- f"" *i-;" ^^„v,fTr The same observation
January, 1306-7, "Gilbertus de Syngilton" and "Johannes _ r -pj j
honour. These returns to the frequent Parliaments," in the latter part of the reign of Edward 1.
completes the writs for that period, so far as regards this county. During the same reign, four
returns were made to Parliament of members for the borough of Lancaster, two for the borough of
Liverpool, five for Preston, and two for Wigan ; each of which will be treated of in its proper place.
The number of counties, cities, and 'boroughs making returns to Parliament at this time
amounted to one hundred and forty-nine," in the list of which we find ten members for Lancashire,
namely, two for the county, and two for each of the above-named boroughs. In the 24 Henry VI.
(1446), the number of members was reduced to 274, all the boroughs of Lancashire having then
disappeared from the list, and the only members returned for this county consisting of the knights
of the shire.
Although these early Parliaments were frequent, the period of their sitting was of short
duration. In 49 Henry III. (1265), the Parliament which assembled to settle the peace of the
kingdom, after the barons' wars, accomplished its duty in thirty-two days, and then dissolved ; and
yet this was reputed an incredible delay. The Parliament, 28 Edward I. (1300), which confirmed
the great charter and made artictdi swper cartas, was summoned to meet on the second Sunday^
in Lent, and ended the 20th day of March, on which day the writs for the knights' and burgesses'
expenses were dated, making a session of three weeks. The famous Parliament at Lincoln, 28
Edward I. (Jan. 20th, 1301), wherein the king and nobles wrote their memorable letters to Pope
Boniface, claiming homage from the kings of Scotland to the kings of England, sat but ten
days. ' The Parliament of 3.5 Edward I. was summoned to meet at Carlisle on the 20th of January
1 Hot. Claua. 25 Ed. I. m. C d. Orig, in Turr. Lond. intended only to fix the times at wliioli the Parliaments were to assemble,
- Henry de Kiffhley was seneschall or steward of Blackburnshire till the reforms then contemplated were completed.
10 Edward I. (12S7-8). His colleague was the eldest son of William Fitz- " Prynne's Brev. Pari.
Alraeric le Pmcema or le Boteler, seventh baron of Warrington; he died ' In June, 1209, Pope Boniface addressed a letter to Edward, demand-
in the year of his election, and in the following year John D'Ewyaa, who iner that every controversy between England and Scotland should be
had sat in the Parliament of 1295, was returned with Henry de Kighley referred to the decision of the pontiff. Edward returned for answer that
as a knight of the shire. — C. he should submit the matter to his Parhament. The independence of
3 Thomas Travers, who obtained Nateby in Garstang by deed of gift England was threatened by these inordin.ate pretensions, and the king
fropi his brother, Lawrence Travers, of Tulketh, was coroner for Furness never showed greater sagacity than in this resolve to summon the repre-
(c. 1292), high sheriff of the county (1301-4), and keeper of the forests of sentativcs of the nation that they might speak the voice of the nation.
Lancaster and Amounderness, and collector of scutages for the county. In that Parliiiment three hundred persons — prelates, abbots, barons.
He died before August, 1334. — C. knights, and burgesses— were present, and whatever might be their
* Of Chfton-with-Salwick and Westby, his colleague, William dc opinions as to the rights claimed by their sovereign over the kingdom of
Singleton, being of the house of Singleton in Kirkham parish ; William Scotland, they were unanimous in resisting the claim set up by the
Banastre, who was elected to the same honour with William Clifton in pontilT, and returned as their answer : " It is, and by the grace of God
1304, died in 17 Edward II. (1323-4), seized of " the hamlet of Singleton shall always be, our common and unanimous resolve, that with respect
Parva" in Kirkham. — C. to the rights of his kingdom of Scotland, or other temporal rights, our
" It is evident that no fixed i*ule was adhered to in summoning these aforesaid lord the king shall not plead before you, nor submit in any
Parliaments, except that which arose out of the king's want of either m.anner to your judgment, nor suffer his right to be brought into question
money or counsel, or both. The order of the Parliament of Oxford, that by any inquiry, nor send agents or procuratox'S for that purpose to your
three Parliament-! should be licld in one year, does not appear over to court."— C.
have been acted upon with uniformity, and tliis enactment was probably
CHAP. VIII. THE HISTOEV OF LANCASHIRE.
123
(1307), when the king expected Cardinal Sabmes; but the cardinal not arriving, as was expected
the king prorogued this Parliament by another writ till the next Sunday after Mid-lent (March 12)'
and on Palm Sunday the Parliament ended, having sat only fifteen days, whereof three were
Sundays,' it being in those times the general practice to assemble the Parliaments on the Sunday,
and so far to disregard the Sabbath as to hold their sittings continuously, without any intermission'
on that day. ' '
Edward II.
No fewer than twenty-seven Parliaments were held during the twenty years' reign of Edward II.
There are no writs extant for Lancashire in ten of that number— namely, in 1308 and 1309 ; in
November, 1311; in the first Parliament of 1312; in the Parliaments of 1313 and 1316 ; and in
those of 1317, 1318, and 1323. Mr. Palgrave, in his second volume of Parliamentary Writs and
\Vrits_ of Military Summons, published by direction of the commissioners of public records,
has given a very complete list of the returns made to Parliament by the sheriff of Lancashire
during this reign; and from that source the following returns, from 1307 to 1327, are
derived. In 1307, it appears from the original Avrit for this county, that "Matheus de
Reddeman, miles," and " Willielmus le Gentyl, miles," were returned. In August, 1311,
" Thomas de Bethum," vel " Bethume, miles," and " Willielmus le Gentylle," vel " Gentyl, miles,"
were returned to the Parliament on the 8th of August. The writ de expensis for the attendance
at Parliament, from the return-day until the feast of St. Dionysius, together with their charges
coming and returning, is tested at London on the 11th of October. It is remarkable that an indi-
vidual named Thomas de Bethun, or Bethom, is also returned for Westmorland in the same
Parliament ; and it is highly probable that the electors in some cases economised their expenses
by returning_ the sarne member to represent two counties. This Parliament is remarkable for the
desertion of its public duty, from a cause which strikingly indicates that ancient members of Par-
liament had much less patience than their successors of the present day. So exhausted Avere the
lords, the king's counsel, the knights, and the burgesses, by their sitting of nine weeks, that most
of them departed from Parliament without license, as the writs and summons attest, and the
remainder petitioned the king to adjourn, and thus obtained licence to return to their homes. The
original writ for the county of Lancaster, in the Parliament of August, 1312, returns " Henricus de
Trafforde, miles," and " Ricardus le Molineaux de Croseby, miles." No enrolment of writ de
expensis appears on the rolls, but the entries of such writs are incomplete. " Dominus Willielmus
de Bradeschagh, miles," and " Dominus Edmundus de Dacre, rniles," are returned in the original writ
of March 18, 1313. In the writ of July 8, in the same year, Radulphus de Bykerstathe, miles,"
and " Willielmus de Slene, miles," are returned. No manucaptors were found by those knights.
To the Parliament of the 23rd September, in the same year, " Henricus de Feghirby vel Fegherby,
miles," and " Thomas de Thornton vel Thorneton, miles," are returned. The writ de expensis for
" Henricus de Fegherby," and "Thomas de Thorneton," for attendance at Parliament, from the return
day (September 23) until Thursday next after the feast of St. Michael (November 15), amounts to
£21 12s. at the rate of four shillings each per diem, together with their charges coming and
returning. To the Parliament of April, 1314, there is no return from the county. In the
Parliament of September, 1314, " Thomas Banastr', miles," and " Willielmus de Slene, miles,"
appear in the original writ, as well as in the writ de expensis. "Willielmus de Bradeshagh,
miles," and "Adam de Halghton, miles," are returned 20th January, 1315, and £19 4s., at the
rate of four shillings each per diem, is awarded to them by the writ de expensis. In 1316,
"Johannes de Lancastr'" and "Willielmus de Walton" are returned on the 27th of January.
In the Parliament of April, in the same year, no writ for the county is found, but " Rogerus de
Pilteton, miles," and "Johannes de Pilketon, miles," are returned by the original writ of
29th July following, and their charges allowed at the usual rate in the writ de expensis. To
the Parliament summoned to meet at Lincoln, January 27th, 1318, no return appears, but
"Edmundus de Nevill', miles," and " Johannes de Horneby, miles," are returned by the original
writ of October 20th in the same year, on which it is observed that no manucaptors were found by
these knights. At this period an advance took place in the wages allowed to the county members
for their services in Parliament, and the allowance in the writ de expensis is five shillings each per
diem, instead of four as hitherto. In 1319, " Willielmus de Walton, miles," and " Willielmus de
Slene, miles," are returned in the original writ for the county ; but it is much torn and detaced,
and rendered almost illegible. From some cause, the members' wages were again reduced to lour
shillings each per diem. In 1320, " Gilbertus de Haydok, miles," and " Thomas de Thornton, miles,
appear in the original writ, and in the writ de expensis ; but it was alleged that they were
■ Prynno'a Enlargement of his 4th Institute.
124 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. viii.
returned by Willielmus le Gentil, the sheriff, on his own authority, and without the assent of the
county. No original writ for this county is found for the Parliament of 1321,' but the names of
" Johannes de Horneby junior," and " Gilbertus de Heydok," are inserted in the writ de expensis,
tested at Westminster on the 22d of August. "Edmundus de Nevill, miles," and " Johannes de
Lancastria, luiles," were returned to the Parliament of 1322. ^ By this writ the sum of one
hundred and seven shillings and fourpence is awarded to the two knights for seventeen days'
attendance in Parliament at York, and six days coming and returning ; Edmundus de Neville
receiving sixty-nine shillings, at the rate of three shillings per diem, and Johannes de Lancastria
thirty-eight shillings, at the rate of twenty pence per diem ; but why the latter received lower
wao-es than the former for his parliamentary services is not stated. In the original writs of
election and proclamation for this county, in the Parliament summoned to meet at Ripon on
the 14th of November, 1322 (altered afterwards to York), " Richard de Hoghton, miles," and
" Gilbertus de Singilton' vel Sengilton, miles," were returned. From the writ de expensis it
appears that the original rate of wages was re-established, and the sum of £8 8s. for fifteen
days' attendance in Parliament, and three days coming and three days returning, was awarded
to the Ivnights.
In 1324 the original writ for this county returns the names of " Edmundus de Nevill', miles,"
and "Gilbertus de Haidoli, miles." The names of "Edmundus de Nevyll'" and "Thomas de
Lathum," "per. iiii dies," are found in the enrolment of the writ de expensis, and on the original
pawn or docket, as knights appearing for this county. The writ de expensis directs that sixteen
marks for twenty days' attendance at Parliament, and four days coming and four days returning,
at the rate of three shillings and fourpence each per diem, should be paid to the knights. No reason
is assigned for the substitution of the name of " Thomas de Lathum " for that of Gilbert de Haidok.
At another Parliament in this year "Willielmus de Slene, miles," and "Nicholaus le Norrays vel
Norreys, miles," appear in the original writ for this county, returned by Gilbertus de [Sothe] worth,
sheriff. ISfo manucaptors were found by these knights. In the writ de expensis, £7 15s. is awarded
to the members for twenty-one days' attendance in Parliament, and five days coming, and five days
returning, at the rate of tAvo shillings and sixpence each per diem. There is a peculiarity in this
original writ. Usually the citizens and burgesses of the county are required to send members ; but in
this case the summons is confined to knights of the shire. In 1325 " Willielmus de Bradeshaghe,
miles," and "Johannes de Horneby vel Hornby" are returned. No manucaptors were found by
these knights. In the writ de expensis, £7 14s. is awarded for twenty-two days' attendance in
Parliament, including coming and returning ; " Willielmus de Bradeshaghe " to be paid at the rate
of four shillings per diem, a knight's wages, and "Johannes de Horneby" at the rate of three
shillings per diem, an inferior rate of wages. In 1326-7 " Edmundus de Nevyll, miles," and
" Ricardus de Hoghton, miles," appear in the writ of expenses, the original Avrit not being found.
The sum awarded to the two knights is £28 8s. for seventy-one days' attendance in Parliament,
coming and returning, at the rate of four shillings each per diem.
During this reign four returns are made for the borougli of Lancaster, and two for the borough
of Preston, but none for either Liverpool or Wigan. 'The rate of wages paid to the borough
members appears to have been fixed at two shillings each per diem. Lancaster, Preston, Liverpool,
and Wigan Avere the only towns in the Palatinate called upon to return members to Parliament,
but so little value did our ancestors place on the elective franchise, that they Avere only too anxious
to be relieved of their privileges, the appreciation of the honour of being represented diminishing
as the exactions of the sovereign increased. The members deemed it a Avaste of time, and the
burgesses looked on it as a profitless luxury that might be advantageously dispensed Avith. EA^ery
year the number of members decreased, and some boroughs petitioned against, and even Avent so
far as to buy themselves from, their enforced privilege. "So burdensome Avas representation felt
that, as Ave learii froma note to " Blackstone," from the 33 EdAvard III. (1359) uniformly through
the five succeeding reigns, a period embracing very nearly a century, the sheriffs of Lancashire
returned that there Avere no cities or boroughs in the county that ought, or Avere used, or could,
on account of; their poverty, send any citizens or burgesses to Parliament.
1 In this Parlijiment, called the "Parliament de la Bond," from the which the Earl of Hereford and the other great confederates (including
barons coming armed against the Despensers and wearing colovired banda Thomas, Earl of LancMter) suddenly brought to the Parliament of West-
l.lion their sleeves for distinction, which met at Westminster three weeka minster, with horse and arms, in affray and abasement of all the people."
= . mid.TOmmer, .ail mdemnity was granted against all men, of what- In the sliort period of eight months there had been a counter-revolution,
soever state or condition, who had done what might be noted tor trespasses the Earl of Lancaster had been beheaded, and a mighty change bad beeu
«™nS- Jl„ 5„ ,^K ''tT T^ P""'""'"! andf destroying Hugh le De- wrought as evidenced by the fact that in the same Parliament at York the
speoser the son, and Hugh le Dcspenser, the father. "-C. exile of the Uesponsers was annulled : the " ordinances ■' made ten years
Tr»»t^r tif ^i^.'Jl^Jf^^f",-.*,^ u ^^ if ?* }.°^^ *''"'^ ™<='"' ""'='* previously were revoked for the reason " that by the matters so ordained
rene^lil i hpW ,Lw, Ihnf " -7 t"'"".*'=,'' '" "« Preceding year was the royal power of our lord the king Was restrained on divere things,
3^t;!l •■ o„.? f^ f ,? ! , It was sinfully and wrongfully made and contrary to what it ought to be ; " and all provisions "made by subiects
^r„<, '„r if'*™! °f «>« Prel-'tos, earls, barons, knights of against the royal power of the ancestors of our lord the king'' wcrs
Bhues, and commonality' then given was "for dread of great forco oriered to cease and lose their effect for ever. - 0. ^
CHAP. vm. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 125
By an assumption of power which is scarcely to be credited, the high sheriff of the county, in
17 Edward II. (1324), -arrogated to himself, as we have already seen, the right of superseding the
privileges of the electors, and returning members for the county by his own appointment. The
presentment made to the grand jury of the hundred of West Derby against this ostentatious and
arbitrary sheriff has already been referred to, but it may not be unacceptable to have the document
entire : —
(" The Grand Jury o£ the Waiieiitake of West Derby present, That ' WiUielmus le Qentil,' at tlie time when
he was sheriff, and when he held his Tourn in the said Wapentake, ought to have remained no longer in the
Wapentake than three nights with three or four horses, whereas he remained there at least nine days witli
eight horses, to the oppression of the people ; and tliat he quartered himself one night at the house of
'Dus de Turhat,' aud another night at the house of one ' liobertus de Bold,' another at the house of ' Jioberlus de Grenlay,' and
elsewhere, according to his will, at the cost of the men of the Wapentake. They also present, that the said ' WiUielmus ' allowed
one ' Henricus fil. Koherti le Mercer,' indicted of a notorious theft, to be let out upon manucaption ; whereas he was not mainpernable
according to the law ; in consequence of which the men of the Wapentake avoided making presentments of notorious thieves ; and
that ' Henricus de Multon ' did the same when he was sherifT. That the said ' WiUielmus ' and ' //enricus ' returned certain persons
ou inquests and juries without giving them warning. That the said ' WiUielmus le Gentil, when sheriff, had returned ' Gilbertus de
Ilaydok ' and ' Thomas de Thornton,' knights of the shire (14 Edward II., 1320), without the assent of the County, whereas they
ought to have been elected by the County ; and had levied twenty pounds for their expenses ; whereas the County could, by their
own election, have found two good and sufficient men who would have gone to Parliament for ten marks or ten pounds, and the
sheriff's bailiffs levied as much for their own use as they had levied for the knights. Also, that ' Henricus de Malton,' when he was
sheriif, had returned ' WiUielmus de Slene ' and ' WiUielmus de Walton' as knights (12 Edward II., 1318), in the same manner."
"The said 'WiUielmus Gentil' is enlarged, upon the manucaption of four manuoaptors." — {Hot. Plac. 17 Edw. II, m. 72.)
Edwaed III.
In the first Parliament of Edward III. (1327), " Michael de Haverington " and " Will'us
Laurence " were returned knights of the shire for the county of Lancaster. " WiUielmus de Brad-
shaigh" and "Edmundus de Nevill " were elected in February, 1327-8, and were succeeded by
" Thomas de Thornton," and "John de Horneby," who were succeeded in turn in the same year by
'■ Willielmus Laurence" and "Thomas de Thornton." In 1329, "Nicholaus le Norreys" and
"Henry de Haydok" attended the adjourned Parliament, and were succeeded by "Will'us de
Saperton" and "Henricus de Haydok." "Willielmus de Bradeshagh (or de Bradeshawe) " and
"Johannes de Lancastr' " were their successors in the year 1330. At the election of these
members, the sheriff, by order of the king, proclaimed that if any person in the county had
suffered wrong from any of the servants of the crown, they were to come to the next Parliament
and make known their complaints. " Will'us de Bradshawe" and " Oliverus de Stanesfield" were
returned in 1331. "Adam Banastf" and "Robertus de Dalton" were elected in March, 1332,
and in September of the same vear "Robertus de Dalton" and "Johannes de Horneby," jun.,
were returned. In December, 1332, " Edos (Edmundus) de Nevill " and " Johannes de Horneby, '
jun., were elected; and in the writs de expensis it appears that the wages of the knights were
then four shillings per diem. " Edmundus de Nevill " and " Robertus de Dalton " were returned
in February, 1334, and they were succeeded in the same year by "Robertus de Radeclyf" and
"Henricus de Haydok." In 1335 "Robertus de Shirburn" and "Edmundus de Nevill" were
elected. In 1336 "Johannes de Shirburn" and "Henricus de Haydok' were returned ; and
in the same year "Johannes de Horneby," jun., and "Henricus de Haydok. ^^^ , l^^"? '
"Robertus de Irland" and "Henricus de Haydok" were returned, and they were succeeded m
the same year by " Ric'us de Hoghton " and " Edmundus de Nevill."
The chancres made in the county members seem at this period to have been very frequent,
but whether that arose from the fickleness of the constituents, from the inadequate payments
made to the knights of the shire, or from the unproductive nature of parliamentary mtiuence,
and the very diminutive size of the pension list, does not appear. . ^ , r « t, r, ^
The return to the writ of summons in February, 1337-8 contained the names of Robertus
de Billisthorpe" and "Robertus de Radeclif," and in that of July m the same year " Johannes de
Hornby" and "Johannes de Clyderhowe," as knights of the shire, to whom, by the writ de
expensis, dated at Northampton on the 2nd of August, the sum oi £7 4s. was awarded for coming
to remaining in Parliament, and returning to their houses, being a payment of four shillings eacli
per diem for eighteen days. The writ for 1339 was issued by the guardian of the kmgdom, and
the king's coimcil, in his Majesty's absence; and the knights returned to Parliament for he
county of Lancaster were "Robertus de Clyderhowe" and "Henricus de f^yk^^^^f h. In the
same year" Nich'us de Hulm" and "Robertus de Prestecote were returned Jol^^^^^l J^^.
Radecliffe" and "Robertus de Radeclifte" were returned m 1340 and "^/Jf p^^^^X;
"Robertus de Dalton" and "Johannes de Dalton" were elected and returned to Parliament,
with the usual allowance of four shillings per diem. .
Durin- the remainder of this reign the Parliaments continued to be he d almost eveiy yeai
and it is c4ear, from the continuall/-varying names returned for the county of Lancastei, that
126 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. viii.
each session was a new, and not an adjourned Parliament. It is equally clear that no argument
in favour of any precise duration of Parliament can be founded upon the practice of these early
times, seeing that there was frequently more than one Parliament in the year ; and that at other
times the assembling of Parliament was intermitted for two, three, or four years.
In the 4th of Edward III. (1330) it was enacted that Parliaments should be held once a-year,
and oftener, if necessary. The 36 Henry VI. (1458) requires a Parliament to be held every year.
By 16 Charles II. (1664) it is enacted that Parliaments shall' be triennial; confirmed by 6 William
and Mary (1694) ; but by 1 George I. (1714) the time of their continuance, if considered necessary
by the king and his advisers, was rendered septennial. So that our parliamentary history affords
all the precedents from three Parliaments in the year to one Parliament in seven years.
The following is a list of the members for the county of Lancaster during the remainder of
the reign of Edwkrd III., with the date of the Parliaments in which they sat, and the amount of
wages they received from the county : — ■
Members (Knights). Paeliambnt at Wages.
No writ found Westminster, April 23, 1341
Johjes de Haverington "I Westminster, Monday, 15 days of Easter (April 24, 1343) £13 : 12s. for 34 days.
Joli ea Unrtou j > j> j ^ l ' j
Ctaus. 17 E. III. P. I. m 1 ckirso.
wnv'"^i? ^"u-"!,'" V,-Vv;i"' IWestminster, Monday after Octaves of Holy Trinity (June 7, 1344) £12 : I63. for 32 days.
WiUus fil. Rob. de RadeclifF... J > j j j ^ , , j
Claus. 18 R III. P. 2 m. 26.
Joh'es de Cliderhowe l Westminster, Monday after Feast of Nat. Blessed Mary (Sep. 11, 1346) £7 : 4^. for 18 day?.
Adam de Bredelurk / ^^^^^ 20 E. Ill P 2 m. U d.
Adam de Hoghton I Westminster, Monday after Dominica day Middle Quadragesima (March ) „„ . „ .-,,-,,
Joh'es Cokayn ( 31,1348) \ ^^ '■ «. tor ^J days.
Claus. 22 E. III. P. 1 m. 24 d.
Rob'tus de Plesyngton ) Westminster, Morrow of St. Hillary (Jan. 19, 1347-8) £15 : 4s. for 38 dars.
Rjb tus de Prestcote ) ' ■' ^ ' ' ■'
Will' dp r" 1 Iff ( ^Vsstminster, Octaves of the Purification (Feb. 9, 1351) £13 : 43. for 33 days.
Claus. 25 E. III. Pars unlca m. 27 dorso.
No writ found Westminster, Tuesday, Feast St. Hillary.
26 E. III. (1352).
Joh'es de Haveryngton, C'/jtrafc)' Westminster, Morrow^ of the Assumption (Aug. 16,1352) £4 : 4s. for 21 days.
aaus. 26 E. III. m. 10 d.
("Duchy of Lane") Westminster, Monday after St. Matthi. Apost. (Sep. 23, 1353) £6 for 30 d.uys.
Claus. 27 E. in. m. 5 d.
Ric'usNoweir... ..'.','.'.'..'.!. ..".!!! | ^Westminster, Monday after St. Mark Evang. (April 28, 1354) £13 ; 12s for 34 days.
Claus. 28 E. Ill m. 21 d.
Robt, de Horneby ..............'. Westminster, Monday after St. Edmund, Martyr (Nov. 12, Vir,-,) £7 : 12s. for 19 days.
Vltiu.'i. 29 E. III. Pars unica m. 3 d.
John de Haverington ) „. . [£7 : 123. for John for
Robt. de Singleton Westmmster, Monday m Easter week (April 7, 1357) ] 38 d-.iys, and for Robt
'"'''' f £1) : 4s. fur 31 days.
(Addressed to the Duke.) Claus. 31 E. III. m. 19 d.
The writs de expensis for the loiights of the shire for the county of Lancaster are directed, not
to the sheriff, but to the Duke of Lancaster himself. The knights for the counties generally had
two distinct writs, some of them for six, others for seven, and one for eight days' expenses ; but the
writs for Lancashire were issued to the Duke of Lancaster himself, or his lieutenant, by the title
of Duke and Duchy of Lancaster :—
Members (Knights). Parliament at Wages
Roger de Faryngton ]
Robert de Horneby .' | Westminster, Monday after Purification B. M. (Feb. 5, 1358) £13 : 12s. for 34 days.
m-v 1 J TT , i, ., , Glaus. 32 E. III. m. 31 d.
Wilhelmus de Heskyth, miles ] „j , . , ,„ , ^ , „ ,
Rogerus de Faryngton |Westmmster (May 15, 1360)
Will'us de Radeclyf )
Ric'us de Tounlay |Westmmster, Sunday before Conversion of St. Paul (Jan. 24, 1361) £15 : 4s. for 38 days.
Edmundus Laurence 1 ^'«™- ^^ ^- "'' ™' ^^ ^■
Mattheus de Rixton jWestmmster, 15 days of St. Michael (Oct. 13, 1362.) gg ^ ^^^
manufacture of ^^Ui,^^lJ^t''*'^°rf' for '■ settling the Staple " or were sent to all the sheriffs, to send one hiigkt only, "of the most
Sr the coSntv and non!. fTiA w.^' \^''Tf '"■' "^^ S"'? ™<= ""='"^'''' advanced, discreet, and most exempt, in that respect, .J'men who would
heldinthepresentdar«i^h thW^^^ «'"*Tf •" ™* " ™""°" *» ^^ "^^ ^""^^ withdrawn from autumnal occupation. " '^ Writs were also issued
^t^east'^t?fS^c"„l'pl^iVn\T,i?mtS!^g^^^^ S^J;?) tL'Sfe„'u.Sr-^H.""'" °' ^"°^^'^'^' *° ^^"^ "^^ ^™'^ '"■"
CHAP. VIII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 127
At this period a singular piece of presumption was practised in the return to Parliament of
members for the county of Lancaster. The deputy-sheriffs, instead of returning the members
elected by the county, returned themselves, concealing the writ, and levying the expenses, which
they appropriated to their own use. Upon complaint made to the king, he issued two writs : the
first to the sheriff of Lancashire, and the second to the justices of the peace of the county, directing
them to examine into the merits of the election, and to certify the facts to him in chancery. In
the meantime, the levying of the expenses was suspended till further orders upon these
" imparalleled writs," as they are called by Prynne. In the writ to the sheriff (I7th Nov., 1362) that
officer is informed that the greatest agitation exists in Lancashire respecting the election of the
knights for that county in the last Parliament ; and his Majesty, wishing to be more fully informed
about the election, commands the sheriff to assemble the knights and other good men of the com-
mons of the said county, and to make inquiry whether " Edrus Laurence " and " Matthew Rishe-
ton," who have been returned in the writ to Parliament as knights of the said county, or other
persons, were duly elected ; and if, upon deliberation and information, he should find them to have
laeen elected by the common assent of the county, then to cause the said Edrus and Matthew to
have £18 16s. for their expenses incurred in coming to the Parliament, remaining there, and
then returning — that is to say, for forty-seven days— each of the aforesaid Edrus and Matthew
receiving four shillings per diem ; but if other persons have been elected knights of the said
county, then the sheriff is to render information of their names, under his seal, into the kings
chancery, and to remit the writ to his Majesty, conformably to the directions already given. The
king's Avrit to the justices is addressed to his beloved and faithful Godefr. Folejambe, and his
fellow -justices of the peace, in the county of Lancaster, on the 5th of February, 13C3 ; and it states
roundly that the said Edrus and Matthew, who are the sheriff's lieutenants, have made a false and
deceptive return ; in consequence of which, the jurors are required to call before them, at their
next session, the knights and other good men of the same county, and take diligent information
and inquisition on the above premises, and to return the same into the king's chancery ; the sheriff
of Lancashire being at the same time commanded to supersede the levy of the wages, until he shall
have further directions from the king in his mandate respecting them. The result was, that the
election was declared void, and the sheriff's lieutenants were unseated by the king's authority. The
proceedings under these memorable writs, which were the first of the kind that were issued, serve
to show that the king in these early times, and not the Commons House of Parliament, examined
and determined on disputed elections ; and that the king, by special writ issued to the sheriff, or
to the justices of the peace, caused the merits of the elections to be inquired into, and certificate to
be made of their legality or illegality. But, to resume the returns of the list of members for the
county : —
Knights. Parliament at Wages.
Adam de Hoghton Uvestm. (Oct. 6th, 1363) «. 37 E. III.
llogerus de Pylkynton ... j ^
Adam de HoghtoB Westm. Octaves of St. Hilary (Jan. 20, 136,5) £17 : 4s. for 43 days.
Roger de Pylkynton j- »v esuui. CL 3S E. III. m. 31 d.
Job. le Botiller, Miles Iwpstm Monday the morrow of the Invention of the Cross (May 4, 1366) £8 : 16s. for 22 days.
Will. fil. Rob'ti de Radeolyf J " "^^"^^ '■'■ ^' CI. iO E. III. m. 23 d.
Rog de Pylkyngton, azV. K^ ^ ;^ J J jyi (1368) £14 for 35 days.
Rog. de Radeclyf, sen. . . . J " esim. isi, y^ i CI. i1 E. HI m. U d.
^S t S;!e:?iS"} ^-'- 0^*-- °^ '^""''^ (^""''^^' -^""^ '• ''''^ cir^fl. -■ni':^nY'''-
'^t^^-::::::::]'^^'^'^^''-''''^'-'' arJ^.'^::'^^-
Joh'es de Ipre Wynton, Monday in Octaves of Trinity (June 8, 1371) ^^..^.^^4 m.t" ^l d.'^''
Johannes Botiller, MUeH... Uyg3t„,. Morrow of All Souls (Wednesday, Nov. 3, 1372) •;,;-;-/^ Vr?"' ^"l f ^''^^'
Nich. de Haverynton J CL 4b E. III. m. 4 a.
WiU'us de Atherton ) ^v^.tm. Morrow of St. Edmund (Nov. 21, 1373) ;:,;-;;'^i^Vf ' ^°\ f ^''^^'
Joh'es de Holcroft S CI. i7 E. III. m. 1 d.
Joh'es Bottiler, Chivaier... Uyestm. Monday after St. George (April 28, 1376)i ^•■y;,iw>A*Vf !^ ow
Rog. de Brokhols / 01. 50 E. 111. r.Z. m. li </.
Joh'es Botiller Uvestm. in fifteen days of St. Hilary (Jan. 27, 1377) o,■■k^^}^nf^J:"]^\^'''^^^
Rog. Pilkington J 01. 51 E. ill. m. lA. d.
. This Parliament has been called "The Good ParlUment,: in con- »-' ^crivod much enco^^^^^^^^ g'r"Suke of Cctte?;
^^Z:^^'^^^^^^^'^^^^^''^^^^^^^ ^^^ a7;VZn^;t'X?^ct"undidmuch oi 'the wor. of its pre-
.4Sstress, ^i-P-ers, was made the subject of a specUcensv^e deceasor.-C.
kin? s mistress Alice irerrerH, waa mauo niit. ci«...jws^u %... » ^^.-^^^^^ ww....— .«
by the Commons. The increasing activity of the Commons in this Parliav
128
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. f'HAP, viii.
In the ''O Edward III (1346) tlie number of the temporal peers summoned to the Parliament
held at Westminster, at the head of whom stood Henry, Duke of Lancaster amounted only to fifty-
four from which it may be inferred that the hundred and fifty barons in Parliament of 47 Henry
III '(1263) mentioned by Selden included the minor barons, at that time the only representatives
of the commonalty of the land ; and that not by delegation, but by a common interest. The fixed
number of abbots and priors to be summoned to Parliament was determined m the reign of Edward
III but it will be seen by the following list that in the twenty-six religious houses to which this
privilege was adjudged none of the Lancashire monasteries are included :—
\ St Albans 8. Kvesham. 15. Slirew,sbury. 22. Malmesbury
2 GlastonbuiT 9. Wincheloombe. 16. Gloucester. 2.3. Cirencester
I S .TuScant, 10. Crowlaad. 17. Bardney. 2 . St Mary, York.
A Wootm.-ncter 11 Battel!. 18. B6aet in Holm. 25. Selby.
: St Edmondsbury. II lading. 19. Thorney. 26. Prior of St. John o£
6 Petei-borough. 13. Abingdon. 20. Ramsey. Jerusalem first
7. Colchester! U. Waltham. 21. Hide. baron of England.
Althouo-h the boroughs of Lancaster, Preston, Liverpool, and Wigan, all returned burgesses
to represent them in Parliament in the reign of Edward I., only the two former of these places
sent members in the reign of the second Edward, and so early as the ninth year of Edward III.
we find the return made by the sheriff of the county, in answer to the parliamentary writ of
summons, states that, " There is not any city or borough in my bailiwick [or county]." It is to
be observed that the writs do not particularise the boroughs that are to return members, but
merely require the sheriff to return two citizens for each city, and two burgesses for each borough,
within his county. In the 36th of Edward III. (1362), the sheriff, in his return, writes upon the
writ " There is not any city or borough in his county from which citizens or burgesses ought, or
are accustomed, to come as this writ requires." In the 38th of Edward III. (1364), the reason for
this negative return is rendered — " There are not any cities or boroughs (in Lancashire) that
ou"-ht, or any of the citizens or burgesses of which are wont, to come to the said Parliament, on
account of their debility or poverty." In the following year (1365) the case is still more strongly
put " There is not any city or borough from which any citizens or burgesses are able or
accustomed to come, according to the tenor of the writ, by reason of their debility and poverty."^
In the 2d of Richard II. (1378-79), when the parliamentary writs were addressed to the Duke ol
Lancaster, this plea of debility is not confined to the county, but is extended to the whole duchy ;
and it is stated that there are not any burgesses in the duchy of Lancaster who were accustomed
to come to our lord the king's Parliament because of their poverty. In the last year of this king's
reign (1399) the plea of poverty is again reduced within the limits of the county, and it is said
that there are not any citizens or burgesses within the county of Lancaster who have been
accustomed in times past to come to any Parliaments. Our ancestors, so far from aspiring to an
increase in their boroughs, were anxious, in the language of modern legislation, to merge those
they had in schedule A, conceiving the cost of their borough members, though limited to the
very moderate sum of two shillings a-day " during Parliaments of comparatively short duration, not
sufficiently repaid by the support of their local interests. On the subject of the payment of wages
to the members of Parliament, considerable light is shed by a petition presented to the king in 8
Henry VI. (1430), by the Commons, and which is expressed in these words — " The Commons pray,
that all cities, boroughs, towns, and hamlets, and the residents within them, except the lords
spiritual and temporal coming to Parhament, and the ecclesiastics, and those cities and boroughs
which find citizens or burgesses for Parliament, shall henceforth for ever contribute to the
expenses of the knights elected, or to be elected, to Parliaments."
For two hundred and fifty years — that is, from the end of the thirteenth to the middle of the
sixteenth century, about one hundred and twenty, or one hundred and thirty, cities and boroughs
in England returned members pretty constantly to Parliament ; and about thirty others returned
them only occasionally, amongst which were the Lancashire boroughs, the sheriffs having taken
upon themselves to dispense with the attendance of members for those boroughs, for the reasons
stated in the writs.
1 The wages to be received by members of Parliament were fixed by new enactment to revive the former usage. The practice had fallen into
the 16th Edward II. (1322) at the low rate of four shillings a day for a knight disuetude some time before this, for Pepys, in his Mary, under dfitc
of the shire, and two shillings a day for a citizen or burgess. There are, Marcli 30th, l{il38, writes: "At dinner we had a great deal of good
liowever, some instances in which a less sum than that established by discourse about Parliament: their number being uncertain and always at
statute was allowed ; and it is on record that in 1403 Sir John Strange, the will of the king to increase, as he saw reason to erect a new boroiigli.
the member for Dunwich, agreed with his constituents to take a cade and i3ut .all concluded that the bane of the Parliament hath been the leaving
half a barrel of heiTings as a composition for his wages. The last formal off the old custom of the places allowing wages to those that served them
payment of wages to a member occurred in ICSl, when Thom.os King, who in Parliament, by which they chose men that understood their business
had been member for Harwich, obtained from the Lord Chancellor a writ and would attend it, and they could expect an account from, which now
de ej'p'^t'sis bergmnlum levandi. After notice to the Corporation of Harwich, they cannot: and so the Parliament is become a company of men unable
Lord Campbell, in his life of Lord Chancellor Nottingham, cites this case, to give account for the interest of the place they serve for," — G.
and expresses an opinion that the writ might still be claimed, without a
CHAP. vni. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
129
The following petition, presented by the Commons to the king in the same year shows that
Prynne has preserved a register of the time allowed to members of Parliament for travelling
from Lancashire to certain places, when the Parliaments were held in those cities, from which it
appears that two, and sometimes three days, were allowed for travelling to York, four days to
Coventry and five or six to London, in ordinary seasons; but in a snow or "foul weather" eight
days was the ^naximum allowance for travelling from hence to a Parliament sitting at Westminster
In 7 ol Henry ^ I (1429) it is asserted m the sheriff's return, notwithstanding the fact to the contrary'
that there is not any city or borough within the county of Lancaster, which was accustomed in
times past to send any citizens or burgesses to Parliament, on account of their poverty and want of
means, and therefore no mention is made of citizens and burgesses, as appears in the indenture
annexed to the writ. Similar language is held in all the returns from Lancashire till 1 Edward VI
1547), when Lancaster, Preston, Liverpool, and Wigan, resumed their elective franchise : and in
1 iilizabeth (15o8-59) Newton and Chtheroe were added to the boroughs of the county Durino-
the Commonwealth two returns were made by Manchester, but that town ceased to return members
at the Restoration.
Richard II.
In the first year of the reign of Richard II. (1377), the king, in his writ of summons for the
duchy of Lancaster, addressed to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and King of Castile and Leon,
after announcing that Charles of France had overrun Flanders, and was meditating an attack upon
the English city of Calais, informed his beloved uncle, that, for the better defence of his kingdom,
and of the Anglican church, and to afford succour to his allies, he designed to embark for the
Continent; and for the good government of the kingdom while he was absent, the duke was
commanded to send from his duchy two knights from the county palatine of Lancaster, two
citizens from each city, and two burgesses from each borough, Avithin the same, to Parliament,
having full power, from him (the duke) and the commons of the duchy, to take the necessary
measures therein. This writ is preserved in the archives of the duchy of Lancaster.^
The members returned to Parliament (Westminster, October 13, 1377) as knights of the shire
for the county of Lancaster, in virtue of the writ, were "Joh'es ISoteler" and "Nich. de
Haveryngton," who, after a session of sixty-six days, received a writ de expensis to the amount
of £26 8s. ; but no citizens or burgesses were returned from any city or borough of the duchy or
county of Lancaster. In the second year of Richard II. (1378) " Joh'es Botiller, Chivaler," and " Rad'us
de Ipre," were returned for the county of Lancaster, at the Parliament which met at Gloucester,
October 20, 1378, as appears from the Roll CI. 2 Rich. II. m. 22 d., on which Prynne observes
that the writ in this roll was issued to the Duke of Lancaster, and to his vicegerent, for the knights
of the duchy ; that in the writ to the duke this clause, " as well within the liberties as beyond," is
omitted, and this clause of exception (inserted in all other writs for knights' expenses in other
counties), " the cities and boroughs of which the citizens and burgesses to our Parliament, etc.,
shall come, so far as excepted," because the sheriffs of Lancashire then and before returned,
" There is not any city nor any borough within the bailiwick from which any citizens or burgesses
to the said Parliament ought (or are wont) to come, because of their weakness or poverty ;"• and in
this very year made this return, " And there are not any citizens or burgesses in the aforesaid
duchy who have been wont to come to any Parliament, because of their poverty and debility."
The other knights of the shire returned for the county of Lancaster during the reign of
Richard II. are enumerated in the following list : —
Knights. Parliament at Wages.
StrdeV^cTyf°..::::::}^-*--'-(^p^^
Ttrs^ithiwoVfh^'^^^^^^^^^ jWestminster, Monday after St. Hilary (Jany. 16, 1380) £24 for 60 days.
CI. 3 R If. m. 18 d.
^ The aheriflfs seem to have erected, nominated, returned, omitted, twenty-six intervening years, other shei-iffs make returns to the effect set
discontinued, revived, and recontinued boroughs, at their own will and forth in the text. — Parliaments and Councils of England, p. 30.
pleasure. Under the three first Edwards, thirteen sheriffs returned '-^ KoU. A, 6. m. 16.
members thirteen times for Lancaster and six times for Preaton ; yet in
18
130 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. viii.
Knights. Parliament at Wages.
Joh'es Botiller, Chivaler ] Northampton, Monday after all Saints (Nov. 5, 1380) £19 : 128. for 49 days
Thoa. de Suthworth, Chivaler. . . / ^^^ ^ ^^ ^ 20 d.
Will de Athirton I Westminster, Morrow of All Souls (Nov. 3, 1381) £38 : Ss. for 96 days.
Eobt. de Urcewyk / ^^ ^ ^ ^^ ^ 22 ^
Eoger de Pylkynton, Chivaler. 1 -Westminster, Morrow of St. John (May 7, 1382) £10 for 25 days.
Robt.de Clifton / CI. 5 R. /I. m. 5 d.
Joh'es Assheton Westminster Monday, Octaves of St. Michael (Oct. 6, 1382) £10 : 16a. for 27 days.
Robert Usewick j ^^ g ^ ^^ ^ ^ ^ ^^ ^
Rio'uB de Hoghton \ Westminster, Monday, three weeks of Quadragesima (Feb. 23, 1383) £10 : 8s. for 36 days.
Robt. de Clifton < J ni a d tt n lo j
CI. 6 Jl. II. p. 2 m. 13 d.
Walterus Urswyk, Chivaler... ) -Westminster, Monday before All Saints (Oct. 26, 1383) £8 : 16s. for 40 days.
John Holcroft ) r,T ~ r, rr ^^ i
CI. I R. II. m. 23 d.
Roger de Pilkington, Chivaler \~^^^ Sarum, Friday after St. Mark (April 29, 1384) £16 for 40 days.
Thos. Gerard J ^, ^ n rr
Robt. Ursewick, Chivaler \ -Westminster, Morrow of St. Martin (Saturday, Nov. 12, 1384) £1 8 for 45 days.
AVill. de Tunstall, Chivaler ...J ' -,, „ „ ,, „_ ,
CI. 8 R. II. til. 27 d.
Robt. Ursewyk, Chivaler 1 -Westminster, Friday after St. Luke (Oct. 20, 1385) £23 : 4s. for 58 days.
Thos. de Radecbffe J " ^, „ „ rr «^ ,
CI. 9 R. II. m. 22 d.
Nic. de Hayeirngton, Chivaler Kygg^.jj^;j^g^ jg(. Q^^^^^j. (^3gg^ £28 for 71 days.
Robt. de Workesley J
CI. 10 R. II. m. 16 d.
Job. le Botiller de Weryngton, \
Chivaler [-Westminster, Morrow of the Purification B. Mary (Monday, Feb. 3, 1388)^ £46 for 115 days.
Thos. Gerard J Cl.UR.IL
Joh. de AshetoDj^ Chivaler | Cantebrigge, Morrow of Nat. B. Mary (Sept. 9, 1388) £18 : 8s. for 46 days.
CI. 12 R. II. m. lid.
j'h'd^ Assheton' Chivaler '' } '^Westminster, Monday after St. Hillary (Jan. 17, 1390) £22 for 56 days.
CI. 13 R. II. p. 2 m. 7 d.
Joh de Croft^hivaler^'^'^ " } Westminster, Morrow of St. Martin (Saturday, Nov. 12, 1390) £30 : 123. for 34 days.
CI. li R. n. m. SO d.
Robt dtworkisk'*^'^"'^^'^'" I Westminster, Morrow of All Souls (Friday, Nov. 3, 1391) £17 for 40 days.
CV. 15 iJ. //. m. 26 d
R^d^'dt^^rTchivfler™'*'^ '" jwynton, Octaves of St. Hillary (Monday, January 20, 1393) £23 for 38 days.
CI. 16 R. II. m.. 19 d
Thas*' GerarXcSvaler !!."!!!'!! } Westminster, fifteen days of St, Hillary (Tuesday, Jan. 27, 1394) £21 for 71 days.
a. 17 R. II. m. 9 d.
Thos' de Radecl'iff^' *^*'''^'*^'''''" | Westminster, fifteen days of St. Hillary (Wednesday, Jan. 27, 1395) £12 : 16s. for 32 days.
CI. 18 R. II. m. 6 d.
Rill! Mdyneux'!^','^!'. .^!!'™'.^^'. ! } Westminster, Feast of St. Vincent (Monday, Jan. 22, 1397) £30 : 12s. for 34 days,
CI. 20 R. 11. p. 2 m. 2 d.
p'v,;«q1oi. ' I Westminster, Monday after Exalt, of Cross (Sept, 7, 1397), and adjourned 1 „,-, „ c >i j„„o
RaddeRadeciiff":::.:.::;::;:::/ to Shrewsbury (MoW Jan. 28, 1398) ..!...'....,: :: \ 1^16 :8s. for 41 dajs.
CI. 21 R. II. p. 2 m. 9 d.
Henry IV.
The duchy of Lancaster being now united with the crown, by the duke having become King of
England, the parliamentary writs of summons, in the first and second years of the reign of Henry
IV., were addressed to the sheriff of Lancaster, and not to the duke. The members for the county
returned in this reign were : —
1 This ParlMment has been called by some historians "The Parlia- In it articles of high treason wore exhibited against the king's ministers
ment that Wrought Wonders," and by others ' ' The Merciless Parliament." who wore, accordingly, sentenced to death or banishment.— G.
f'HAP. vm. THE HISTORY OP LANCASHIRE.
131
Knights. Parliament at Wages.
Robt. deUrsewjk, Chivaler ... 1 ,,, .-.,;,
Hen. de Hoghton, CMvaler ... f "^^^'^^'^''-^O'^^ofSt. Miohael,summoned by RioliardII.(Sep. 30,1399) X26 : 16a. for 71 days.
a. 1 Hen. IV. P. 1 m. 21 d.
™T,„™^!''°^ ^f'^'^T^ "■' n^^''^,"^ on the 29th September ; the Parliament met on the 30th, but oaly sat' for' a single day'
SctXth, fsoTTlCy l7)" ""'■'"* '^'"■'^"^"*-" ^"°^"^'' ^^'•""'-«"* ™« -— «^' *° --* ^* WeBt^in.tel'
Robt. de Ursewyke, Chivaler.. 1 ttt t - i r^ ,
Nich. de Atherton, Chivaler .../ *^ ^^*™"^'^«'"' Octaves of St. Hillary (Jan. 20, 1401) £34 : Ifis. for 66 days.
CI. 2 H. IV. P. 1 m. 3 d.
No returns found Westminster (Jany. 30, 1402) Z II. IV
Rich, de Hoghton, Chivaler ... 1 TIT x ■ t
Nic. de Haveryngton, Chivaler / "'^^*™"'^'^^''> Morrow of St. Michael (Sept. 30, 1402) £27 for 69 days.
a. 4 H. IV. m. 34 d.
Rad. de Radeolyff. Chivaler ... 1 ,,- . . . ,, , ., „ „
Robt. Laurence | AA estmmster, Morrow of St. Hillary (Jan. 14, 1404) £31 : 123. for 69 days.
CI. 5 H. IV. P. m. 10 d.
Jao. Harryngton, Chivaler l „ , ,.,, ,„i, ,,„„
Rad Staveley, Chivaler J- Coventry (6th of October, 1404) £8 : 8s. for 46 days.
a 6 ff. IV. m. 5 d.
/\\estmm6ter (Monday, 1st March, 1406) \
Will Botiller ) Adjourned to 25th April /
Kob't. Lawrence"!;;!";;!:!!;:! ^ Adjourned to 4th June V£71 ;123. for 189 days.
I Adjourned to 2och Oct. |
V Adjourned to 22nd Deo )
CI. 8 ff. IV. m. 7 d.
LTSn^TeV^cSe;"!!! I^loucester (20th October, 1407) £21 :12s. for 54 days.
CI. 9 H. IV. m. 8 d.
No returns found Westminster (Jan. 27, 1410) 11 //. IV.
Johannes de Assheton,^
Chivaler ^ Westminster (Nov. 3, 1411) IZ II. IV.
Johannes del Bothe )
To the Parliament held at Coventry in the sixth year of this monarch's reign (1404), the sheriffs
were commanded not to return any lawyers — persons learned in the law. Lord Chancellor Beaufort,
in framing the writs of summons, illegally inserted a prohibition that any apprentice or other man
of the law should be elected, and hence this Parliament was called " The Lack-learning
Parliament" (Parliamentum Indoctuin.). Lord Campbell says the recklessness of the Commons
may have arisen from their not having a single lawyer among them.
Henry V.
The first return made in this reign (1 Henry V., May 14, 1413) of the knights of the shire for
Lancashire transmits the names of " Joh. Assheton and Joh. de Stanley, chivalers." By a. striking
siagularity the indenture mentions only the name of Sir John Stanley, and entirely omits that of
his colleague, stating that Nich. Longford, knight, and all others named in the indenture after him,
with unanimous consent and agreement, have made a free election, and given to John Stanley the
younger full power to become a knight in the Parliament to be held at Westminster, to answer for
themselves and all theirs, and for all the commons in the county of Lancaster, in those matters
which, under favour of the king, shall happen to be ordained in Parliament. The corresponding
indenture is lost.
In the next Parliament, "Rad. de Radcliff" and "Nich. Blundell " are returned as knights of the shire for this county
January 29, 1414. (2 Henry V.)
2 Henry V Johannes de Stanley, Robertas Lawrence, pec i«c?e»< (November 19, 1414.) '
3 HenrvV. No returns found (October 21, 1415.)
3 Henry V do (March 16, 1416.)
4 Henry V do (October 19, 1416.)
5 Henry V do" (November 16, 1417.)
7 Henry V. ' Nioholaus Botiller de RoucHf, Johannes Laurence (October 16, 1419.)
8 Henry V Ricardus de Shirburne, Johannes del Bothe (December 2, 1420.)
9 Henry V Thomas de Radclyf, miles, Thomas de Urswyk (May 2, 1421.)
9 Henry V. Johannes Byrom, Chivaler, Ricardus de Sherburn (December 1, 1421.)
■ At this election, eighteen electors, in full county court, with other "honest men and lieges" ol the coimty of Lancaster, elected the knights
Parliaments and Councils qf England, p. 28.
132 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. vm.
Henry VI.
The members returned to represent the county of Lancaster in this reign were —
1 Henry VI Tbos. de Urswyk, Johannes Gerard del Bryn, armig (November 9, 1422.)
2 Henry VI Thomas de Radclyf, chiv., Radulphus de Iladclyf del Smethelles (October 20, 1423.)
3 Henry YI Kadulphus fil. Necholai de Longford, miles, Ricardus de Radclyf
de Radclyf, armig (April 30, 1425.)
4 Henry VI Johannes Botiller de Beausee, Nicholaus Botiller de Raucliff (February 18, 1426.)'
6 Henry VI Radulphus de Radclif, chiv., Thomas de Stanley (October 13, 1427.)
8 Henry VI Johannes Byron, miles, Robertus fil. Roberti Laurence, miles ... (October 13, 1429.)
9 Henry VI Johannes de Morley, Willielnius Gernet (January 12, 1431.)
10 Henry VI Willielmus de Assheton, miles, Thomas de Haryngton (May 12, 1432.)
11 Henry VI Thomas de Stanley, chiv., Thomas de Eadchf, chiv (July 8, 1433.)
14 Henry VI Henricus de Halaall, Thomas Laurence (October 10, 1435.)
15 Henry VI Thomas de Haryngton, Henricus de Halsall (January 21, 1437.)
18 Henry VI No returns found (November 12, 1439.)
20 Henry VI Thomas de Stanleigh, miles, Thomas de Haryngton de Hornebe (January 25, 1442.)
23HenryVI No returns found (February 25, 1445.)
25 Henry VI Thomas Stanley, knight, Thomas Harrington, 'Esq., per iTident. . (February 10, 1447.)
27 Henry VI The same persons (February 12, 1449.)
28 Henry VI Thomas Stanley, Johes. Butler, knights, per indent (November 6, 1449.)
29 Henry VI Thomas Stanley, Ricardus Haryngton, knights, jjer mffe»f (November 6, 1450.)
31 Henry VI No returns found (March 6, 1453.)
33 Henry VI Thomas Stanley, Alexander Radcliff, knights (July 9, 1455.)
38 Henry VI Richus. Harrington, knight, Henry Halaall, ^er iracfeni (November 20, 1459.)-
39 Henry VI Eiclid. Haryngton, knight, Henry Halsall (October 7, 1460.)
In the seventh year of this king's reign (1428-9) the qualification of electors for counties, which
had hitherto been undefined, was fixed by an Act of Parliament, which ordains that " the knights
shall be chosen in every county by people dwelling and residing in the same county, whereof every
one of them shall have land or tenement of the value of forty shillings by the year, at the least,
over and above all charges," which is explained, by an Act of the 10th (1431-2) of the same king
to mean fi'eeholds of that value within the county for which the election is to be made. Hitherto
all the freeholders, without exception, had claimed the right of voting for county members, in
consequence of which, it is alleged, great outrages had arisen, " whereby manslaughter, riots,
batteries, and divisions among the gentlemen and other people of the said counties shall very
lilcely arise and be, unless convenient and due remedy be provided in this behalf." From the reign
of Henry VI. to the present time [1886], no change has been judged necessary in this qualification,
though the nominal money equivalent has in the meantime greatly increased. '
The agitation of the kingdom at this period, arising out of the wars between the houses of
York and Lancaster, seems to have given rise to a violent stretch of the royal prerogative, the
king having, of his own authority, summoned members to Parliament ; and hence an Act of
indemnity was passed 23 Henry VI. (1445), which provides, " that all such knights of any county,
as are returned to the Parliament by virtue of the king's letters, without any other election, shall
be good, and that no sheriff, for returning them, do incur the pains therefore provided." ■"
•
Edward IV.
The members returned for the county of Lancaster in this reign were — ■
1 Edward IV No returns found (November 4, 1161.)
3 Edward IV No returns found (April 29, 1463.)
7 Edward IV James Haryngton, Knt., William Haryngton, Knt (June 3, 1467.)
9 Edward IV No returns found (1469.)
10 Edward IV No returns found (November 26, 1470.)
12 Edward IV Robert Harynton, John Assheton (October 6, 1472.)
17 Edward IV George Stanley, Knt., James Haryngton, Knt (January 16, 1478.)
22 Edward IV No returns found (1483.)
From 17 Edward IV. (1478) to 37 Henry VIII. (154.5) all the returns, with the exception of a
few fragments of those of the Parliament of 1542-4, have hitherto been supposed to be irretrievably lost.
Within that period seventeen ParHaments Avere summoned and dissolved, viz., the 17 and 22
1 CaUed "The Parliament of Bats," from the circumstance that ' In the original edition Mr. Baines states that since the reign of
orders were sent to the members that they shoiild not wear sword.s, so Henry VI. "the value of money has in the me;mtime incremed UnfoU."
they came to the Parliament, which met at Leicester, with long st.aves, The eiTor is in uaini? tho term " value " instead of ' ' nominal equivalent."
and when these staves or bats were prohibited they had recourse to The truth is, that £5 in the reign of Henry VI, would have purchased 15
stones and leaden plummets. -C. quarters of wheat, which, for 20 years before 1707 (when Fleetwood wrote
u , ?T: I''?'«'''=''*1 Parliament, m which it was enacted that all his Ckronicon Preciosum) cost «30. In other words, from Henry VI. to
such knights of any county as were returned to the Parliament by virtue J707 the value of money had decreaml sixfold, instead of inamshw ten-
of the kings letters, without any other election, should be good, .and fold. What is meant is, that the equivalent of £6 temn. Henry VI. was
that no sheriff, for returning them, should incur the penalties therefor £30 in 1707-a sixfold increase in nominal amouut.-H.
provided by the 23 Henry VI. The queen, Margaret of Anjou, and her ' Sir Robert Cotton's .\bridgemeiit, p. (i(>4.
party earned all before them, from which circumst.anco, and the measures
carried, it was called ParUuuLaUaiit, dkUjoUci'Jii. — 0.
CHAP. VIII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
133
•Edward IV.; 1 Richard III; 1, 3, 7, 11, and 12 lienrv VII • and ] 3 fi u 91 9s ^i qq j
37 Henry VIII. Fortunately a list of the Parhament 'of 21' HenryS'il'i. '('15 '-.S h as witMn
recent years been found among Lord Denbigh's papers, which happily preserves the names of ha
his oncal assembly, a^d this has been included in the Blue Boorreturns issued by oX of the
House of Commons, March, 1878. Since the publication of that volume a discovery has been made
of the greater part of the returns of Henry VIII.'s last Parhament, which was originally summoned
to meet at Westminster, January 30, 1544-5, but by prorogation was adjourned to Westmhister
October lo, 1.4.., thence by further prorogation to New WiSdsor, November 23, 1545, and by final
writs to meet at Westminstei- instead of New Windsor, November 23, 1545. It was dissolved in
consequence of the kmg s death, January 31 1546-7. From these recently-discovered documents we
get the following returns of the members elected for Lancashire :—
11 w^"'"^ vnr Henricus Fai-yington, armiger, Andreas Barton, armiger (November 3 1529 )
37 Henry ^ III Thomas Holoroft, miles, Johannes Kechyn, armiger.. (November 23 1515 )
From 1 Edvjard VI. (1547) to 16 Charles L (1640) the writs are regular, and the following are
the members returned as knights of the shire for Lancashire :— °
7 IrtZrd VI Thurston Tyldesley,Esq.--John Kecliyn, Esq (November 4, 1547.)
7l!.dwardVI Richard Houghton (m wlio.se place Robert Worsley, Knt. )—Tho.
Butler, Esq (March 1 1553 )
I'^fl ^[cM Sherborne Knt.- John Rygmayden the Eider,'EsqV'y.y.'.'. (Ootober'5, 1553.)
Ifary Tho. Stanley, Knt.—Tho. Langton, Knt fOctober 2 1 'i'ii (
If 2Ph lip and Mary Tho. Stanley Knt.-John Holfroft Knt. ....,.■.■.■.■.•■.■.■■.■.■ (November I'' 1554 1
2&3PhihpandMary Tho. Stanley, Knt.-Will. Stanley, Knt (oSr 21 1555 1
4 &5 Philip and Mary Tho. Talbot, Knt.-John Holcroft, sen., Knt .■.■.'■.'..■.'.■.'.'■.■.' (Januarv 2o' 1558)
J?^''^.'? John Atherton, Knt.-Rob. Worseley, Knt (January 23! 1559.)
5 Ehzabeth Tho. Gerard, Knt.— John Southworth, Knt (Januarv 10 1563 )
13 Elizabeth Tho. Butler-John Radcliffe, Esq. (1571 )
14 Elizabeth John Radcliff, Esq.— Edm. Trafford, Esq., Master of the Rolls ... (May 8, 1572 )
2/ Elizabeth Gilbert Gerard, Knt.— Rich. Molineux., of Sefton (November 23 1584)
28Elizabeth John Atherton, Esq.— Rich. Holland, Esq (October 15 1586 )
SlEUzabeth Tho. Gerard, son of Sir Gilbert Gerard, Knt.— Tho. Walmesley,
„^^,. , ^, serjeant-at-law (November 12, 1588.)
35 Elizabeth Tho. Molineux, Knt.— Tho. Gerard, jun., Knt. (February 19 1593)
39 Elizabeth Tho. Gerard, jun., Knt., of Astley, Marshal of the Household.—
Robt. Hesketh, Esq., of Rufforthe , (February 9 1598.)
43 Elizabeth Rich. Houghton, Knt.— Tho. Hesketh, Attorney of the Court of '
Wards (October 27, 1601.)
1 James I Rich. Molineux, Knt. — Rich. Houghton, Knt (March 13, 1604.)
12 James I Gilbert Houghton, Knt.— John Radcliff, Knt (April 5, 1614.)"
18 James I John Radcliff, Knt. — Gilbert Houghton, Knt (January 16, 1621.)
21 James I John Radcliff, Knt. — Tho. Walmesley, Knt (February 12, 1624.)
1 Charles I Rich. Molineux, Bart.— John Radcliff, Knt (May 17, 1625.)
1 Charles I Rob. Stanley, Esq.— Gilbert Houghton, Knt (February 6, 1626.)
3 Charles I Rich. Molineux, Knt. and Bart.— Alex. Radcliff, Knight of the Bath (March 17, 1628.)
16 Charles I Gilbert Houghton, Knt. and Bart.— Will, ffarrington, Esq (April 13, 1640.)^
16 Charles I Ralph Ashton, Esq. — Roger Kirkby, Esq. — Rich. Houghton, Esq.,
mce Roger Kirkby, disabled to serve (Novembers, 1640.)^
In 15 Henry VIII. (1523) Sir Thomas More, then chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, held
the office of speaker of the House of Commons. The learned chancellor's connection with the duchy
has led to the mistake that he represented Lancashire in Parliament, and consequently that this
county has had the honour to supply a member to the speaker's chair ; but this is an error.
In 1 Edward VI. (1547) writs of parliamentary summons were issued to Lancaster, Preston,
Liverpool, and Wigan ; and each of these places at that period, if not earlier, resumed, by royal
authority, the elective franchise. Queen Elizabeth, in the first year of her Majesty's reign,
made a further accession to the Lancashire boroughs by the addition of Newton and Clitheroe ;
and all these six boroughs regularly returned members to Parliament from that time until the
passing of the Reform Act of 1832, when Newton was disfranchised and Clitheroe deprived of one
member ; but by the same Act it was provided that two members should be given respectively to
Manchester, Oldham, Bolton, and Blackburn, and one each to Salford, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bury,
Rochdale, and Warrington.
' Prior to the meeting of this Parliament certain of the King's ^ "The Long Parliament," which many thought " would never have
ministers, among them Bacun and Somerset, undertook to manage tlie had a beginning, and afterwards that it would never have had an end."
Commons so as to secure tlie passing of the votes desired. The promise When the members were about to meet, on the 6th December, 1G4S,
became known out of doors, and the ministers, in consequence, were Colonel Pride sarrounded the House with two regiments, and excluded 160
nick -named "undertakers." It was summoned in the expectation that members. *' Pride's Purge," as it was called, was followed by the arbitrary
it would grant supplies, but instead of this the members insisted on the act of Cromwell, who, on the 20th April, 1G53, violently dispersed the
previous discussion of grievances, and as it proved obdurate, it was members, and called upon Col. Charles Worsley, afterwards member for
dissolved on the 7th June, without having passed a single hill, and from Manchester, who had command of the soldiery, to "take away the baiible."
this circumstance was called " The Addled Parliament."— C. After many vicissitudes, in which fragments of this Parliament were
2 Called "The Short Parhament," from its being dissolved after a called together again and again for special purposes, the appearance of
Eossion of three weeks —C. legal dissolution was given by a bill for "Dissolving the Parliament begun
and holden at Westminister, 3rd of November, lliiO, and that the day of
dissolution shah be from this day, March 16th, 1659 " (-60).— C.
134 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. oiiap. vitt.
It appears that nomination boroughs were perfectly familiar so early as the reign of Elizabeth ;
and it is probable that both Newton and Clitheroe always partook of this character; but the most
flagrant instance of the kind upon record in these early times is to be found in a bundle of returns
of parliamentary writs in 14 Queen Elizabeth (157:2), which, thouo-h unconnected Avith the county
of Lancaster, may not inaptly be introduced in this place. The document is in the chapel of the
Rolls, and is expressed in the following terms : —
" To all Christian people to whom this present Writing shall come : I, Dame Dorothy Packington, widow, late wife of Sir John
Packington, Kt., Lord and Owner of the Town of Aylesbury, send greeting. Know ye Me, the said Dame Dorothy Packington, to
have chosen, named, and appointed my trusty and well-beloved Thomas Litchfield and George Burden, Esqrs. to be my Burgesses of
my said town of Aylesbury. And whatsoever the said Thomas and George, Burgesses, shall do in the Service of the Queen's
Highness in that present Parliament, to be holden at Westminster the Eighth day of May next ensuing the Date hereof, I, the same
Dorothy Packington, do ratify and approve to be my own Act, as fully and wholly as if I were or might be present there. In
WITNESS whereof, to these presents I have set my Seal this Fourth Day of May, in the Fourteenth Year of the Reigu of our Sovereign
Lady Elizabeth, by the Grace of God, of England, France, and Ireland Queen, Defender of the Faith, etc."
In the 26th year of this queen's reign (1584) a very extraordinary claim was set up to
parliamentary nomination by Sir Ralph Sadler, "a knight of noted virtue," in respect of his office
of chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, which was no less than the right to nominate both the
members to represent the borough of Leicester in Parliament. The account given in the archives
of the borough of this claim, and of the manner in which it was disposed of, is as follows : — •
" Nov. 12, 26 Eliz. — At a common hall, the sheriff's precept being read, and after that Sir Ralph Sadler's letter for nomination
of both our burgesses, and other letters ; it is agreed, that Sir Ralph S;idler, knight, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, shall have
the nomination of one of the burgesses ; who thereupon nominated Henry Skipwith, Esq. ; and the other chosen was Thomas
Johnson, one of her Majesty's serjeants-at-arms ; and either of them promised to bear their own charges."
On what authority the chancellor grounded his pretensions to nominate members for Leicester,
except that it is within the duchy of Lancaster, does not appear, nor does it appear that any
similar claim was ever made by any other chancellor, either before or since. It may be inferred
from the corporation record that members began about this time to serve without wages ; and it is
probable that the practice was gradually discontinued, till at length it wholly ceased.
Commonwealth.
The following are the names of the members for the county of Lancaster elected during the
Commonwealth : —
1653. Will. West, John Sawry, Rob. Cunliss. (July 4.)
[The name of " Praise God Barebone," occurs in this Parliament in the list of London members.]
1654. Rich. Holland, Gilbert Ireland, Rich. Standish, Will. Ashurst. (Sep. 3.)
1656. Sir Rich. Houghton, Bart. Col. Gilbert Ireland, Col. Rich. Holland, Col. Rich. Standish. (Sep 17.)
1658-9. George Book [ ? Rooke], Bart. ; Alex. Rigby, Esq. ( Jany. 27.) '
11 Charles II.^ to 30 Victoria.
The Parliament of 1G53 was a packed Parliament, returned by Cromwell, the Lord Protector,
and consisted of only one hundred and twenty-one members, of whom one hundred and ten were
for England, five each for Scotland and Ireland, and one for Wales. In 1654 the right of election
was again partially restored, the number of members being augmented to four hun3.red, of whom
two hundred and seventy were chosen by the counties ; the remainder were elected by London and
other considerable corporations and towns, Manchester and Leeds being amongst the number. To
the Parliament of 1653 neither Lancaster, Preston, Liverpool, Wigan, or Clitheroe sent any members,
but the county returned three ; to those of 1654 and 1656 Lancaster, Preston, Liverpool, and
Wigan sent each one member, and the county four. To the ParHament of 1658-9 Lancaster,
Preston, Liverpool, Wwan, and Newton sent two members each, and the county two ; but no
return was made for Clitheroe during the whole period of the Commonwealth. Though the
Government professed to be popular, the elective franchise was very much abridged during this
period, and an estate of two hundred pounds value was necessary to confer the rio-ht of votinc In
other respects the elections were unobjectionable except that all those who had carried" arms
against the Parliament, as well as their sons, were prohibited from voting at the elections.
CromJSi' "bl*L°^rac?'j;f Ood V^"r?fT^f'« !'^?,''^""= "^ ^khard privilege ; Manchester, Leeds, Halifax ceased to retm-n members; audtho
EnXnd Scoaind aS IreHnd and the dm^^ ° "2"°'^ "^ "''"''^ ^^= =^8'''° '"""^d to two Icnights. Macaulay s;vys the
It l?a^ a uniaue chapter for w^^^^^ belonging. chango was extremely popular, ,9 being the Restoration of a system
CHAP. vni.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
I5.j
presenf timV:^ ^''''^^*' ""^ *^' '^''' ^""^ ^^'' '°""*^ °^ Lancaster, from the Restoration to the
Sir Roger Bradshaw Edward Stanley.
The same The same.
Peter Bold Charles Gerrard.
Charles Gerard Sir Charles Hoghton.
bir Charles Houghton The same.
Sir Roger Eradshaw James Holt.
Lord Brandon Sir Charles Houghton.
James Stanley, Charles, Lord Brandon., Ralph Assheton, vice Chas. Lord
Brandon, called to Upper House
_, as Earl of Macclesfield.
Tne same The same.
The same Fitton Garrerd.
^he same Robert Bold.
The same The same.
Tliesame The same.
The same Richard Shuttleworth of Gaw-
thorpe.
The same The same.
The same The same.
Sir John Bland, of Hulme The same.
The same The same.
The same The same.
Sir Edward Stanley The same.
The same The same.
Lord Strange The same.
The same The same.
The same Peter Bold of Bold.
The same James Shuttleworth.
J. Smith (Lord Strange) James Shuttleworth, Esq.
The same Lord Arch. Hamilton.
Richard L. V. Molyneux Sir Thomas Egerton, Bart.
Edward Smith Stanley (Lord Stanley).. The same.
Hon. Thomas Stanley, vice Edward Smith Stanley, called to the Upper House.
Thomas Stanley, of Cross Hall, Esq., vice Thomas Stanley, deceased.
The same SirThomasEgerton,Bart.,ot Heaton
The same John Blaokburne, Esq., of Hale.
The same The same.
The same The same.
The same The same.
The same The same.
The same ... The same.
The same The same.
Lord Stanley „ The same.
The same The same.
The same The same.
The same j The same.
The same John Wilson Patten, Esq.
The same Benjamin Hey wood, Esq.
Of all the old Lancashire boroughs Liverpool may be said to have risen most into eminence ;
and for this distinction it seems indebted rather to the local advantages of its marine situation than
to its chartered privileges. Preston has at all times occupied a high station amongst the towns of
the county ; but for several centuries it was perfectly stationary in its wealth and population ; and
it was not till its corporate restrictions were materially relaxed that it began to increase in either.
The other old boroughs of the county have not undergone any material changes in the lapse of ages,
while a number of the other towns of Lancashire have sprung into existence and been increasing
within the last century in a ratio altogether unexampled.
For many years, and indeed for some ages before the Reform Act of 1832, the political character
of the county representation displayed itself in a division of the return of members between the
Stanley family, as the head of the Whig party, and the Blackburnes, of Hale Hall, as representing
the Tory interest ; but at the general election in 1831 the disposition of the county in favour of the
then pending reform bill (of which the most conspicuous features were its disfranchising the decayed
boroughs, and conferring the elective franchise on many of the populous unrepresented towns of
the county) was so strong, that this tacit arrangement was no longer acted upon, but two members
were returned, both of them in favour of the new system.
That " poverty and debility," which for so long a period induced the inhabitants of all the
parliamentary boroughs in the county of Lancaster to suffer their elective rights to sink into
abeyance now no longer exists, but has given place to an amount of wealth and population which
fully entitles most of its boroughs and several other towns in the county to send their repre-
sentatives to the national councils. By the provisions of the Reform Act of 1832, 2 Will. IV
12 Charles II 1660.
13 Charles II 1661
29 Charles II 1678!
81 Charles II 1679
S3 Charles II I68l!
1 James II 168.5.
8 James II 1688.
2 "William and Mary 1690.
7 William III 1695
10 William III 1698
12 William III i7oi'
13 William III 1701.
1 Anne 1702.
4 Anne 1705.
7 Anne 1708.
9 Anne 1710.
12 Anne 1713.'
1 George 1 1715.
8 George 1 1722.
1 George II 1727.
3 George II 1734.
15 George II 1741.
21 George II 1747.
27 George II 1754.
1 George III 1761.
2 George III 1762.
8 George III 1768.
15 George III 1774.
21 George III 1780.
24 George III 1784.
30 George III 1790.
36 George III 1796.
41GeorgeIII 1801.
42 George III 1802.
46 George III 1806.
47 George III 1807.
53 George III 1812.
58 George III 1818.
1 George IV 1820.
7 George IV 1826.
1 William IV 1830.
: WiUiam IV 1831.
136
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. VIII.
cap. 45, passed 7th June, the representation of the county of Lancaster and its boroughs stood
thus : — „ ,
Members.
Lancaster, Preston, Liverpool, and Wigan (2 members each, and unaltered) 8
Newton (disfranchised)
Clitheroe, instead of two members, to return 1
Lancashire, instead of two members, to return —
North Lancashire 2
South Lancashire ■ 2
New Boroughs.
Manchester 2
Ashton-under-Lyne 1
Bolton-le-Moors 2
Blackburn 2
Bury 1
Oldham 2
Rochdale • • • • ^
Salfbrd 1
Warrington 1
26
Before the Reform Act, Lancashire and its boroughs returned 14 members to Parliament ; so
that the increased number for the county and boroughs by that Act was 12, or nearly double.
Members Elected since the Passing of the Eepobm Act, 1832.
Since the passing of the Reform Act in 1832, there have been fourteen Parliaments, the
general elections for which were in December 1832, January 1835, August 1837, July 1841,
August 1847, July 1852, March 1857, April 1859, July 18G5, November 1868, February 1874,
April 1880, November 1885, and July 1886. The first two of these Parliaments were in the reign
of William IV., the last twelve in that of her present Majesty ; and the Parliament elected in July,
1886, is styled the twelfth Parliament of Queen Victoria. As in 1832 a new Parliamentary era
commenced, we give the numbers of registered electors in 1832 and 1865, and the number of votes
polled for each candidate at every contested election. By the Reform Act the county of Lancaster
was separated into two divisions for representative and electoral purposes, usually termed North
and South Lancashire.
Lancashire, North (Two Members).
Electors in 1832, 6,593— in 1865, 13,006.
Elections.
1832, Dec. Eight Hon. E. G. Stanley (L)
John Wilson Patten (C)
On Mr. Stanley becoming Colonial Secretary ■
1833, March. Right Hon. E. G. Stanley (L)
1835, Jan. Lord Stanley (L)
John Wilson Patten (C)
1837, Aug. LordStanley (L)
Elections.
1832, Dec.
Lancashire, South (Two Members).
Electors in 1832, 10,039— in 1865, 21,555.
(C)
(C)
(C)
(C)
John Wilson Patten .
1841, July. Lord Stanley
John AVilson Patten
On Lord Stanley again becoming Colonial Secre-
tary :
1841, Sept. Lord Stanley
On LordStanley'sacceptingtheChiltern Hundreds
and being then created a peer :
1844, Sept. J. Talbot Clifton (Protec.)
1847, Aug. J. Wilson Patten (C)
James Heywood (L)
1852, July. John Wilson Patten .'.,' (C)
James Heywood (L)
1857, March. John AMlson Patten (C)
Lord Cavendish (L)
1859, April. John Wilson Patten (C)
Marquis of Hartington (L)
1865, July. John Wilson Patten (C)
Marquis of Hartington (L)
On Mr. Patten accepting the Chancellorship of the
Duchy of Lancaster :
1867, July. John Wilson Patten (C)
1835, Jan,
1837, Aug.
1841, July.
1844,
1846.
184?;
]847,
1852,
1857,
George W. Wood
Viscount Molyneux
Sir T. Hesketh, Bart
Lord Francis Egerton
Hon. R. Bootle Wilbraham
Viscount Molyneux
George W. Wood
Lord F. Egerton
Hon. R. Bootle Wilbraham
Edward Stanley
Charles Towneley
Lord Francis Egerton
Hon. R. Bootle Wilbraham
On decease of Mr. Wilbraham :
May. William Entwisle
William Brown
On Lord Francis Egerton becoming Earl of
Ellesmere :
June. William Brown
Aug. William Brown
Hon. C. P. Villiers
On Mr. Villiers electing to sit for Wolver-
hampton :
Dec. Alexander Henry
July. William Brown
John Cheetham
March. William Brown
John Cheetham
(L) 5694
(L) 5576
(C) 3082
(C) 5620
(C) 4729
(L) 4626
(L) 4394
(C) 7822
(C) 7645
(L) 6676
(L) 6044
(C)
(C)
(C) 7571
(L) 6973
(L)
(L)
(L)
(L)
(L)
(L)
(L.)
(L)
CHAP. VIII.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
137
7470
6983
6835
6753
9714
Elections. Lancashire, South — con.
1865, July. Hon. Algernon F. Egerton (G) 9167
Charles Turner (C) 8801
Right. Hon. W. E. Glladetone (L) 8786
William John Legh (C) 8476
H. Yates Thompson (L) 7703
James P. Heywood (L) 7653
Meeting. Lancasliire, South — con.
1859, April. Hon. Algernon F. Egerton (C)
"William John Legh (C)
John Cheetham (L)
J. Pemberton Heywood (L)
A third seat having been granted to this
constituency :
1861,. Aug. Charles Turner (LC)
John Cheetham (L)
Under the provisions of the Representation of the Reople Act, 1867, the county was divided
into four separate constituencies, viz.. North, North-east, South-east, and South-west Lancashire,
two representatives being assigned to each. By the same Act an additional member each was given
to Liverpool, Manchester, and Salford; Lancaster was deprived of its two representatives (for
bribery),_ one each being given to Burnley and Stalybridge, the last-named borough being partly in
Lancashire and partly in Cheshire.
_ After the passing of the Representation of the People Act, 1867, the elections for the several
divisions of the county were as under : —
1874, Feb.
(C)
(C)
(L)
(C)
Electimis. North Lancashire :
1868, Nov. Capt. Hon. Fredk. A. Stanley
Rt. H©n. John Wilson-Patten
Marquis of Hartington
Capt. Hon. F. A. Stanley, Unopposed
Et. Hn. J. Wilson-Patten, Unopposed (C)
Oh Mr. Wilson-Patten being created Baron
AVinmarleigh, a new writ was issued :
1874, March. Thomas Henry Clifton, Unopposed .
1880, April. Right Hon. Fredk. A. Stanley
Major-Gen. Eandle Joseph Feilden...
Thomas Storey
(C)
(C)
(C)
(L)
North-East Lancashire :
1868, Nov.
1874, Feb.
1880, April.
Elections. South-East Lancashire :
6832 1868, Nov. Hon. Algernon Fulke Egerton (U) 8290
6681 John Snowdon Henry (G) 8012
6296 Eight Hon. Frederick Peel (L) 7024
Henry Yates Thompson (L) 6953
1874, Feb. Lieut.-Gol. Hon. Algernon F. Egerton (C) 9187
Edward Hardcastle (G) 9015
Peter Rylands (L) 7464
John Edward Taylor (L) 7453
8^72 1880, April. Robert Leake (L) 11313
7505 WilliamAgnew (L) 11291
geoo Hon. Algernon Fulke Egerton (G) 10569
Edward Hardcastle (G) 10419
Sowlh- West Lancashire :
3612 1868, Nov. Richard Assheton Cross (G) 7729
3594 Charles Turner (C) 7676
3463 Rt. Hon. Wm. Ewart Gladstone (L) 7415
3441 Henry R. Grenfell (L) 6939
4578 1874, Feb. Richard Assheton Cross, Unopposed (G)
4488 Charles Turner, Unopposed (G)
4401 On the death of Mr. Charles Turner, a new
4297 writ was issued :
6682 1 875, Nov. Col. John Ireland Blackburne, Unop. (G)
6513 1880, April. Rt. Hon. Sir E. A. Cross, G.C.B. ... (G) 11420
5231 Colonel John Ireland Blackburne ... (C) 10905
5183 William Rathbone (L) 96.i6
Hon. Henry H. Molyneux (L) 9207
Under the Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885 (48 and 49 Vic. c. 23), the distribution of seats
was changed, and the aggregate representation increased from 33 to 57 members. Under its pro-
visions the borough of Clitheroe ceased to return a member, and became merged in its division of
the county ; the borough of Wigan was deprived of one member, and an increased number of repre-
sentatives was given to the boroughs of Liverpool (six), Manchester (three), and Salford (one) ; and
Barrow-in-Furness and St. Helens were created parliamentary boroughs with one member each.
The county now returns 23 members, viz., one each for the North Lonsdale, Lancaster,^ Blackpool,
and Chorley divisions of North Lancashire ; one each for the Darwen, Clitheroe, Accrington, and
Rossendale divisions of North-east Lancashire ; one each for the Westhoughton, Heywood, Middle-
ton, Radclifie-cum-Farnworth, Eccles, Stretford, Gorton, and Prestwich divisions of South-east
Lancashire ; and one each for the Southport, Ormskirk, Bootle, Widnes, Newton, Ince, and Leigh
divisions of South-west Lancashire. The boroughs return 34 members, viz., Liverpool (nine), Man-
chester (six), Salford (three), Blackburn, Bolton, Oldham, and Preston (two each) ; and Ashton-
under-Lyne, Barrow-in-Furness, Burnley, Bury, Rochdale, St. Helens, Warrington, and Wigan
(one each).
Since the passing of the Act the elections for the several divisions of the county have been as
follows : —
James Maden Holt (C)
J. P. Chamberlain Starkie (C)
Sir Ughtred Jas. Kay-Shuttleworth . (L)
William Fenton.... (L)
James Maden Holt (G)
J. P. Chamberlain Starkie (C)
Sir Ughtred Jas. Kay-Shuttleworth . (L)
Lord Edward Cavendish (L)
Marquis of Hartington (L)
Frederick William Grafton ( L)
William Farrer Ecroyd (C)
J. P. Chamberlain Starkie (C)
Elections. Div. North Lancashire. Elections.
1885, Nov. North Lonsdale. W. G. Ainslie (C) 4168 1885, Nov.
(one) Sir Farrer Herschell ... (L) 8941
1886, July. W. G. Ainslie (C) 4063 1886, July.
W. M. Edmunds (GL) 3263
19
Div. North Lancashire— con.
Lancaster Major G. B. H. Marton (C) 4387
J. G. M'Coan (L) 3530
J. Williamson (GL) 3886
Col. G. B. H. Marton... (C) 3691
138
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. VIIL
Electimis. Dir. North Lancashire — con.
1885, Nov. Blackpool Colonel Rt. Hon. Fredk.
A. Stanley, Unop. ... (C)
1886, July. Colonel Rt. Hon. Fredk.
A. Stanley, Unop. ... (C)
Accepted the Chiltern Hundreds on being
created a peer.
1886, Aug. Blackpool Sir Matthew AVhite
Ridley, Bart (C) 6263
J. 0. Pilkington (GL) 2513
1885, Nov. Chorley Lieut.-Gen.R. J.Feilden (C) 5867
H.Wright (L) 2808
1886, July. Lieut.-Gen. Randle J.
Feilden, Unopposed . (C)
Smith-East Lancashire — con.
North-East Lancashire
1885, Nov.
1886, July.
1885, Nov.
1886, April.
Darwen Vi.%count Cranborne ...
John Gerald Potter ...
Viscount Cranborne . . .
John Slagg
Clitheroe Sir Ughtred Jas. Kay-
Shuttleworth
J. 0. S. Thursby
Sir U. J. Kay-Shuttle-
worth
On appointment as Chancellor of the Duchj'
of Lancaster re-elected unopposed.
1886, July. Clitheroe Sir U. J. Kay-Shuttle-
wortb, Unopposed ...
1885, Nov. Accrington F.W.Grafton
R. T. Hermon Hodge...
R. T. Hermou Hodge...
Joseph F. Leese
1885, Nov. Rossendale Marquis of Hartington
W. Farrer Ecroy d
Marquis of Hartington
Thomas Newbiggiug . . .
1886, July
1886, July.
(C) 5878
(L) 5873
1886, July.
(C) 6085
(GL) 5350
(L) 6821
1885, Nov.
(C) 4462
(L)
1886, July.
1885, Nov.
1886, July.
(GL)
(L) 5320
(G) 4842
(C) 4971
1885, Nov.
1886, July.
1885, Nov.
(GL) 4751
(L) 6060
(C) 4228
(LU) 5399
(GL) 3949
1886, July.
1885, Nov.
South-East Lanc^(shire :
1885, Nov. Weethoughton.. Frank Hardcastle (C) 6011
E. Cross (L) 3741
1886, July. F. Hardcastle, Unop. ... (C)
1885, Nov. Heywood Isaac Hoyle (L) 4533
J. Kenyon (C) 3955
1886, July. IsaacHoyle (GL) 4206
J. Grant Lawson (0)3962
1885, Nov. Middleton Colonel Salis Schwabe . (L) 5882
,„„„ ^, T. Fieldeu (C) 4885
1886, July. T. Fielden (0)5126
0. H. Hopwood, Q.C.... (GL) 4808
Elections. Div.
1885, Nov. Radcliflfe-cum- / Robert Leake (L) 5092
Farnworth ( W. W. B. Hulton (0)4579
1886, July. Robert Leake (GL) 4695
Sir Fredk. Milner, Bart. (C) 4569
1885, Nov. Ecoles Hon. A. G. J. Egerton.. (C) 4559
Vernon Kirk Armitage. (L) 4312
1886, July. Hon. A. G.J. Egerton.. (0)4277
Ellis D. Gosling (GL) 3985
1885, Nov. Stratford William Agnew (L) 4860
J. W. Maclure (C) 4676
1886, July. J. W. Maclure (0)4750
William Agnew (GL) 4011
1885, Nov. Gorton Richard Peacock (L) 5300
T>. J. Flattely (C) 3552
1886, July. Richard Peacock CGL) 4592
Vist. Grey de Wilton... ' (0) 4135
1885, Nov. Prestwich Abel Buckley (L) 5414
R. G. C. Mowbray (C) 4686
R. G. C. Mowbray (0) 4843
Abel Buckley (GL) 4704
South- West Lancashire :
Southport G. A. Pilkington, M.D.. (L) 3741
J. E. Edwardes-Moss ... (C) 3581
Hon. 6. N. Curzon (C) 3723
G. A. Pilkington (GL) 3262
Ormskirk A. B. For wood (0)5133
Professor J. P. Sheldon (L) 2343
A. B. Forwood, Unop... (C)
Bootle Col. T. M. Sandys (0) 6715
S. H. Whitbread (L) 3915
Col. T. M. Sandys, Unop. (0)
Widnes T. C. Edwardes-Moss ... (C) 4527
E. K. Muspratt (L) 2650
T. C. Edwardes-Moss ... (C) 3719
A. Birrell (GL) 2927
Newton Et. Hon. Sir Richard A.
Cross, G.C.B (C) 4414
Col. M'Corquodale (L) 4031
1886, July. Rt. Hon. Sir Richard A.
Cross, G.C.B (0) 4302
Sir Geo. Errington, Bt. (GL) 3486
Sir R A. Cross accepted the Chiltern Hun-
dreds on being created a peer.
1886, Aug. Newton Thos. Wodehouse Legh (C) 4062
D. O'C. French (GL) 3355
1885, Nov. Ince Colonel Blundell (0)4271
C. McL. Percy (L) 3725
1886, July. Colonel Blundell (C) 43C8
G. P. Taylor (GL) 322S
1885, Nov. Leigh Caleb Wright (L) 4621
Lees Knowles (0)3275
1886, July. Caleb Wright (GL) 3297
AV. H. Myers (0) 3134
CHAPTER IX.
Lancashire History iu the Reign of Edward Ill.-Pestilence-Creation of the First Duke of Lancaster-Heavy Imposts on the
People of the Duchy-Death of the First Duke of Laucaster-His Will and Possessions-Administration of the First
Duke, from the Rolls of the Duchy— Renewal of the Dukedom iu the person of John of Gaunt-The Franchise of jura
regalia confirmed, and extended in favour of the Duke of Lancaster-Continuance of the Royal Bounty to the House
of Lancaster — a.d. 1327 to 1379.
NE of the most spirit-stirring periods in the early annals of Lancashire is that
comprehended in the long reign of Edward III., at which, in the order of our
history, we have now arrived. In this reign, the estates of the House of
Lancaster, forfeited by the defection of the head of that house, were restored and
augmented; the ducal dignity was conferred upon Henry, the first Duke of
Lancaster, and the second duke created in England ; the county was erected
into a palatinate jurisdiction, with jura regalia; and John of Gaunt, the distin-
guished ornament of the ducal house, flourished in princely splendour in the
exercise of regal functions. To add to the interest of this portion of our history, the public records
of the kingdom abound with authentic materials; and our difficulty has arisen, not from the
deficiency, but from the redundancy of those materials, which, being too copious to be published
in detail, can only be presented in selection, and often by close abridgement.
One of the first acts of Edward III., on ascending the throne, was to relax the severity of those
decrees under which Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, by the advice of the vindictive Despensers, had
been doomed to the block, and the estates of the earl, as well as of his followers, to confiscation.
Edmvind de Nevill, by petition laid before the king in council, humbly represented that at the
command of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, in whose service he was, he had arrayed certain persons to
arrest Hugh le Despenser and others of the counsellors of the late king, for which offence he had
been fined one hundred marks ; of this fine he had paid thirty marks into the exchequer, which
he prayed might be accepted in discharge of his fine, and which request the king was pleased
graciously to grant.' An order from his majesty in council to the sheriff of Lancashire, issued in
1327, directs that the lands of Sir Robert de Holand, Richard de Holland, and others, who had
been engaged in the quarrel of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, against the Despensers, should be
restored and delivered into their hands ; and the king, by the assent of Parliament, ordered writs
to be directed to the treasurer and barons of the exchequer for releasing from fines and confiscation
those who had joined Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, against his majesty's deceased father, in the battle
of Boroughbridge.^ Sir Robert de Holland, who married Maud, one of the two daughters and
co-heirs of Alan, Lord la Zouche, great-grandson of King Henry II., by the Fair Rosamond de
Clifford, had filled many positions of trust. He fought in the wars in Scotland in 1303, served the
office of Chief Justice of Chester and of Wales, with the custody of the king's castles of Chester,
Rhuddlan, and Flint, as well as that of Beeston, was held in great esteem by the Earl of Lancaster,
who appointed him his secretary, and for his services bestowed upon him divers manors and
extensive tracts of land in Lancashire and elsewhere.^ When the earl made a second attempt to
remove the Despensers from the royal councils, Sir Robert was despatched into Lancashire to raise
a body of men to support the earl's enterprise, and to join him with the levy on the banks of the
Trent, where, at Burton Bridge, he had placed a body of men to prevent the king's forces crossing
the river. At Burton the earl found himself outmanoeuvred, and was obliged to retreat' north-
wards to Boroughbridge, where a battle was fought which ended fatally for the insurgent army.
» 1 Edw. in. (132r), p. 1. m. 21, Turr. Lond.
2 Tbe roll of the battle of Boroughbridge, in poasesBion of C. W. W.
Wynn, Esq , published in Division II. of the Parliamentary Writs, and
Writs of Summons (Append. 188), serves to show the extent of this
rebellion and the quality of the rebels. No fewer than three hundred
and fifty barons and knights had arrayed themselves under the banners
of Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, in this memorable insurrection, of whom
many were killed or taken prisoners, exclusive of a great number of
knights of somewhat inferior note, who were captured, and their lands
confiscated by Edward II., but principally restored by his successor.
' Among the muniments preserved in the Record Office ia an exem-
plification of a grant from Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, Ac, to Hobprt de
Holland of divers lands, Ac, viz., the manor of Yoxhale, with the
advowson- the manners Tongetwiatle (Tintwistle) and Motteram m
Longedendale, with the advowson of Motteram : the manner of Brough-
ton, in the county of Bucks ; the mannor of Westderby, nere Liverpoole,
with the demesnes of Croxtath ; and tbe manners of Torisholme and
Kellett, with the bailiwick of Lonesdale, Fournaya (Furness) and Kert-
mell (Cartmel), and Forester (ship) in Ccmi. Lane. ; the lands in the Hope,
nere Manchester, and the bailiwick of Salford ; with a release of severall
manners and advowsons in the county of Northampton (Division xxv.,
T> g\ Q
* The king crossed the Trent at Walton, lower down the river than
Burton, and by this means turned the earl's flank, compelling him to
retreat across the Dove, a movement that was executed in such haste
that the army chest, containing 100,000 silver pieces, fell into the river,
where it remained for fully five centuries, having been fished up so
recently as the year 1831. — C.
140 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. ix.
The earl was captured and beheaded a day or two afterwards at Pontefract, but Sir Robert, who had
surrendered, escaped the penalty of death, though the whole of his vast possessions were confiscated
to the crown, as were also those of his kinsmen, "Johannes de Holand" and "Ricardus de
Holand," who' had shared in the rebellious enterprise, and so remained until the accession of
Edward III, when, with the assent of Parliament, their respective estates were ordered to be
re-delivered into their hands. But the consummation of all this clemency was in the reversal of
the attainder, and the cessation of all proceedings against Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, on the
petition of his brother and heir, Henry, the now earl, to whom all the estates forfeited by his
deceased brother were restored by a special act of grace, dated the 3rd of March, 1328. The order
of restoration of the lands, profits, castle and honor of Lancaster to Henry, Earl of Lancaster, is
directed to John de Lancaster, warden or keeper of the honor of Lancaster ; Geofrey de Werburton,
sheriff of Lancaster ; Edmund de Assheby, keeper of the fees of the honor of Lancaster ; and to the
various other officers of that honor.^ As if it had been intended to propitiate the manes of the
deceased earl, a brief was issued from York to Robert de Weryington, clerk, enabling him to
collect alms in various parts of the kingdom to defray the cost of the erection of a chapel, to be
built on the site where Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, had been recently beheaded.
The war with Scotland still continued, and the incursions of the Scots exposed the inhabitants
of the northern counties of England to the most severe' suffering. The young king, anxious to
avenge the wrongs committed upon his subjects, placed himself at the head of his army; to
increase which he directed his mandate to the commissioners of array" of cavalry and infantry in
the county of Lancaster, announcing that the Scots were preparing to invade the kingdom, and
ordering them to prepare with arms all the men in the county, between the ages of sixteen and
sixty, to join the king at Durham.^ The Scots had driven Edward II. from the very gates of
Edinburgh, and out of Scotland, and pursued him with such activity into his own kingdom that
he narrowly escaped falling into their hands. Emboldened by their successes they advanced to
Avithin twenty miles of York, plundering the towns and abbeys and laying waste the country on
their way. After his deposition an attempt was made, on the night of the coronation of the young
King Edward III., to surprise and take Norham Castle, a fortified stronghold on the English side
of the Tweed, and immediately afterwards a formidable invasion of England was planned by Bruce.
In June (1327), an army of twenty-four thousand men, under Randolph, Earl of Moray, and Lord
Douglas, assembled on the marches, crossed the border, and ravaged Cumberland. The young
Edward, with a precocious heroism, put himself at the head of a great army of English knights and
archers, and of foreign soldiers under John of Hainhault, which had assembled at York ; on the
1.5th July he was at Durham, and immediately moved forward in pursuit of the enemy, whose
track was discernable by the smoke of burning villages in the defiles of that mountainous country.
Froissart gives a vivid description of this his first journey against the Scots, marching "through
marshes and savage deserts, mountains and dales," looking in vain for the enemy, and eventually
compelled to give up the pursuit in despair, when he returned to Durham, and thence to York.
This was the first lesson in warfare of the great Edward, and it is recorded that he wept when he
found that the enemy had silently escaped by a night march, and that he was circumvented by
the skill of an army inferior in numbers.^ The effect of this expedition was, hoAvever, to free the
coiuitry from the invaders ; and the death of Robert Bruce, King of Scotland, which occurred on
the 7th of June, 1329, prevented any further active hostility between the two countries for some
years. At this time the county of Lancaster was much disturbed; large bodies of armed men
assembled in the hundreds of Salford and West Derby, to the alarm of the peaceable inhabitants,
and the insecurity of their property and lives. To put an end to this state of things, the Idng
addressed_ his warrant (in 1328) to the sheriff of Lancashire, commanding him to make public
proclamation that whoever should in future assemble in this Avay would be subject to imprison-
ment and the loss of their arms.'' This measure does not appear to have had the desired effect. It
Avas found necessary in 1329 to appoint a commission, consisting of John de Haryngton, Thomas de
Lathom, Richard de Houghton, Richard de Kigheley, and Gilbert de Warburton, as guardians of
the public peace. In the proclamation by Avhich this commission was accompanied it is stated
that great multitudes of vagabonds and others assemble illegally together, by day and by night,
' 2 Edw. in. p. 1. m. 18. Turr Loud. » Rot. Scot. 1 Edw. UI. m. 4. Turr. Lond.
llumo erroneously attirms that the " first commission ot array which •> Among the " Chamberlains' and Ministers' Accounts (Lancashire),'
we meet with in English history" was that of Henry V., before his in the Eecord Office, is an "Account of Robert de Holand (1 Edw. III.,
departure for 1 ranee to engage in the memorable battle of Agincourt 1327), late justiciary, ot expenses in wages, &o., incurred under the
(141.5). Ihis commission, which marks an important revohition in the King's Writs of Privy Seal, and arranged under the heads of wages paid
miJitary system ot lingland, for it was no loss than a substitution of a to carpenters and others In the Castle, costs of carters and carts, costs of
national milltia lor the ancient feudal force of armed retainers under the sailors' apparel, and purveyance of the king towards Scotland.—
command and banner of their respective lords, is traceable as far back as « Claua. 2 ISdw. III. m. 20 d. Turr. Lond.
the reign of Henry II., but it was not until later, and after much com-
plaint, that the form of the commission was settled by statute — C
CHAP. IX.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
141
watching the passes through woods and other places, both public and private, and that these
banditti waylay travellers beating wounding, and abusing them; killing some of them, maimin^
others, and robbing all of them of their property. The functions of the guardians of the pTce
were very extensive ; they were no less than the powers of inquiring into offences, and of correctincr
and punishing the offenders at their own discretion. While the government were punishing thS
outrages of the lawless, they were not unmindful of the oppressions and delinquencies practised bv
their own servants; and hence we find that in 1330 a wrft was issued by the king's authority to
the sherittot Lancashire reciting that, in consequence of the representation that divers oppres-
sions and hardships had been inflicted on the inhabitants by men in authority, he was to make
proclamation that whoever had suffered oppression and injustice, contrary to the laws and usa^os
ot the rea,lm, should make known their grievances to the next Parliament through the two knights
of the shire to be sent from this county to that Parliament.i
The country was now threatened with a fresh war. The regency, by which the Scotch nation
was governed during the minority of the prince, declined to recognise the claims of Edward Baliol
whose cause the English king had espoused, and taillage was levied of a fifteenth, to enable him to
carry on the war, of which William de Denum, Thomas de Banenburgh, and Robert de Tughole
were appointed the assessors m the northern counties of Lancaster, Northumberland, Cumberland'
THE OLD BRIDGE, BEKWICK, BETWEEN ENGLAND AND SCOTLAND.
and Westmorland ; while Henry de Percy was appointed warden of the marches. The demands
upon Lancashire were not confined to money : a levy of four hundred archers and one hundred
hobelers, very strong and able-bodied men, fully accoutred, was required from this county, and
John de Denum, Edward Nevil, and Robert de Shireburn, Avere appointed to array the levy.^ At
the same time a writ of summons was addressed to Henry, Earl of^ Lancaster, directing him to join
the king at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, on the Feast of the Holy Trinity (Sunday, June 14, 1332). In
the meantime, the Scotch forces had penetrated into the northern counties, and spread so much
alarm by their homicides and devastations that a writ was issued to the sheriff of Lancashire,
announcing that the king, for the protection of the inhabitants, permitted them to withdraw
themselves, with their goods and cattle, out of the county into the southern parts of the kingdom,
and there to remain, wherever they chose in the king's woods, forests, and pastures, during their
pleasure, and to graze their cattle in the same without making any payment for so doing. It was
also announced that similar commands had been given to the Bishop of Durham, and to the sheriffs
of Northumberland, Nottingham, and Derby.^ Encouraged by the discontent of the English lords,
many of whom claimed to own lands in Scotland, Edward Baliol made an attempt to recover the
Scottish throne. There is good reason to believe that Edward approved of the enterprise, though
he gave no aid, and even went so far as to forbid the passage of armed men through the northern
' Claus. 4 Edw. III. m. 18 d. Turr. Lend,
^ Pat. 6 Edw. in. p. 3, m. 18, Turr. Lend,
> Claua. 7 Edw. III. p. 1. m. IS. Turr, lond-
142 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. ix.
counties, a procedure that necessitated Baliol and his associates taking ship from the Humber.
They landed on the coast of Fife in August, 1332 ; repulsed, with immense loss, an army which
attacked them near Perth ; and on the 27th of the following month Baliol was crowned at Scone,
when, in response to the demand of Edward, he acknowledged his sovereignty to be a fief held
imder the crown of England. If his success had been rapid, his reverse was not less so, for his
acknowledgement of the abandoned suzerainty proved fatal to himself, and he was at once driven
from his relilm, and Berwick, which he had agreed to surrender, was strongly garrisoned. The
kino-, who was then at Pontefract, at the head of a powerful army, on his way to the north, marched
forward to Berwick, in which garrison the regent Douglas had fortified himself. After a protracted
siege, a general battle ensued at Halidon Hill (July 19, 1333), in which Douglas, with many earls
and barons, was .killed, and nearly thirty thousand of the Scots troops fell in the action, in which,
according to Knyghton, the loss of the English amounted only to one knight, one squire, and
thirteen private soldiers! — a loss, as the historian Hume observes, so small as almost to be
incredible. The picturesque old border town of Berwick, which had been the scene of so many
struggles, was surrendered, and at a Parliament at Edinburgh a large portion of the south of
Scotland was annexed to England.
The taillage, or tallage,^ collected in this reign, as mentioned above, was a kind of occasional
property-tax. In the 11 Henry III. (1226-7) a taillage was made in Lancashire, which serves as a
barometer by which to measure the relative importance of the principal towns of the county in
the thirteenth century. The impost was assessed by "Master Alexander de Dorsete and Simon
de Hal," and the payments were for — •
The town of Lancaster [£8
The town of Liverpool [7
The town of West Derby [5
The town of Preston [10
13
14
1
Marks. s. d.
4] xiij
4] xj. vij. viii.
0] vij. vij. viii.
6] XV. ... vj.
The tenants in thanage paid 10 marks (£6 13s. 4d.) to have respite, that they might not be
taillaged.^ It is remarkable that neither Manchester nor Salford is mentioned in this early return
to his Majesty's exchequer, and that Wigan, though one of the ancient boroughs of the county, is
also omitted.
On the marriage of the king's sister, Alionora, to the Earl of Gueldres, an order was issued to
the abbot of Furness and to the priors of Bursoough, Upholland, and Hornby, as well aS to the
abbot of Whalley and to the priors of Kertmell and Conigshead, requiring them to levy the subsidy
on their respective houses, towards the maritagium, an impost of early times, which ceased with
the feudal system.^ This order the priests were slow to obey, in consequence of which another
letter was issued by the king from Pontefract, reminding them of their neglect, and ordering them
to communicate their intention to the proper authority. No further documents appear on the
subject ; and it may be presumed that this second application produced the desired effect. The
abbot of Peterborough, in order to show his attachment to the king, and to secure the favour of
the noble family whose influence at this time prevailed in his Majesty's councils, presented Edward
with a splendid service of plate, amongst which was a silver-gilt cup with a scuchon, on which were
engraved the arms of " Lancaster."
The danger of invasion from the Scotch, which prevailed so frequently during the reign of
Edward III., induced that monarch to issue an order to Robert de Shireburn and Edmund de
Neville, directing them to enforce, in the county of Lancaster, the statute of Winton, for arming and
arraying the inhabitants according to their respective estates in land.^ The Scots, who certainly
deserved the praise of persevering patriotism, and, moreover, had justice on their side, were a cause
ol unceasing anxiety to their English neighbours. The king's needs being urgent, he issued a
warrant, dated at Nottingham, March 27th, 9th Edward III. (1335), to his beloved and faithful
Thomas, Earl of Norfolk, Marshal of England, and to a great number of nobles, knights, and esquires
(including William le Boteler, of Warrington, and others in Lancashire), reciting that in the
Parliament lately holden in Westminster it was agreed by the peers and commons there assembled
' 'r?"'^?'^' o' .tolj^lf . ™ J, special contribution levied on the bur- chattels of the value of forty marks, shall keep armour, and provide
gesses lor tne loras tieliaLt, in the same way that "aids" were exacted themselves with a haberject or habergeon (a steel or leather breastplate,
by him 01 his land-tenants, and was after the nominal rate of 2s. 8d. in haberjonem), an iron cap, a sword, a cultel (dagger-knife), and a horse ;
tion — o" ^°" "" '^^ charged in double propor- of ten pounds in land, and chattels value twenty marks, a habergeon,
'" ivr" T? + -Ti TT TTT r. 4. 1 t sword, and cultcl ; of one hundred shillings in land, a purpoint, iron cap,
- mag. KOI. 11 il- 111. Kot. 1 a. Lancastre. sword, and cultel ; of forty shillings in land and more, up to a hundred
4 Ti, ♦.-?'"' iTtI;'''! ?■ "• ^''"'^- shillings, a sword, a bow, arrows, and cultel; and he who had less than
^o=. iiq'*!?? 1 T „„o^f "r '■' "r"' ^inton, as it is commonly called, forty shillings in land, to be sworn to keep falchions, gisarms, knives,
pa^eri Id Edward 1 (1286), enforced and extended the provisions of the and other smalUarms. The hand-gisarm was a short biU with serrated
mh Henry II. (1181). It required that all persons between the ages of edges,— C.
httceu and sixty, possessing fifteen pounds in land, or upwards and
CHAP. IX. THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE.
Uli
that, "for the defence and safety of the Idngdom, the lands in the marches, and the people there"
It was the king s duty to march against the Scots, and that with certain of his faithful subiects he
had accordingly at a great cost repaired thither, and, " with the help of heaven," proposed to be at
Newcastle-on-Tyne on Trinity Sunday next, with a great army, prepared to advance against the
enemy and repress their malice ; wherefore he enjoined all his laithful subjects that, laying all
excuses aside, they should be Avith him at the above time and place, prepared with horse and arms
to move against the enemy.' Two years later (March 29th, 11 Edward III.) he issued another
warrant from Westminster, addressed to his beloved and faithful "William le Boteler de
Weryngton," and Thomas de Lathum, in which, after reciting that to keep the Scots in check a
great body of archers was immediately required, he commanded the said William and Thomas,
jointly and severally, to raise lifteen hundred archers in the county of Lancaster, and with all speed
to march them at the king's expense to Scotland.
England being again involved in war with France, the king determined to embark for the
Continent, partly to direct its operations, but principally to animate by his presence that extensive
confederacy _ which he had organised against Philip, the French king. This intention was
announced in Lancashire by a writ directed to John de Haryngton, Edmund de Nevill, and
Richard de Hoghton, knights, by which they Avere directed, along with other knights, to be in
their proper persons " present before the king in council at Westminster, the day after Easter
(1338), to hear what he had to expound to them for their conduct during his absence on most
urgent business, in parts across the sea," and with the further purpose of receiving instructions to
preserve the peace inviolate during his absence.' Although Parliaments had then been only very
recently instituted upon the model of popular representation, the royal influence began already to
exert itself to obtain the return of such members to the House of Commons as would best secure
the king's purpose, by granting him large supplies out of the public revenue ; and this appears to
have been the object of Edward in summoning these knights by the authority of his own writ.
Though disliking the French war, the Parliament which was convened on the recommendation of
this council (March 27, 1340) made a grant for two years of the ninth sheaf of corn, the ninth
lamb, and the ninth fleece, on their estates ; from the citizens and burgesses, of a ninth of their
goods and chattels, at the true value ; the like from the foreign merchants which dwelt not in
cities or boroughs ; and of the people that dwelt in the forests, one fifteenth.'' The same Parliament
also granted a duty of forty shillings on each sack of wool exported, on each three hundred
woolfells, and on each last of leather, for the same term, declaring, however, that this grant was
not to be dra-\vn into a precedent. But in order to facilitate the supply, and to meet the king's
urgent necessities, they agreed that he should be allowed twenty thousand sacks of wool, the
amount to be deducted from the movables when they were levied. Local treasuries became
necessary as depositories for the sum collected in the respective counties, and the abbot of Furness
accordingly received a command to provide a suitable house in his abbey for " the custody of the
king's pence." A writ of summons was directed to the sheriff of Lancashire, ordering him to arrest
the ships in the ports, and to man and equip them for action.^ With the fleet, consisting of two
hundred and forty sail, principally collected in this way, the king set sail for Flanders on the 22nd
of June, 1340, and the next day at evening gained the splendid victory, off the harbour of Sluys,
over the navy of France, in which two hundred and thirty French ships were taken, and thirty
thousand Frenchmen killed, along with their two admirals, while the loss of the English was
comparatively inconsiderable." The day after the victory, Edward proceeded to Ghent, where he
found that his queen, PhiUppa, almost within sound of the roar and shouts of the battle, had just
given birth to a prince, who, from his being born on St. John the Baptist's Day, was called John,
and from being born at Ghent, was called " of Ghent." The child grew to manhood, and was
afterwards famed in history as John of Gaunt, "time-honoured Lancaster."
Although this signal victory gave to the navy of England a superiority which it has never
since lost, the alarm of invasion spread very generally, and, amongst other preparations made to
repel the invaders, it was ordered (in 1339) that fifty men-at-arms, three hundred armed men, and
three hundred archers, should be raised in this country, of which number twenty-five men-at-arms
and one hundred and twenty archers were to be contributed by the following gentlemen -J "John
de Haryngton, for himself and his father, ten men-at-arms and forty archers ; Robert de Radeclit,
five men-at-arms and forty archers ; and Henry de Trafford, ten men-at-arms and forty archers.
The warlike spirit of the king had involved him in hostilities both with Scotland and France ;
and in the following year a writ of military summons was issued to Gilbert de Clyderowe and to
' Mt. Scotic^, T. i. pp. 332, 333.-C. = Rot- Aleman. 12 Edw. III. p. 1 m. 23, Turr. Loud.
' /6M, V. i. pp. 486, 417.— C. ,„ . ... . ,„„ ,,
= Claua. 12 Edw. HI. p. 1 m. 37 d. Turr. Lond. « Froiesart, hv. i. chap. 61.
* In pursuance of this enactment, inquisitions upon the oath of the , „ 4. „ , ,, „,,„, ttt ,„i li r, lin
parishioners were taken in every pariah within the realm.-C. ' Rot. Pari. 13 Edw. III. Tol. h. p. 110.
144 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. ix.
Robert de Radeclyf, ordering them to assemble the men-at-arms and archers under their command
to meet the king at Cariisle, by Quadragesima Sunday (March 5, 1340), to repel the invasion of the
Scots.i These successive demands upon the military tenants were very harassing, and their
oppressiveness was increased by the difficulty of obtaining payment from the constituted
authorities. A warrant, dated at Langley, March, 1541, and addressed to the Bishop of Durham
and others, recites that WilUam le Boteler, a Lancashire man, and others, had represented to the
king that though they had been a long time in the garrison at Berwick-upon-Tweed, a great part
of their wages remained still due and unpaid, whereupon the king gave commandnaent to the
bishop and his colleagues to examine the accounts of the claimants, and see them forthwith paid out
of the money levied by the nonetax.' On the 13th August following, the king issued another
warrant from Shene (Richmond), commanding John de Thynden, receiver of the nones north of the
Trent, to pay out of such moneys the wages of William le Boteler and others for their services
either in the marches or elsewhere in Scotland, for such time as they should remain after the 12th
of March, 1341.^ At the same time, John de Helleker, the king's receiver for Lancashire, was
ordered to send money to Carlisle, towards repairing the fortresses of that city, and the abbot of
Fumess was commanded to provide a suitable house in his abbey for the custody of the king's
pence. To the joy of the people, a proclamation was this year (1340) received in Lancashire and
in the other counties of England, commanding the sheriff to publish a truce between the king and
Philip de Valois, and between the English and the Scotch. Little reliance, however, appears to
have been placed upon the permanent restoration of tranquillity, for in 1341 the sheriff of Lanca-
shire was ordered to provide one hundred bows and one thousand sheaves of arrows, for the
expedition into France.^ This was speedily followed by another to the sheriff, directing him to
provide a thousand sheaves of steel-headed arrows and a thousand bowstrings.
In the war with France, which was speedily renewed, Henry, Earl of Derby, son of the Earl
of Lancaster, greatly distinguished himself; ^ and the events of this war, in which the French king
was taken prisoner, shed an imperishable renoAvn on the military character of England. For the
prosecution of the contest large levies Avere raised in all the counties of the kingdom ; and an
order was directed by the king to the sheriff of Lancashire (1345), commanding him to make
proclamation that all barons, bannerets, knights, and esquires in the county, between the age of
sixteen and sixty, should be forthwith prepared, with horses and arms, to attend the king across
the sea, to enable him to put a speedy and successful termination to the war." Not only the noble,
but the ignoble also, were embarked in this service, and the sheriff received soon after a writ of
military service, commanding him to make public proclamation that all persons in his county who
had been found guilty of felonies, homicides, robberies, and other offences, and had been pardoned
by the king's clemency, should provide themselves with arms and accoutrements, and march to
join the royal army on its embarkation at Portsmouth for France. All these preparations and all
these attacks upon the French kingdom were, however, but the preludes to the great effort of
1346, which culminated on the field of Crescy, when the steady courage that was the result of
the comparatively free condition of the yeomen of England was first asserted on a great scale-
The Scotch, under David Bruce, availing themselves of the opportunity which the absence of
the English forces afforded, prepared to invade the northern counties, on which a writ Aras
addressedby the king to the sheriff of Lancashire (1345), announcing the danger of the country,
and ordering him to make proclamation that all the men of the county should remove their live
stock to the forest of Galtres, in the county of York, where they might be preserved in safety,
and where the flocks and herds Avould enjoy pasturage free of charge.^ The King of England
being engaged in the French wars, aided by his youthful son the Black Prince, and by the Earl
of Derby, who by his father's death, September 22nd, 1345, had now succeeded to the earldom of
Lancaster, Queen Philippa assembled a body of soldiers to repel the Scotch invaders, who had
entered Cumberland, taken the fortress called " the Pyle of Liddel," and after beheading the
governor had advanced into the bishopric of Durham, plundering and slaughtering. This force,
under the command of Lord Percy, met the army of Bruce at Neville's Cross, a mile or two west
of Durham (1346), with the determination to avenge the insults which had been offered to the
country, and to put an end to the violations Avhich had been committed upon the property of the
mhabitants. Animated, in that chivalrous age, to the highest pitch of enthusiasm by the
presence of the queen, who rode along their ranks previous to the battle, the English troops,
though not numerically amounting to one-fourth of the number of the Scotch, fought like lions.
2 'nlf' iL^f 'i ^}\ CM r "^'^y "^ guarded with steel (acerata), and then the charge is to be one
^01. ototKc, y. I. p. DUD.— vj. shilling and twopence.
" Ibid, V, 1. p. DlL— C. » [fgd i^ *^35
oo^T,* ^ M ?"°'' °' *'T'' f *?'"'1, '° *?? government order at one shilling « Rot. Franc. lOEdw. ni. p. 2 m. 12, Turr. Lond.
each, which sum is also to be aUowed for a sheat of arrows, except when ' Glaus. 19 Bdw. ni. p, 2 ni. 10 d. Turr. Lond
THAP. IX. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 145
The enemy was broken and driven ofi the field, and fifteen thousand of them were made to bite
the dust, amongst whom was the Earl Marshal of Scotland.' To crown this memorable victory,
David Bruce, the Scotch king, was made prisoner, and conveyed to London, along with a number
of his captive nobles, in triumph. ''^ The number of prisoners taken in this battle was so large as
to fill all the prisons of Lancashire. The inhabitants, in order to relieve themselves from the
burden of the support of so many prisoners, liberated a number of them, in the hope that they
would return to their own country ; but instead of pursuing this course, they began to • commit
depredations ; on which the government instituted a commission, consisting of Thomas de Latham,
John de Haryngton the younger, and Nicholas le Botiller, to make inquisition into the alleged
liberations, and to announce that the persons guilty of this offence against the public safety would
be liable to the forfeiture of life and limbs (1346).^
In order to reinstate the English navy in its former strength, after the splendid victory of
Sluys, a tax somewhat resembling that attempted to be imposed by Charles I., though unattended
by its disastrous consequences, was levied in the seaports of Liverpool and Chester, under the
authority of an order from the king, by which the collectors of the ship-money were directed to
collect the subsidy of two shillings the sack on wool, and sixpence the pound on movables, for
sixty large ships of war (grossis navibiis de guerra), and to deliver the money so assessed to the
admiral of the fleet of those ports. A contribution was also made in Lancashire, in favour of
Edmund Baliol, King of Scotland, the nominee of Edward, King of England; and Richard
Molineaux and his associates, collectors of the triennial tenths recently granted to the king, were
ordered to transmit one hundred and eighty-four pounds, in two instalments, out of the sums
collected for the king's exchequer (1349). *
At this time the " Black Death," a pestilence of the most fatal character raged in the country,
and is said to have extended to Lancashire. So malignant were its effects that of the three or
four millions who then formed the population of England more than one-half became its victims.
It first appeared at Dorchester, and according to Stowe, the annalist, fifty thousand persons died
of this plague in the city of Norwich ; an equal number were interred in the burial-ground where
now stands the Charter House, in the city of London, and it is recorded that more than one-half of
the priests of Yorkshire perished (1348-9). The labours of husbandry were neglected ; no courts
of justice were opened ; Parliament was prorogued ; and men, intent only on their own safety,
slighted every call of honour, duty, and humanity.
On the 19th September, 1356, the great battle of Poictiers was fought, Henry, Earl of
Lancaster, the " good earl " as he was called, was, at the time, leading another expedition in France,
and only just missed the glory of sharing in the victory by being a day's march from Poictiers.
" Going from Tours," wrote the Black Prince to the city of London after the battle, " we had the
intention of meeting our most dear cousin, the Duke of Lancaster, of whom we had most certain
news that he would make haste to draw near us." The brilliant career pursued in France by
Henry, Earl of Lancaster and Derby, had determined the king to confer upon him a signal mark
of the royal favour by creating him Duke of Lancaster.' The origin of this title is thus
represented by the heralds : —
" The first creation of the title of duke, as distinct from that of earl (for in the elder times they were oft synonymous with
us) was in the eleventh year of Edward the Third (1337), when in Parliament he conferred upon his eldest son, being then Earl of
Chester, the title of Duke of Cornwall. The investiture of this first duke was only by girdiup; him with the sword, although some
learned men, confounding, it seems, the ceremonies of his being afterwards made prince of Wales, with this creation into the title
of duke, say he was invested by a ring, a rod, and a coronet, all of which indeed together are mentioned m some patents of the
following times, that seem to create the eldest sons Duke.s of OornwaU, as well as Princes of Wales, and Earls of Chester. The same
investiture also, by the sword only, is mentioned in the creation of Henry, the first Duke of Lancaster, about fourteen years after
this first creation of the Duke of Cornwall. He was created for life in Parliament, and the clause of investiture m the charteris
only nomen duds Lancastrice inponimus «t ipsum de nomine duels dicti loci, per cincturam gladu praesentiahter inveshmus ; and the
county of Lancaster as a county palatine, with reference to that of Cliezler, for example of jurisdiction, is given to him as the body
of his duchy.s Afterward, in 36 (26) Edw. III., on the last day of the Parliament, Lionel, Duke of Clarence, and John, Duke of
Lancaster, both sons to the king, were honoured with those titles, Lioml being then in Ireland; but the other being present, had
investiture by the king's girding him with a sword, and his putting him on a cap of fur, dtsus m cerdedor & deperes, as the roU
says — that is, under a coronet of gold and stones."
Soon after the first establishment of the duchy of Lancaster heavy complaints were made by
the inhabitants in consequence of the twofold pressure of taxation— first for the support of the
state and next for the maintenance of the institutions of the duchy. To alleviate their burdens
the kino- addressed a mandate to the Duke of Lancaster, or to his lieutenant and chancellor,
wherein°it was directed that all general inquisitions concerning felonies and trespasses m every
> The battle was fought on the hill just outside the city of Durham, ' ^fi^''°\.f '^'^^- "^- "■ * ^- '^""'- ^°""^-
and the site is still marked by a broken 8h;.ft of stono the romams of a * 2i Edw. 111.
cross erected by Ealph, Lord Neville, to commemorate the victory in • 25 Edw. lU- ("SI),
which he had such a distinguished share.- C. See c. iv, p. oi.
2 Froissart, liv. i. 0. 139.
20
146
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. ix.
nart of the kiiK^dom should cease, so long as the people remained peaceable, and particularly that
the people in the duchy of Lancaster, >vho had been impeded in their business and reduced to
Searpoveity by the^inquisitions made in the duchy, should no longer be burdened m this way,
?he dukeS therefore Ordered to supersede all such proceedings within his duchy, and to
admin ster the law in the same manner as in other parts of the kingxlom. The same year the king
addressed a proclamation to all admirals, their lieutenants and sheriffs, appointing Roger del Wych,
jZsyworl, John Cruys, and William, son of Adam de Lyverpol, to arrest as many ships in
L°verpoTand Chester, and other ports, as were necessary to conyey Thomas de Rocheby, the
k n'?iustickry of Ireknd, into that country. The difficulty of procuring labourers m husbandry
afte? the countiT had been so much thinned of its population by the plague [of 1349] disinclined
the working clas^ses to take the usual rate of wages for their- labour It was the period of transition
from serfdom^ to free labour, in which the labourers asserted their own importance somewhat
beyond the limits of discretion, and an Act was in consequence passed '' to restrain the malice of
seivants" who insisted upon extravagant wages {outrageouses lowers) The standard of wages
fixed by this Act was that which had prevailed voluntarily before the plague broke out when corn
was tenpence a bushel and wages fifteenpence a week. This law being in opposition to the general
prTnciple of trade, which causes the supply and the demand to regulate the price, failed m its
obiect and the labourers left their usual places of abode to seek more profitable employment, which
they easily found from home. The whole organisation of labour was thrown out of gear; tor a
time cultivation was almost impossible-the fields were left untiled-and the scarcity of hands,
consequent on the course of industrial employment being so rudely disturbed, niade it difficult lor
the minor tenants to perform the services due for their lands, and it was only by a temporary
abandonment of half the rentals that the landowners could induce their tenants to retain their
farms It was the first great struggle between capital and labour. Repressive measures became
necessary, the strong arm of the law was again called in, and it was enacted that no servant should
in summer go out of the town or parish where he usually dwelt in winter, if he could obtain
employment there, with a proclamation dispensing with the law in favour of the labourers in the
counties of Lancaster, Stafford, and Derby, and in the districts of Craven and the marches of "Wales,
who were allowed to go in the month of August— the season of harvest— to work m other counties ;
and persons refusing to obey this proclamation were to be put m the stocks by the lords and
stewards, or, if that discipline did not prove sufficient, they were to be sent to the next prison,_and
there confined for three days (1359). ' As compared with the south of England, or even the adjom-
ino- county of York, Lancashire at this period was but ill-cultivated. The huge tracts of bog and
swiimpy morass that stretched along its southern boundary would scarcely afford a pathway for
travellers, much less land for tillage or pasture ; the bleak moorland wastes and sterile hills that
separated it from Yorkshire on the eastern side yielded but a poor return for the labour of the
husbandman ; and a large portion of the western border, sloping to the sea, was covered with loose
sands, driven by the drifting winds, to the destruction of vegetation beneath. Much of the country
Avas forest and "wild woodland, retaining their primeval features, and in which the animals of the
chase roamed at will. But land was gradually being reclaimed from the waste, and agriculture
was making progress, especially in Ribblesdale and the district of Furness, where the two great
abbeys had been established, and the Cistercians had taught their neighbours and dependents to
plough the fertile vales and to pasture their flocks and herds on the green slopes of Pendle and
the fells of Cartmel.
During the king's absence in France, Henry, Duke of Lancaster, was summoned to attend the
council, which duty he performed with his usual fidelity. This was amongst the last public acts
of that venerable peer, for on the 24th of March in the following year, 1361, he died of the plague,
without male heirs, on which his honours and princely possessions descended to his two daughters,
Maud and Blanche, whose names, however, are not even mentioned in his will.
Will or Henbt, Duke of Lancaster.
In this will, dated at the Castle of Leicester, loth March 1360, his titles are set forth as Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Derby, of
Lincoln, and of Leicester, Steward of England, Lord of Bruggerak [Brigerac] and of Be[a]ufort. After long directions as to lua
funeral and burial in the Collegiate Church of the Annunciation of our Lady at Leicester, the duke devises all his goods, silver
plate, and all other movables, to pay his debts and to " guerdon " his poor servants, each according to merit and estate, and to
fulfil his bequests to the Cliurch, etc. He appoints, as his executors, " John [Sinwen or Gynwell], Bishop of Lincoln, the honourable
home of holy religion, William, Abbot of Leicester, our dearest sister the Lady Wak, our dearest cousin of Walkynton, Eobertla Mare,
John de Bokelande, Sir John de Charnele, Sir Walter Power, Sinkyu Simeon, and John de Neumarche." He devises all his goods,
1 Tlie last recorded sale of slaves in Lancashire W!m about forty years in 1309. the abljot sold, for one hundred slilUings sterling, "one notivo,
before this time. It occurs in the munimonte of Whalley Abboy, where, with all liis family and all his effects." — C.
= Clause 33 Edw. III. m. 6 d. Turr. Loud.
CHAP. IX. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 147
beyond what suffics to pay his debts and reward bis servants, and fulfil liis bequests to the Church, to be applied " to the 'profit of
our soul by the advice and consent of the executors. The will was proved the 3d of the Kalends of April [March 30], 1361, in the
castle of Leicester, before John Bishop of Lincoln ; and again before Sir William de Witleseye, official of the Court of Canterbury
at London, on the ith of the Ides of May [9th May] 1361.— Segist. IsUp. fol. 172 a b, in the Archiepiscopal Rcghtrij at Lambeth.
The extent and magnitude of the possessions of the first Duke of Lancaster, forming as they
do the principal part of the duchy, may be in some degree estimated from the following enumera-
tion exhibited in the Inquisitlo Post Mortem taken in 36 Edw. III. (1302).
INQUISITION POST MORTliM
OF THE POSSESSIONS OP THE FIRST DUKE OP LANOASTEB.
"In the County of Lancaster.— l,anca.steT castle & honor— Pleas of the county of Lancaster— West Derbyshire baili«ick—
Lonesdale wapentake— Lancaster vill— Lone Water, fishery near Prestwait— Overton tnauor— Slyne vill— Skerton lands &c,—
Quernemore park— Wiresdale vaccary— Blesdale vacoary— Caldre vaocary— Grisdale vaccary— Amunderness wapentake— Preston—
Singleton- Riggeby vill with le Wray— Hydil park— Cadilegh— Fulwode wood— Kylaneshalghe— Broughton— Mirestagh park—
Wiggehalgh— Baggerburgh— Clyderhoo castle— Blakebornshire wapentake— IghtenhuU manor- Colne manor, with members—
Woxton— Penhulton vill— Chateburne vill— Acrinton vill— Huncotes— Haselingden vill— Penhull chace— Trogden chace— Eossendale
chace— Totinton manor & chace— Hoddesdeu wood— Rachdale manor— Penwortham manor— Widnes manor— UUeswaltou manor-
Eccleston vill— Leyloud vill— LyverpoU castle- Westderby manor & Salford manor (as of the honor of Tuttebury)— Horneby castle
& manor — Werington manor — Laton manor.
" In the County of Leicester. — Leyoester castle & honor extended— Frithe wood — Hynkeley manor extended— Schelton manor
extended— Derford manor extended— Selby, five views of frank-pledge— C.irleton, four views of frank-pledge— Schulton, two views
of frank-pledge — Derford, two views of frank-pledge — Hynkeley, two views of frank-pledge.
"In the County of Dorset. — Kyngeston Lacy manor — Winterborn Minster — Wimbourne Holt chace— Bradbury hundred —
Shapwyk manor — Maiden Neuton hundred.
"In the County of Southampton. — Kyngesomborne manor — Pernholt wood & chace — La Lond wood — Staunden — Earle —
Elleden — Huld — Pernholt — Tymbrebiiry — Compton Houghton — Sumborne Parva — XJpaomborne (land, &c.) — Stockbrigg vill —
Langestoke manor — Weston manor, near Odiam — Herteley manor.
''In the County of Warwick. — Kenel worth castle and manor extended — ^Asthull manor — Wotton rent — Waddesley — Lapworth
rent — Mershton Boteler — Brinkelowe (lands and tenements) — Ilmedon, view of frank-pledge.
"In the County of Wilts. — Colingborne manor extended — Everlee manor extended — Lavyngton manor extended.
"In the County of Berks. — Esgarston manor extended — Poghele — Hungerford — Sandon — S; Kentebury (land, &o.).
" In the County of Dei'by. — Melborne castle & manor.
"In the County of York. — Pontefract castle & honor, with members, vizt — Slaikeborne manor — Bowland manor, with forest —
Snaith vill, with soke — Pykering castle, vill, and honor — Scalby manor— Hoby manor— Esingwald manor — Bradeford manor —
Almanby manor — Ledes manor — Berewyke manor — Eoundhaye manor — Scoles manor — Hypax manor — AUerton manor — Rothewell
manor — Altoftes manor — Warnefield manor — Ackworth manor — Elmesdale manor — Camesale manor — Custon' — Tanshelfe manor —
Knottingleye manor — Boghall manor, with the free court of Pontefract — Divers lands and tenements. Sic, in Maningham Barnboghe —
Woodhouse — Potterton — Hillum — Saxton — Roundhaye — Secroft — Thornore — Scole — Muston — Ivypax manor — Ledeston — AUerton
— Ayer [Ayre] fishery — Rothewell — Flete mill — Wridelesford — Kildre fishery. Divers lands aod tenements, &c. Warnefeld —
Crofton — Akeworth — Elmesle — Kerkeby Mensthrop — Suthelmsale — Coteyerd — EUerker — Camesale — Balnehoke — Hargincrofte —
Bernesdale— Custon — Holnhirst — Carleton Castleford mill — Hardewike — Knotingley — Beghale — Beghelker — Beghallund — {All the
afoi'esaid belong to the Honor of Pontefract) — Slaykeborne in Bouland, with the forest — Bremund pasture — Roudon — Ap Aldington —
Maukholes — Brombewell — -Holme — Baxsterhay — Browesholme — Berkholme — Eghes — Latheringrime Bernardseless — Nicolshey —
Wardeslegh — Hogeking — Hcighe — Crepingwarde — Benteley Close — Graistanley — Lekherst — Peinleghes — Coswayne — Chipping
Crosdale — Neuton — Hamerton Witton — Grimlington — Salley mill — Bradeford in Bouland — Blakshelfe in Mitton — Withikill —
Smithecrofte — Cowyke viU, belonging to the soke of Snaythe— Roucliffe moor — Acre water fishery — Pikering castle, forest, &c.,
with the fees appertaining, vi2' — Middleton — Levesham Finhilwode — Gotherland— Aleintoftes — Thwaite — Lingthwaite — Rumbald —
Haretoft — Folketon marsh — Ednesmershe — Brumpton — Scalby — Hobye — Esingwolde — Credeling manor. Divers rents and reprises
issue out of the manors aforesaid.
"In the County of Northumberland. — Dunstanburgh castle — Staunford barony, with its members — viz. Emeldon — Danstan —
Burton — Wamdam — Shipplay — Crauncestre — Fenton — Newton-on-the-Moor & Cartington.
" In the County of Huntingdon. — Huntingdon rent — Gomecestre rent.
" In the County of Rutland. — Tye, two leets — Casterton Magna, two leets.
" In the. County of Northampton. — Higham Ferrers- Raimdes vill — Ruasheden vill— Irchestre vill — Hegham hundred as of the
honor of Tuttebury — Davintre manor — Eathaddon, two leete— Helmingden— Lylleborne— Dodeford, two leets — Wedoubeck, as of
the honor of Leycester.
" In the County of Surrey. — Erwell, the tenement called Hertegrave.
" In the County of Middlesex. — London, the messuage called the Savoye, with shops & rents appertaining.
" In the County of Lincoln. — Lincoln county, 14 fees in the same belonging to the castle Lancaster — Retrecombe court.
" In the County of /Siaforci.- Newcastle-under-Lyne manor, castle & borough, with members, viz.— Clayton vill— Wolstauton—
SheltoD vill— passage of the sea— Stoke, advowson of the church— Cliff wood— Bradenef lands & tenements.
"In the County of Hereford and Marches of IFaZes.— Monemouthe castle, vill, & demesne— Grossemont castle— Skenfrithe lands,
&c.— Album caatle & demesne— Karakenmyn castle— Oggemore castle— Ebbothe manor— Iskennin commote— KedweUye demesne—
Camwathlon demesne or lordship.
"In the County of Gloucester and Marches of Wales.— 'S.o&d&W manor— Eccelowe—Minsterworthe manor— Monemuthe castle—
Berton lands, &c. — Blakmorles pasture— Kedwelly castle, vill, &■ demesne.
" In the Counties of Gloucester, Hereford, and Marches of T7afe».—Carnewathlan lordship— Lananthir vill— Kaerkennyn castle
Iskennyn commote— Ogemore castle & lordship— Ebbothe manor— Shen castle, with Barton— Album castle, with Barton— Tyburtun
manor— Minstreworth manor — Rodleye manor— Monemouthe castle & lordship — Groamonde caatle & lordship— Whitcastell castle
& lordship— Kedwelly lordship— Carnwathlan lordship— Ogemore castle— Ebbothe manor.
Fees.
" In the County of 5ucis.— Tappelowe— Chalfhunt St. Peter— Saundesdron— Weston Turvile— Broughton Parva— Penna.
'• In the County of Bedford. — Suthmulne — Middleton Erneys.
'■ In the County of Cambridge. — Grauncete.
" In the County of Worcester. — Bruites Morton.
148 THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. ix.
" In the County of Lincoln.— Twelve Knights' Fees each of which renders yearly 10» for the castle-ward of Lancaster.
" In the County 0/ Sumci-srf.—Redene— North Overe. _
" /ft «/ie Co«)i«w 0/ ZJorset.— Shapewike— Swinetolre— Mayden Kyweton—Upaydehnge n n- 1 tt t,
« In the Comity of Kent.-StTode-Godmm,tone-Glyye Hastinglegh-Braborne-Chelefeldmanor-Horton-Cau stoke Hasshe.
" In the County o/S«.ex.-Scheffeld Parva-Kirsed-Kindale-Charlaxton-Flecchmg-Chi£Feld-Hothore-Est Grmstede-
Hertefelde-Claverham-Erlington-Raketon-Torrenge-Westdene-Megham-Bethiagton-Telton-Cheleworth-Chiffiekl
LylliDgeston-Bagerugg-Pyritou-Hasele-Thomele-Brightwell-Shupton upon Charewell-Bleohdon-Wighthull— Lynham-
Childeston & Sewell near Goldnorton. ., t 1 • /-.l i i wi t. at j
"In the County of £crfa.— Fyffehide-Kingeston— Southdenchesworth-Loking— Cherleton near Wantynge— Staunden-
Hanrethe-Staunford-Westhildesle-Wolhampton-Northstanden chapel-Hungerford chapel of St. John.
"In the County of TFiZte.— Choldrington, half-a-fee— Chitterne, haU-a-fee— Elcomb, half-a-fee— Merevedene, one fee-
Wrichford, half-a-fee— Hordenehuuishe, one fee-Cheokelowe, one fee— Berewike manor, one fee.
"In the County of &u«Aamp(on.— Chalghton— Katerington— Erleston— Somborne— Fyffhide near Andover -Schalden-
Bellum— Avenetum-Hertele— Langestoke— Weston— Estden—Semborne. ^^ , . t , u n. -it n^ t d 1 i,
"In the County of Dctow.— Hemly— Portheleg— ShiUingford— Ferdon— Kerdogis— Ivelegh— Clulton-Coleton Ra egh-
Fursan -Whithem -Whiston -Hoddesworth - Maneton — Prank-arswike - Southwyk — Sprayton- Woreslegh— Whitneslegh-
WoUegh— Wrix-ston— Godelee— Kippingiseote— Uppecnte -Witherige— Hole Meleford— Clompton— Clift St. Lawrence— Hordelis-
worth— Milleford— Deandon— Bourdouliston— Yowe— Hogeland & Heanis. ri ^ , w ,.
" In the Counties of Gloucester, Hereford, d; Marches of PFoZes.- Landingate— Longehope— Dounameney— Huntelege— Wisham
— Walbykney— Partbir — Dile — Cunstone — Dixton — New Castle — Cothitham — Mommouthe — Garthe— RakeniU- Holy well—
Grosemound— Chesterton— Asperton—Mayneston—Lanwarthin—Lanknethin— in the lordship of Kedwelly— Penbray— Witewike
—Hope Maloisell, Llauelthye church, St. Ismael church, Lanoonar church— In the lordship of Ograore, the under-written fees
—viz., Dourenen— Deynell— Pyncote— Lanforte— Colewinstone— Frogg Castell— Ewerdon— Puttes— Le Wike— Southdone & St.
° In tlie County of Lancaster:— \Y&\ton in Blakebornshire—Crointon—Apulton— Sutton— Eooleston-RainhuU-Knowselegh
— Torbok — Hyton— Maghull — Crosseby Parva — Kirkebye — Kirkedale — Northmeles — Argameles — Ulneswalden — Brethertou
— Hoghton — Claiton — Whelton with He' arge — WytherhuU with Bothelesworthe — Hoton — Longeton— Leilond— Enkestou —
Chenington— Chernoke— Walshewhithull— Warton in Amoundernesse— Frees— Neuton— Frekeltou—Witingham—Etheleswike—
Bura in Salfordshire- Middleton with members— Chatherton—Totinton—Mitton Parva— Wiswall—Hapton—Townlay Coldecotea
— Snoddeivorthe- Twiselton— Extwisell— Aghton— Merlaye- Lyvesay— Donnom Fobrigge-Merlaye Parva— Rosshetou—Billington
—Alnethan— Clayton— Harewode—Crofton Horneby-Ulideston— Warton in Lonesdale— Gairstang with members— Thiselton—
Prees — Kelgrimesarghe — Brininge— Merton Magna— Middelton in Lonesdale— Neuton— Makerfeld—Lauton— Keinan—Erbury—
Goldeburne— Sefton — Thorneton — Kerdou — Halghton — Burgh —Lee— Fish wicke—Dalton in Furness— Stayniuge— Midhope—
Chernoke.
"The undei--vyritten fees are held of the Honor of Tattehury.—B.!iiRh Parva — Bolton — Brightmet — Comptou-Burghton—
Childerwell— Barton in Salfordshire — Asphull — Brokholes— Dalton— Perbald— Witliington— Lostock— Romworthe— Pilkinton—
Worthington— Hoton [Beaton] under Herewiche— Tildeslegh— Sulthithe— Rixton— Asteley— Atherton— Sonky— Penkythe— Ines—
Blundell— Barton— Halsale—Windehulle—Lydegate—Egergarthe— Lancaster priory, advowaon— St. Michael-on-Wire church-
Preston church — Mary Magdalen chapel— Chypin church — Ribcaster church — Whalley, abbey of.
" Foe the Dean & Chapter of the Church op [St.] Mary op Leicester. — Preston, advowson of the church.
'■ Fob the Abbot & Convent op Whalley. — Romsgreve in the chaoe of Boulaud near Blakeborne, lands & tenements—
Penhulton, lands & tenements — Cliderhow, the tenement called Stauden— Hulorofte & Grenelaohe — Standen, 'faltag' lands, &c.—
Cliderhoo manor, lands, &c., as of the castle of Lancaster."
To this inquisition we are enabled to add a condensed transcription, from the rolls of the
duchy of Lancaster (not before published), extending through the whole period of the first ducal
administration, and which, while it sheds much light upon the early history, as well as upon the
landed possessions in the county, serves to illustrate the nature of the jura regalia exercised by
the Dukes of Lancaster in this " kingdom within a kingdom :" —
Anno 1 Duoatus, 26 Edward III. [1351-2]. "
{Office Reference Al.)
Intituled, " Pleas at Preston of three sessions of the Justices of the lord the Duke of Lancaster, in the first year of the
lord the duke that now is."
This roll contains the essoigns taken at Preston, before Hugh de Berewyk an i his associates, justices of our lord the Duke of
Lancaster, Wedne-day next before the feast of St. Margaret the Virgin, m the year of his duchy the 1st (July 13, 1351).
It contains pleadings of lands between parties, plaintiffs, and defendants, pleadings of assize mortis antecessoris, novel disseisin,
» This word, which occurs in three counties in this document, may HI. are from 25th Jan. to 24th Jan. The ditcai yoai-s of Henry, first duke,
not be a local name, but simply denotes five hides of land— H. are from 6th March to the 5th March. About ten months of every ducal
2 As the ducal, years of Henry, first duke, are neither conterminous year consequently fall in one regnal year, and the last two months of the
with the regnal years of the reigning sovereign, nor with the year of our ducal year fall in the next regnal year. — H
Lord, the following tables are appended. The regnal years of Edward
Ducal Years of Heney first Duke of Lancaster. Regnal Years of Edward III. in the same period.
Ist. eth March 1351 to 5th March 1352 25th. 6th March 1351 to 24th Jan. 1352
26th. 25th Jan. 1352 „ 1363
27th. „ 1353 „ 1354
2nd.
1362
1353
3rd.
„ 1353
1364
4th.
» 1354
1355
6th.
„ 1365
1356
6th.
1850 „
1367
7th.
1367
1368
8th.
1368
1359
9th.
„ 1359 „
1360
10th.
1360
1361
11th.
1361 to 23rd March 1361
when the duke died.
28th.
1354
„ 1355
29th.
1355
1366
SOlh.
1356
1367
81st.
1367
„ 1363
32nd.
1868
„ 1869
83rd.
1359
1360
84th.
1360
,. 1361
S6th
1361
to 23d March 1361
wliea the duke died
CHAP. IX.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
149
pleaa of debt, account, and trespass, and other claims to liberties, rights, etc., all as arising in the county palatine of Lancaster
with the judgments thereof given {inter alia as follows) : — '
" John of Winwick, parson of the church of Wygan, and lord of the borough of Wygan, appears by Robert de Prestcote or
John de Lanfield, to plead damage and the prosecution of all liberties of his vill and borough of Wygan, according to the form of
the charter which the lord the king granted to him thereof."
On the second portion of the roll, and on the first skin of such roll, after reciting the gi-ant by King Edward III., in the 25th
year of his reign (1351), to Henry, Duke of Lancaster, Earl of Derby, Lincoln, and Leicester, and steward of England, of his
dukedom of Lancaster, as therein set forth, are recorded the letters-patent to Hugh de Berewyk and others, by the said Henry,
appointing them justices of assize for his said duchy, and of pleas as well of the crown as others within the said duchy, to hold,
hear, and determine, according to the law and custom of the kingdom of England, saving to him amercements, &c. Tested at the
Savoy, 7th March, in the first year of his said duchy (1351).
In continuation of the roll are recorded a multiplicity of pleadings between various parties, to the following effect (anglicised
from the roll) : —
" John Molyneus against John Blundell of Crosseby, touching the lands upon marriage.
" John Knody of Cliderow against William de Horneby, parson of the church of Eibchester, touching lands in Cliderowe.
" John Blounte of Hazlewood, Robert Legh, and Thos. Strangeways, came on their recognizance, at the suit of John Radclif,
touching a tenement and lands in Salford. John Blounte answering that the premises were of the manor of Ordesale, and that
Henry, late Earl of Lancaster, father of Henry the duke, was seised of the lands, and granted the same by charter to the said John
Blounte, as of the manor of Ordesale."
And thus the pleadings are continued throughout the entire roll ; and, as evidences of that early period, they are applicable
to the most considerable part of the places and manors in the county palatine of Lancaster, and the early possessors' rights and
premises there.
There is a second roll distinguished A.l.a, and containing the essoigns taken at Preston before William de Fynche, or
Fyncheden, and his associates, justices of the said duke's bench, in the tenth year of his dukedom (1360-61), and in its nature
similar to the preceding roU.
Anno 2 et 3 Dooatus [1352-54].
A.2 contains pleadings and essoigns, taken at Preston before Hugh de Berewyk and others, in the second year of the said duke
and of the same nature and effect as those of the preceding rolls, and is very copious, the proceedings in many cases being fully set out.
A.2. a contains pleadings and essoigns of the like nature, as taken both at Lancaster and Preston in the fourth year of the
same duke.
A.2.b is properly considered as a roll of finest letters close and patent, and as containing charters of the fourth year of
Henry, Duke of Lancaster, being the twenty-eighth year of the reign of King Edward III. ; and the following outline comprises the
general matters, or subjects, with several of the names of persons and places applicable thereto ; —
No. on
Roll
Principal Matters.
Persons.
Places.
1.
2
Proceedings before the Justices at
Preston as to right of Fishing.
Account of Fines paid to the Duke as |
Lord for Writs of Assize. j
Richard Aghton ^. Roger Bondesson and John
Stelle, the Defendants justifying In right of
William de Heskayth, Thomas de Litherland,
the Prior of Burscogh, the Abbot of Cockersand,
and Richard de Aghton.
Merton Meer, LeWyck,
Northmeles.
Hamelton.
Richayd Bradshagh
Perbald.
Asheton-in-Makerfleld.
Peter Jerard and Wife
■ Wyndhull Manor.
. RaynhuU Manor.
"Torbock Manor.
Walshwittell Manor.
- Dalton Manor.
Wiiliam Careles
William Lawrence
Wrightynton.
ICophuU.
' Thorneton
Latou Magna.
Laton Parva.
' Ribleton Manor.
Asheton, near Preston
( Manor.
Ditton.
William de Exoestre, Parson of Crofton )
Church \
North Meyles.
Mamcestre.
• 3.
Grants by
The Duke to William de Heghfield,
at 14s. Rent, and Tenants to do
in perpetuity, 28 Acres of Land in Salford Waste, \
suit at the Lord's Mill. /
Salford Waste.
Several other grants were made to persons specified, but cancelled, as the premises became leased by the duke's charter to
John de Radeclif. „ .,. /^ , , , j xi i, j t
i. A fine of 3s. 4d. to the duke as lord for a Writ of Pone, concerning an agreement--Ceciha Orulshagh and HugH de ines.
5 The duke to Richard de Walton, the duke's approver in the parts of Blackburnshire.
" Grant of a messuage and lands in Colne and Merclesden, held by the custom of the manor and castle of Ghthero, and
other premises in Trowden, Mithum, and Trowden Chace.
150
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. ix.
Pines to the Lord for Wrili. .,,.., i j t •
fi " John de Radeolif parson o£ the church of Bury, to the doke-Hal£-a-mark [6s. 8d.] for ands m Asheton-under-Lime.
" it de Legh and Matilda his wife to the duke-13s. 4d. [a mark] for the moiety of the manor of FUxton
"Ckrissade Bolton to the duke-Half-a-mark for tenements in Newton-in-Makerfie d and Walton-m-the-Dale.
" Robert de Leeh and Matilda his wife to the duke— 13s. 4d. for the manor of Ordeshale. • .•« . , •
This course is pursued through thirteen other instances of fines of the like nature, paid by various persons m different places m
the county palatine.
De Anno 4™ Ducatcs (in doeso) [1354 55].
Recognisances of Debts.
Otho de Halsale and John de Radeclif ^^«fi . 1 ^ . 41
Richard de Rixton J?lin de Asheton -^ "" 100 marks £66 13 4 .
John, son of Adam de Claxton Sir Adam de Hoghton, Knt. ^^^"'^'^'t '^^^^ ' ^ ' *'•
Otho de Halsale The Duke 100 marks.
^™ The' Duke to Geoffrey de Langholt and Robert de Gikellswyk of Tadecastre, for the Abbot and Convent of Sallay.-Licence to
Alien in Mortmain Lands in Bradeford in Bouland, held in socage by fealty and service, and as by inquisition taken by the
Duke's command, . ■ ■ s.
The Duke to Adam de Hoghton.— Acquittance of serving on juries, So. , .^ -, ^x. n ^^ -n j nu
The Duke to John d« Haverington of Farletou.-Lease of the Manor of Horneby and its demesnes, the Castle, Deer and Chace
of Rebrundale (Ad vowsons, &c., excepted). ,,T^,,-nii tt t^-ict l
The Duke to Matthew de Southeworth.-Pardon of a debt owing to the Dake s Father Henry, Earl of Lancaster.
The Duke to John de Dyneley and Heirs.— Grant of Dunham Manor by Homage and Fealty, and ±12 : 6 : 7 per Ann. with 23.
for the Ward of Lancaster Castle. The above are all tested at Preston. j. j u t, i-
The Duke to the King.-Precept to John Cokayn and others to levy in the Duchy the remainder of Aid granted by Parliament
to King Edward III., to knight his eldest son, according to the King's Mandate, and also a Maudate of the Sheriff of Lan-
caster to assist therein. As tested at Lancaster. mi.jiDi
William de Stoklegh and Avisia de Bretargh.— Inrolment of a deed of the manor of Hyton. Tested at Preston.
Pleadings at Lmcaster of a similar nature to A.2.
Otim- Grants, from the ith to the 11th Henry, Bake of Lancaster, comprising i9th Edward III (1356) and SGth Edward III. (1363).
The Duke to William de Heghfeld and his Heirs.— Grant of 23 [? 28] Acres of Waste in Salford, at a Rent of 11« 6* reserved,
and remainder to Thomas Strangwas. Tested by Henry de Walton, Archdeacon of Richmond, Lieutenant of the Duchy of
The Duke to Richard de Dyuesargh, of Liverpool, and his Heirs.- Grant of a Messuage and Appurtenances in Castle Street,
Liverpool, which formerly belonged to Benedict le Stedeman, late Constable of Liverpool Castle, at 4" Rent p. ann., and by
Services, as the other Tenants of that Town did for their Messuages.
The Duke to Henry le Norreys. — Grant of Free Warren in Speek.
The Duke to John del Monkes.— Grant of the Wardship and Lands of Henry de Croft.
Divers Fines to the Lord for Writs of Assize.— For Lands and Tenements in Hopton, Tildesley, Ditton near Torbok, and in
Chorlegh.
The Duke to John de Perburn. — Letters of protection while abroad with the Duke in the King s Service, and similar Letters of
Protection to various other Persons.
Among numerous other entries on the Roll are various instruments by licence, warrant, writ, grant, or appointment — viz.
For holding pleas and complaints ; for keeping the statute of weights and measures ; the statutes of servants, artificers, &c., and
the record of various fines for writs of assize, &c., and therein the Writ de Conspiratione.
A Writ, diem clausit extremum, of the Lands of John de Rigmayden, in the Duchy of Lancaster.
An Exemplification of the Proceedings between Thomas de Abnay of the High Peake, and Thurstan de Holand of Salfordshire
returned in the Duke's Chancery, concerning the Manor of Denton under Downeshagh.
A Mandate to John Haverington and others to equip the Men-at-Arms in the Duchy, with 300 Archers and others, to be dis-
patched to Newcastle-upon-Tyne, to march with the King against the Scotch.
Another Mandate on behalf of the King, as to the Alienations and Possessions of Lancaster Priory, taken with other Alien
Priories, by reason of the War with France.
Appointments to the Office of Escheator, inquiries of the conduct of Bailiffs of the Wapentakes, appointment of Justices to hear
and determine Trespasses within the Duchy, and Mandates to the Sheriff to assist in all such Premises.
A Lease of the Herbage of Musbury Park.
Grant of the Hospital of St. Leonard's at Lancaster, to be annexed to the Priory of Seton, if the Burgesses of Lancaster consent.
The Appointments of Keeperships of Forests.
Pardon of a Suit by the Duke for an Assault committed.
Grant and Confirmation of the Advowson of Wygan Church, and Letters of Protection to various Persons, wliUe staying with
the Duke in the King's Service in the Parts of Brittany.
Anno 7° Ducatus [1357-58].
Divers Fines for Writs of Assize of Lands and Tenements in Longtre, Hepay, and Dokesbury, Great Peuhulton, Great Merley,
Bury, Middleton, and Penhulton, in Salfordshire.
Grant of Land and Turbary in Salford, and divers Fines for Premises in Westlegh, Flixton, Whitton, Weryngton, Sonokey,
Penketh, Burtonwood and Laton, Great Merton, Bispham, Pynington, Bold, Lydiat, Thorneton near Befton, Culcheth, Tildesley,
Glaeebrook, Bedeford, Halsale, WyndhuU, lues near Crosby, and Ines Blundell, including the Writs Post Dissesin, forma Donationes,
Dedimus Potestatem, and the Writ de Ingressu.
A Mandate by the Duke for the King, to William de Horneby and Richard de Towuley, to Collect and levy the tenths and
fifteenths within the Duchy of Lancaster.
A Pardon by the Duke of the Suit of Peace against Hugh le Maohon of Abingham, indicted for Housebreaking at Chorley.
Anno 8° Duoatus [1358-59].
The Duke's Mandate to Justices assigned to try certain Malefactors, against whom the Parson of the Church of Wygan, and
the Lord of the Town, had complained regarding the hindrance of his Bailiffs in the performance of their duties, and his Mandate
to the Sheriff of the Duchy to assist therein.
CHAP. IX. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 151
Divers Fines for Writs de Conventione, &c., concerning Lauds in Culcheth, Mamcestre Manor, and tlie Advowsons of the
Churches of Mamcestre and Assheton ; Lands in Chippyu, Eggeworth Manor ; Lands in Liverpool, Penhulton in Saltordshire Cul-
chith and Hyndelegh Manors, Croxteth Park, Flixton Manor, Kenyan, and the Manor of Huyton. '
A Grant of the Herbage of the Foss of Lancaster Castle, and of the place called Bernyard in Lancaster.
An Acquittance of serving the Office of Juror, Escheator, Coroner, or Bailiff.
A Release of Rent for Lands held by John Baret in Derby, Liverpool, Everton, and elsewhere within the Duchy.
A Pardon by the Duke to John de Etheleston, indicted for extorting money and other offences, and a Pardon to William de
Tvvys, of Transgressions.
A Lease of the Fishery in the River Ribble at Penwortham, with the Meadows there. Tested by the Duke at Preston.
Anko 9° DuoATCs [1359-60].
Appointment of Justices in Eyre for Pleas of the Forests.
Precepts to the Sheriff to make a Proclamation for holding Sessions at Preston, and to summon Persons to attend before the
Justices there.
Pardons for Trespasses of Vert and Venison in Duchy forests, and other Trespasses.
Grant of Free Warren in Halsal and Ryuecres.
Lease of the Herbage called Veden and Mufden.
Grant of a Yearly Rent of 20' to William de Liverpool, out of the Manor of West Derby,
Licence to take Gorse from Toxteth Park.
Pardons for Trespasses in the Duchy Forests, and in Toxteth Park.
Pardon upon Indictment for Offences against the Statutes of Servants and Labourers.
Divers Fines upon Writs for Lands in various places.
The Duke, in behalf of Roger la Warre. — Commissioners appointed to inquire into the said Roger's Petition, showing that he
held the Town of Mamcestre as a Boro' and Market Town, and enjoyed certain Liberties there, and in the Manor and Hamlets, and
that the Duke's Bailiffs had interfered to levy Amerciaments, &c.
A Licence to Alien in Mortmain Lands in Lancaster.
Grant of Lands in Salford to Thomas del Olers, and others.
Grant of a Messuage in Preston escheated to Henry, Earl of Lancaster, by Felony.
A Mandate to the Escheator of the Duchy to interfere no further in a Chapel and Lands in Audreton, which had been seized
into the Duke's bands by the late Escheator, it being found, by Inquisition, that the Church of Standish was endowed therewith.
Anno lOmo Ducatds [1360-61],
The Duke to Adam de Skilyngcorn. — Licence to take with him a Body Guard within the Duchy of Lancaster, for the Defence
and Protection of his Person,
Pardon to Agnes del Birches, for producing a forged Charter before the Justices, in an Action as to Tenements in Astelegh.
Grant of Lands in Penhulton.
Mandate to the Escheator of the Duchy for Livery of Seisin of Lands held by au Outlaw for Felony in Chipyn, the Duke having
had his Year, Day, and Waste.
Mandate to Collect and Levy within the Duchy the tenth and fifteenth granted by Parliament, to defray the Expenses of War,
Appointment of Bailiff of the Manor of Derby for Life, at twopence a-day for his Wages,
Appointment of Keeper of Toxteth Park for L'fe, with the Grant of Skeryorderock within the Sea, to construct a Fishery there.
Mandate to the Duchy Escheator to interfere no further as to Land in Kirden [Cuerden], seized into the Duke's hands upon
Felony,
Appointment of Keeper of Quernmore Park.
Mandate to the Duchy Escheator to deliver Lands which had been seized into the Duke's hands upon the Marriage of one of
the Duke's Maidens, a legal Divorce having subsequently taken place.
A Pardon upon Indictment for catching Fish at Heton Norres,
Fines for Lands in Hunersfeld and Stalmyn,
Grant of a Messuage and Lands in Salford, which came to the Duke's hands by the death of Richard de Tetlowe, who was a
Bastard, and died without Heir — Remainder to 'Thomas de Strangwas,
Grant of Lands in Ingoll,
Grant of an Escheat in Salford,
Divers Fines for Writs de Attincta, Writs of Assize, and the Writ de Debito,
Grant of 20 Marks [£13 63, 8d,] yearly out of the Manor of We.st Derby,
Grant of Wardship and Marringe of William de \Vartou.
Appointment of Justices to try Malefactors for Trespasses in the Chaies of Bowland, Penhull, Trowden, Rochdale, Rossendale,
and Romesgrene.
Grant of the Wardship and Marriage of Thomas de Haverington,
Grant of Lands and Tenements in Gosenargh, escheated by Felony.
Lease for 20 Years of the Foreign Wood of Myerscough.
Mandate to the Duchy Escheator to interfere no further in Premises at Ribblechester, seized into the Duke's Hands on the
Felony of Roger de Allele.
An Indenture of Agreement concerning Tenements in Romesgrene and the towns of Penhulton and Cliderowe, between the
Duke and the Abbot and Convent of Whalley.
Grant of the Bailiwick of Derby Wapentake for Life, , „ , , ■ j ■ . j-i
Mandate to the Duchy Escheator not to interfere further as to Messuages and Lands in Asteley and Hyndeley, seized into tue
Duke's Hands by reason of the Felony of Richard de Atherton,
On t!ic lack and in continuation of this Roll to the followiny effect : —
The Duke to Adam Skillingcorn.— A Lease of a Place called Hoddesdone for 12 Years, at £2 63, 8d, per Ann, Henry Le Norres
of Speek, and others, for the Duke.
Recognisance of Debts and divers other Recognisances of Debts, „ . i-i, m
A Lease by the Duke to William, son of Adam of LyverpuU, and More de LyverpuU, and others de Lyrerpull, ot the J-Own,
with all the Mills of the same Town, together with the Rents and Services, and the Passage of the Water of Merese, with the
Turbary of Toxteth Park and the stallages as therein particularised, [The Instrument, as enrolled, is very obscure. It is tested,
Henry de Walton, Lieutenant of the Duchy, at Lancaster, 24th March, 11th Year of the said Duke— 1361.] '
' The duko died the day before this dute, — li.
l-,2 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. ohap. ix.
Mandate to John Haverington and other?, to raise Soldiers, Men-at-Arms, and Archers, in the Wapentakes of_ Amounderness,
Fourneys, and Lonsdale, within the Duchy, to march against the Scotch. And like Mandates to others for Derbyshire, Salfordsbire,
Blakeburnahire, and Leylondshire Wapentakes, with a distinct Mandate to the Sheriff to assist.
Grant of a'yearly Rent of £10 to Henry Ditton out of the Lands of Thomas Ditton.
Grant of Wardship and Lauds and Marriage of William the son of Robert de Frees.
The Duke's Pardon of Suit for Trespass and Hunting at Blakelegh Park.
Grant of Holtefeld in Salford.
Pardon of Peace to the Vicar of Kirkham Church for mal-admmistration m his Office of Dean of Amounderness.
Mandates to raise 300 Archers, to accompany the Duke to Brittany, from the various Wapentakes.
Grant of a Paviage for Preston, and for Customs on Merchandise in aid thereof.
Admissions of Attorneys to plead in the Duchy Courts.
Justices assigned for observing the Statute of Weights and Measures.
Permission to inquire of lands in Hornclyve.
Grant of the Wardship of Lands of Adam de Mondesley.
Paviage for the Town of LyverpuU for two Years. ,„.-,, t^ , i, t^ , , • i_ j
Mandate to the Duchy Escheator for Livery of Seisin of Lands in Radechf, ss forfeited by Felony, the Duke having had year,
day, and waste. , ■ t^ ,
Confirmation of a Grant of Henry, Earl of Lancaster, to William Norreys, of Lands in Derby.
Writ of the Disseisin of Dokesbury [Duxbury] Manor.
Tbe like of Lands in Chorley. , „. t.-it,i
Mandate to the Escheator for Land in Penwortham, seized for withdrawing of the service of a Boat over the River Ribble.
Writ of the Disseisin for Lands in Ellale.
Grant of the Site of Ulneswalton Manor to Richard de Hibernia, the Duke's Physician, with Liberty to be Toll free and Hopper
free at the Duke's Mills.
Grant of Allowance to the Town of Overton to grind Corn at the Duke's Mill at Lone.
Grant of the Custody of St. Mary's Chapel at Syngleton.
Pardon for Trespasses in the Duchy Forests.
Pardon for JSfon-Appearance in Court.
Justices assigned to keep the Waters in which Salmons are caught.
Justices to inquire of Stoppages in the Duchy Rivers, and chiefly the Ribble, to the injury of Penwortham Fishery.
Appointments of Stewardships.
Pard on of a Fine pro Licentia Concordandi, as to Tenements in Mamcestre.
Inquisition and Letters Patent touching the Manor of Mamcestre as a Market Town and Boro' with the Hamlets thereto.
The Duke to Thomas de Lathum and Wife.
Licence to hold Knouselegh Park.
Agreement touching the Wardship of Lands and the Marriage of Richard de Molyneux of Sefton.
Divers Letters of Protection for Persons serving the King abroad.
Confirmation of a Lease of the Manor of Aldeclif to the Prior of Lancaster.
Warrant to levy 520 Marks (£346 : 13 : 4) from the Freeholders of Quernmore F. rest and the Natives of Lonsdale, as their
portion of £1,000 Fine for Trespasses against the Assize of the Forest.
Several Mandates to the Escheators concerning various Lands seized.
Divers pardons for Trespasses and Assaults.
Exemplification of Proceedings touching the Intail of the Manor of Bury.
The like as to Lands in Harewode, the Water of Hyndeburne, and Clayton on the Jlores.
[The other Records of the Annals of the Duchy are marked A.4. and A.5., and are similar in their contents to A.l. These
RoUs terminate the Records of the first Duke, who died in the year 1361, without male issue.]
So rich an inheritance as the dukedom of Lancaster could not remain long in abeyance. The
marriage of John of Gaunt, the fourth son of the reigning monarch of England, to Lady Blanche,
the youngest daughter of the deceased duke, produced the almost immediate revival of the title,
and the subsequent death of lady Maud, her elder sister, without issue, invested Duke John with
the whole of those extensive possessions which the first duke had left to his children. The con-
fidence reposed by the king in this, his favourite and most highly-gifted son, conferred upon him
everything but sovereign power ; and his second marriage with Constance, the eldest daughter of
Peter the Cruel, obtained for him the title of King of Castile and Leon. In this character he
obtained the right to coin money, and several pieces were struck bearing his superscription. The
wars in which he was engaged have already been adverted to,^ and the history of this munificent
duke shortly portrayed. His claim to the throne of Sicily, founded on no just pretension, produced
a strong remonstrance on the part of his holiness Pope Urban V., who issued on the occasion one of
those bulls at the bare name of which princes and kings were accustomed to tremble. This bull
is still preserved, though divested of its seal. The inquiry upon what legitimate ground the Duke
of Lancaster founded his pretensions to the kingdom of Sicily he was not able to answer to the
Pope's nuncio, and from that time this claim seems to have been abandoned.
The Continental wars in which the EngUsh were engaged did not prevent them from embarldng
on a crusade against Ireland, that unfortunate country Avhich has for so many centuries been the
scene of opjaression and misgovernment. In a writ addressed to the sheriff of Lancashire by the
king, the Irish people are characterised as " our enemies, and rebels ; " and it is announced to the
sheriff that Lionel, Duke of Clarence, the king's son, is on his way to Ireland to coerce the "rebels"
into subjection, and the ports of Liverpool and Chester are required to send ships, properly manned,
to support the expedition, (1361).' That the object of this armament was not very speedily
accomplished may be inferred from the fact that,, two years afterwards, a proclamation was issued
1 Sue chap. iv. = Pat. 85 Edw. lU. p. 2. m. 24, Tun-. Lend.
CHAP. IX. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 15§
by the king for seizing eighty ships, of thirty tons burden and upwards, wherever they could be
found, on the western coast, between Bristol in Somersetshire and Furness in Lancashire, which
ships were to be sent to Lyverpole, before the feast of St. Peter ad Vincula (Aug. 1), to assist
Prince Lionel in carrjdng on the war against Ireland. At that time the exports of Liverpool were
very subject to the restrictions of orders in council. In 1362 the bailiffs of Liverpool and John,
Duke of Lancaster, both received orders from the government to prohibit the exportation of
provisions of various kinds, as well as of dyewares and other commodities, which prohibition
extended to cloths called " worstedes," ' and to sea-coal, then recently discovered as an article of
fuel ; and similar interdicts, soon after issued, extended the prohibition to horses, linen, woollen
yarns, jewels, and the precious metals. Liverpool was at that period rising, though slowly, into
importance ; and an order was issued by the king to the admiral on the station, as well as to the
sheriff of the county, and the mayor and bailiff's of the borough, to rebuild (de novo construere) a
bridge over the Mersey within their lordship. The alarm of invasion was again spread with great
assiduity, and the royal proclamations of 1369 diligently propagated these apprehensions, in order
to quicken the transmission of the public supplies. Adam de Hoghton, Roger de Pilkinton, William de
Atherton, Richard de Radclyf, and Matthew de Rixton, commissioners of array for the county of
Lancaster, were appointed, by royal mandate (1369), to press and enrol four hundred archers in
Lancashire, to accompany John, Duke of Lancaster, to Aquitaine f and the archbishops, bishops,
abbots, priors, dukes, marquesses, earls, barons, and castellans, were informed that the king
had appointed his son, the Duke of Lancaster, his captain and lieutenant in " Guynes and
Caleys," the Black Prince having then returned to England broken in health. In the following
month the sheriff of Lancaster was commanded to array, by himself or his deputies, all men in the
county capable of bearing arms between the ages of sixteen and sixty years, and to cause them to
be in readiness, and properly equipped, to resist the French, who threatened to invade England, to
obstruct the passage of merchants and merchandise, and to abolish the English language ! ' By a
subsequent proclamation it was ordained that the men-at-arms, hobelers, and archers in the county
of Lancaster should be in complete readiness by Palm Sunday (April 7, 1370), and William de
Risseby, John Blake, clerk, Matthew de Rixton, and Richard ap Llewellyn Vaughan, had confided
to them the power to arrest all ships, from twelve to forty tons burthen, in the ports of Lyverpull,^
and all other places from thence to Chester, that port included, and to send them to the ports of
Southampton and Plymouth by Sunday next before the feast of Pentecost (Sunday, May 26), with
a sufficient equipment of sailors for the passage, to embark in the expedition of John, Duke of Lan-
caster, and others in his company, going to Gascony.' To prosecute all these hostile operations the
king, this year, by the authority of Parliament, levied upon the parishes of England a tax of fifty
thousand pounds, each parish being required to pay five pounds fifteen shillings, the greater to help
the less. From this return it appears that there were then eight thousand six hundred and thirty-
two parishes in England, and that the contribution of
Lancashire, for its 58 parishes, was ^^^6 8
Westmoreland, 32 „ „ Vtl ^i "
55d lb U
Cumberland, 96
Middlesex, exclusive of London, 63 parishes, was
365 8
638
London, 110 parishes, was °^°
Yorkshire, 540 „ „ '^^''^ "
But It was in vain that John of Gaunt marched through France from Calais to Bordeaux; the
French were ready to harass him by skirmishes, but not to fight m any general engagement, and
as a consequence no great battle occurred.
By an indenture, made in 1371, between the king and his son John, Duke of Lancaster, King
of Castile and Leon, the duke grants to his father the county, castle, town, and honor ot Richmond,
in exchange for the castle, manor, and honor of Tykhill, castle and manor ot High Peak with
knights' fees, together with the advowson of the churches of Steyndrop and Brannspath, the
free chapels of Tykhill and High Peak, the church and free chapel of Marsfeld, the ^'ee chapel of
Pevenese, the priory of Wylmyngdon, the priory of Whitiham, and the house of St. Robert ot
Knaresborough with the castle, manor, and honor of Knaresborough, the hundred or wapentake
of Staynclifff in Yorkshire, and the manor of Gryngeley and Whetebury^ At the same time an
order was issued by the king to the freemen, and all other tenants on the exchanged possessions
ordering them to obey John, Duke of Lancaster; and similar orders were given by the ^f Jo
the venerable fathers, all and singular his archbishops, bishops, and other prelates of churches,
■ This well-known woollen fabric derived its name from Worstead, » Kot. V™. « Edw !„ 3 Tur, Lond
then a busy town, but now an unimportant village about a dozen miles Rot. Fiane. 4* Edw. Ill m 25 ^™^^° -.f^, L„„a,
north of Norwich where the manufacture was earned on.-C. Rot, 1 at 1 Klcli. U. p. 1. por 1
2 Rot. Vascon. 43 Edw. HI. m. 5, Turr. Lond.
21
l,-,4 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. ix.
and to his earls, viscounts, barons, and others holding of the castle, honor, and county of Rich-
mond," announcing that he had granted to his royal father and lord the county of Richmond, and
commanding that all vassals and feudatories should perform homage, fealty, and all other services
and duties to the king. ^
The prerogatives of jura regalia conferred upon John of Gaunt in his duchy and county pala-
tine of Lancaster were greatly enlarged by the royal bounty, by which he was appointed the king's
especial lieutenant and captain-general of "our kingdom of France," and in Aquitaine and the
parts beyond the sea.^ This authority was still further enlarged by the memorable charter granted
to the duke in the early part of the reign of his royal nephew (June, 1379), of which charter it
may be said in a feAV words that it gave the largest powers possible to a subject to John of Gaunt,
both upon the sea and in France, Aquitaine, and " elsewhere in all parts beyond the sea."
The persons embarked with the duke in his foreign expeditions were privileged by royal
authority, and letters of protection were granted by the king, directing that all noblemen and
others attached to the expedition should cross the sea without delay, so that none of them should
be found in this country after the approaching feast of St. John the Baptist (June 24, 1379).
Amongst others engaged in this expedition, and to whom letters of protection were addressed, we
find the names of Robert, son of William de Clyfton ; William de Barton, of Ridale ; Adam del
Darn ; Henry Fitzhenry, son of Thomas de Alkeryngton ; John de Ribelton, of Preston, in Amon-
dernesse; Hugh de Tyldesley; John Redeman; and Adam, son of Adam de Lancaster.
Ireland was still treated as a conquered country, and each successive lord-lieutenant, instead of
sailing for that island in the character of a messenger of peace, was armed with a strong naval and
military force, as if embarking against a hostile state. Accordingly, we find an order from the king
to the sheriffs (1373), announcing that he had appointed Simon Charwelton, clerk, and Walton de
Eure, to arrest ships of from twenty to two hundred tons burthen in Bristol and the other western
ports as far as Lyverpole, at which latter place they were to rendezvous, for the passage of William
de Wyndesore, "governor and warden of the land of Ireland."''
In these early days, amongst all the restrictions on commerce, we find no laws against the
importation of grain, but there are frequent interdicts against the exportation of that article ; and
hence we have, in the year 1375, a precept to the sheriff of the county of Lancaster, directing him
not to allow the exportation of wheat, barley, or other grain from this county.
The reign of Edward III., though a period of Avar and mihtary renown, terminated in peace.
For the restoration of this blessing the country was indebted to John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster,
Avho, in virtue of the powers with which he was invested, concluded a treaty of peace with
Flanders, and also a truce with France, which, after having been prorogued from time to time,
terminated finally in an adjustment of the differences between the two nations. In the last year of
this king's reign (1377) a grant, as we have already seen, of chancery in the county palatine of
Lancaster was made by the Duke of Lancaster ; ^ and the reign concluded, as it had begun, with
favours and privileges to the ducal house, which had long held the first station amongst the peers
of the realm, and Avas speedily to be advanced to sovereign poAver.
' Ex. origin, in Turr. Lond. . ■•> Pat, 47 Edw. Ill n. 2 m "4 Tun- T nnd
' Rot. Franc. 47 Edw. HI, m. 19, Turr. Lend. > Bee chap iv.
CHAPTER X.
Power of John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster-The Duke's Expedition to Spain-Larger Measure in Lancashire than any other part
of the Kingdom-Accession of the House of Lancaster to the Throne-Grant of the Isle of Man, first to Henry, Earl of
Northumberland, and afterwards to Sir John Stanley, Knight-Annals of the Duchy-Charters of the Duchy-Will of
Henry IV.-Heury V. ascends the Throne-Union of the County of Hereford to the Duchy of Lancaster-Battle of
Agincourt— Death of Henry V.— His Bequest of the Duchy of Lancaster— a.d. 1377 to 1422.
OHN OF GAUNT, Duke of Lancaster, had now attained his meridian power, and
the reign of Eichard II. may not inaptly be called the regency and Yice-royalty
of the duke. Though the king swayed the sceptre, his noble uncle guided the
arm that wielded it ; and all the principal measures of his reign were supposed
by the people, and not without cause, to emanate from the palace of the Savoy
or the castle of Lancaster. No subject of the realm had by any means equal
power in this kingdom; and, as the representative of the king in foreign
countries, he exercised prerogatives seldom confided to a subject. The wealth
of the duke was immense, but the splendour and state which he maintained absorbed and even
anticipated his princely income. The arts were then slowly emerging from the night of the middle
ages ; the dogmas of the schools and the superstitions of the monasteries were shaken by the risinw
spirit of inquiry ; poetry, hitherto almost unknown in this island, except in the effusions of the
Welsh bards and of Caedmon, began to be cultivated; and "time-honoured Lancaster" was
amongst the most munificent patrons of genius in his age and nation.
In the "process and ceremony of the coronation" of Eichard II. (July 16, 1377), who was now
but eleven years of age, we find the names of John, Duke of Lancaster, Eoger le Strange de Knokyn,
John la Warre, Henry de Grey de Wilton, and Archibald de Grelly, all names connected with the
county of Lancaster, and attached, for the purposes of this ceremony at least, to the king's court.
This " process " John, King of Castile and Leon, Duke of Lancaster, and'high steward of England,
delivered with his own hand into the king's court of chancery.' The ceremonial, which was one of
unusual splendour, was performed almost as soon as the obsequies of the late king were ended, and
was doubtless hastened by the fact that apprehensions were entertained of the ambitious designs
of John of Gaunt, who, as eldest surviving son of Edward III., expected to be sole regent. The
Parliament assembled in October of the same year, when, at the request of the Commons, the
Lords, in the king's name, appointed nine persons, of whom the Duke of Lancaster was one, to be
a permanent council of the king, and further resolved that, during the king's minority, the appoint-
ment of all the chief officers of the crown should be with the Parliament. The decision was a
grievous disappointment to the duke, and his feelings must have been ill-concealed, for there is
upon the rolls of Parliament a speech that he made, in which he demanded the punishment of
those who had spoken of him as a traitor. But the times were serious for England, and men's
minds were exercised less by the doings in Parliament at home than by the prospect of impending
danger abroad. The wars of Edward III. had produced no permanent advantage, but had
engendered a spirit of revenge that threatened the safety of the country. The truce with France
had expired, and Charles V., acting in concert with Spain, had lost no time in renewing hostilities ;
the Scots, ever restless, were again in arms, and had succeeded in burning Eoxburgh and capturing
Berwick. There were, in fact, enemies all round ; commerce was interrupted, the seaports were
ravaged, and the Isle of Wight had been plundered. The high reputation of the duke pointed
him out as the mediator of differences, whether of a national or a domestic kind ; and after having
settled the quarrel with France and with Belgium, we find him appointed a commissioner to
compose the ancient differences between the gallant Earls of Northumberland and Douglas.^ In
1378 the prerogatives oijura regalia were renewed in favour of " King John," Duke of Lancaster,
as he was called, on going abroad, and rendered as extensive as they were in the time of King
Edward III. The privilege of coining money in the city of Bayonne and other places was at the
same time renewed.^ In the same year the duke's eldest son, Henry of Bolingbroke, whose name
figures so prominently in later history, was deemed of sufficient age to receive the honour of
1 Richard II. claus. 1. m. 44.
" Scoi. 1 Richard II. m. 7.
' -2 Richard II., Vase. S. R.
156 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. x.
knighthood, and his father, in accordance with custom, in the second year of his regality (1378),
issued a summons to Richard de Townley, the sheriff, to levy the usual aid to make him a knight.
The followin<T year plenary power was given to the duke in the marches of Scotland. While
clothed with these powers the duke concluded a peace with Scotland, Avhich was confirrned by the
king, his nephew, at Northampton, and proclaimed in this county, under the designation of the
" Great Truce," by the sheriff of Lancaster, at the end of the year 1 380. The insurrection of Wat
Tyler and his confederates, in which the house of the Duke of Lancaster, situated in the Savoy in
London, was destroyed,' interrupted the proceedings of the court of justice at Westminster ; on
which occasion a proclamation was issued by the king to the Duke of Lancaster, ordaining that on
account of the unheard-of and horrible commotions and insurrections of the people in the kingdom
of England, and for averting the dangers arising from the incursions of foreign enemies, as well as
for other reasons, all the pleadings in the Court of King's Bench stood adjourned; and all writs
and mandates delivered to the duke, his chancellors, justiciaries, sheriffs, or other ministers,
within the county of Lancaster, should be returned on the octaves of St. Michael (Oct. 7, 1380),
instead of at the usual period.^ The seditions which originated in the neighbourhood _ of London
spread into the provinces ; and rumours were very extensively circulated that these disturbances
were fomented by the Duke of Lancaster and other peers, in order to procure the deposition of the
king, that they might usurp the royal authority. To these rumours it was judged proper to give
the most positive and solemn contradiction, in consequence of which a proclamation was issued
by the king to all archbishops, prelates, and others, wherein it was announced that a hateful
rumour, which wounded and grieved the royal heart beyond measure, had been diffused
throughout divers parts of the kingdom, representing that the detestable disturbance in certain
counties of England, against their allegiance to the king and the public peace, had been instigated
by John, Duke of Lancaster, and certain others, prelates and faithful subjects; which rumours the
proclamation denounced as wicked inventions, and declared the duke had always been faithful and
zealous for the honour and safety of the country (1381).' These sinister rumours, notwithstanding,
at length became so prevalent as to endanger the personal safety of the duke ; and a proclamation
was in consequence issued to Henry de Percy, Earl of Northumberland, and to John, Lord de
Nevyll, appointing them to raise a bodyguard for the duke, with all possible despatch, both
men-at-arms and archers, to protect him against the violence of his enemies. A mandamus was
also directed to the sheriff of Lancashire to make proclamation within the duchy of the ordinances
against unlawful assemblies, &c., as recited in the royal mandate of June 18, 4 Rich. II. (1380).*
The duke was at the same time appointed the king's justiciary, to inquire, on oath, within the
counties in his duchy, and the county palatine of Lancaster, into depredations, robberies,
homicides, burnings, and rapes, with power to punish the offenders. That these crimes had
attained to a frightful magnitude in Lancashire may be inferred from a species of royal
proclamation issued by the king and duke (King of Castile and Duke of Lancaster) to the sheriff
of the county of Lancaster, preserved in the archives of the duchy,'' in which, after ordaining that
the " holy Anglican Mother Church " shall have all its liberties whole and unimpaired, and fully
enjoy and use the same, and that the great charter and forest charter shall, according to the
statute 6 Rich. II. cap. 6 (1382), be firmly observed, proceeds to say that so licentious had become
the public manners, that the female character was treated with the greatest disrespect, and "ladies
and other noble maids and women," were frequently violated by force, and that the resentment
of the persons subject to these outrages was so slight that numbers of them married their ravishers;
for remedy of which it was ordained, that if after such outrage the parties contracted marriage,
they should both of them be disabled, ipso facto, from maintaining any inheritance, dowry, or
conjoint feoffment, or from receiving any bequest from their ancestors, and that the inheritance
should descend to the next in blood." The crime of abduction at this time was of frequent
occurrence, and the carrying off a wife by force was by no means uncommon among knights and
gentlemen as well as those of the meaner sort. The frequent wars at home and abroad, with the
absence of any settled police, seem to have emboldened the young gallants of the day in the evil
practice, ni which they easily found lawless followers to help them.
For the purpose of interposing a barrier against the progress of the Scots in their future
attempts to invade the northern counties of England, a treaty was entered into and ratified between
John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, and Henry de Percy, Earl of Northumberland (1383), in which
It was stipulated that the freemen of the counties of Lancaster and Durham should be charged by
J See chap iv. p. 40. The Savoy palace was built by Petcv, Eavl of Pat. 6 Richard II. p. 1. m 32
Savoy and Richmond, on whose death it escheated to the crown ; and « Patent Rolls Richard II — C
Henry I [I. conferred it on his son, Edmund Crouchback, through whom » Roll A 6 m 16
It became a possessiori of the Earls of Lancaster. « Scot. 7. ijicliard II. m. 1.
' Claua. 4 Richard II. m. 1,
CHAP. X. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 157
the lord to assemble and to come with all their power, whenever proclamation was made by
the Eai;l of Northnmberland that the Scots had laid siege to any castle in the allegiance of the
,r^-, ^^e stipulations of this treaty were soon brought into active operation, for on the 17th
March, 1384, a mandate was addressed to Ralph de Radclyf, sheriff of Lancashire, to meet the
Duke of Lancaster at Newcastle-on-Tyne, on the 24th March "next," with all the men-at-arms
and archers arrayed withm the duchy for the defence of the realm against the Scotch ' The Scots
aided by a body of French cavalry, renewed their incursions into Cumberland, Westmorland and
Lancashire, where they committed the most extensive outrages, on which the Kinc of Eno'iand
havmg assembled an army of 60,000 men, issued an order to the Duke of Lancaster "to meet him
with horse and arms at Newcastle, on the 14th of July (USiy With this army the youno' king
penetrated into Scotland, and, after having burnt the capital and laid waste all the towns and
villages through which he had to pass, advanced as far as Dundee. This signal act of retributive
justice put an end to the invasions of the Scots, and restored peace to the two countries.
A charge of high treason, in compassing the death of the king, and usurping his throne
was this year made, by John Latimer, B.D., an Irish Friar of the Franciscan order, ao-ainst
the Duke of Lancaster, which charge the duke, who had then just returned from his expedition
into Scotland, vehemently denied, and required to be confronted with his accuser; but on
the eve of the trial, according to Kennett,^ "Lord John Holland, the king's half-brother, and
Sir Henry Green, two of the duke's friends, entered the friar's lodgings, and cruelly put him to
death with their own hands, by hanging him up by the neck and privy members, and laying a
great stone upon his breast, which broke his neck ; and, as if they had perpetrated this enormity
by public authority, they drew his dead body through the streets the next day, as being deservedly
punished as a traitor. This cruel action brought upon the duke much dishonour, and, though it
ridded him_ of a false accuser, as was thought till the friar was so illegally put to death, yet it
rendered his innocence more suspicious than before ; and many believed him really guilty who
before thought him falsely accused." This, to be sure, was a monstrous infraction of law and
justice, and might well subject the duke to suspicion, if the fact could have been established that
he was a party to the murder, in which light the punishment of the friar must be viewed ; but we
do not find in the records of the day any evidence of this fact. It was an unfortunate trait in the
king's character that he surrounded himself with ministers who were ready to foment the feeling
of jealousy he entertained towards his uncles. The Duke of Lancaster was unpopular, and was
generally suspected of the most ambitious and criminal designs ; he appears, however, to have
possessed many of the high qualities of a statesman — prudent, iDut not an enemy to improvement —
generous without prodigality — possessing great wealth and influence, but there is no evidence of his
ever having employed his power in any act of disloyalty to his nephew. While the duke was in
France (August, 1384), with a grand retinue to renew the negotiations for peace, the king's
ministers took advantage of his absence to bring his great partisan, John Northampton, late lord
mayor of London, to trial, confiscated his estates, and sentenced him to perpetual imprisonment
a hundred miles beyond the city, and, encouraged by their success, they formed the bold design of
bringing the duke himself to trial for treason before Sir Robert Tresillian, chief justice of the
King's Bench — a design as impudent as it was illegal. The duke, informed of their intention,
retired to his castle at Pontefract, and everything seemed to threaten a civil war, when the king's
mother, with much difficulty, patched up a kind of reconciliation between the king and
Lancaster.
The war with Scotland being ended, and the Duke of Lancaster feeling that his possessions in
the duchy and county palatine were secure, he prepared to enforce his claim, in right of his wife,
to his inheritance in Spain,-* leaving his son Henry, Earl of Derby, as his locum tenens in his
absence. In this expedition, the most splendid of the age, he was accompanied by his chancellor,
William de Ashton, Esq., "Thomas de Ashton, Esq., John de Eccleston, of Lyverpole, Esq., and
Thomas Holcroft, Esq., all of the county of Lancaster, with a number of knights and gentlemen, to
whom letters of protection were given by the king.' On the 12th March, in the tenth year of his
regality, Robert de Urswyk, escheator, Ralph de Radclyf, sheriff, John Croft, of Dalton, chr., and
Thomas de Radclyf were appointed commissioners, by authority of a royal warrant, to elect a
thousand of the best archers in the duchy, to proceed with the duke to Spain when summoned."
Previous to his departure, the duke entered into an engagement with the king his nephew that
he would not make any treaty with the crown of Spain unless upon the condition that the King of
Spain should pay to the King of England 20,000 gold doubloons ; and the duke further engaged
I Patent Eolla (Duchy Records) 7 Pachard II.— C. •> See chap i?.
= Claus 8. Richard II. m. 3. d. ° Patent Rolls (Duchy Records) 9 Richard II.- C.
' Vol. i. p. 262. ° Ibid.—C.
158 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. x.
that he would repay to the king 20,000 marks (£13,333 6s. 8d.), which he had borrowed to defray
the expenses incident to the fitting out of this expedition. The duke was accompanied on his
expedition by his wife and his tAvo daughters, Philippa and Katharine. The fleet in which they
and their large force (the flower of English chivalry) embarked set sail in July, and the expedition
remained abroad for some time, but the result was partly a failure and partly a success. The duke
failed in securing the coveted crown of Castile, but he succeeded in finding a royal match for each
of his daughters. The eldest, Philippa, he married to John I., King of Portugal, and the other,
Katharine, was united to Henry, Prince of the Asturias, who, on the death of his father, became
King of Spain— thus, though he lost himself a crown, he seated his descendants on the two thrones
of Spain and Portugal.^ After securing these advantageous alliances for his daughters and a large
sum of money for himself he relinquished all claim to the crown of Castile and to any title to be
called king of that country. Of this mission the following account is given in an ancient
manuscript chronicle in the Harleian collection, in the British Museum. '- [We have modernised
the spelling.]
"And in the eleventh year of the reign of King Richard II. (1387), Sir John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, went over the sea
into Spain to challenge his right that he hath by his wife's title to the crown of Spain, with a great host of people, of lords, and
knights, and squires, men-of-arms, and archers ; and had the duchess his wife and his three daughters over the sea with him in
Spain. And there they were a great while, till at last the King of Spain began [to] treat with the Duke of Lancaster ; and as they
were accorded together, through their sooth counsels, that the King of Spain should wed the duke's daughter of Lancaster that was
heir to Spain, and the King of Spain gave to the Duke of Lancaster of gold and silver that were cast into great ingots, as much as
eight chariots might carry, and many other rich jewels and gifts ; and every year after, during the life of the Duke of Lancaster and
of the duchess his wife, 10,000 marks of gold,^ and that by her [their] own adventure, costs, and charges, they of Spain should bring
these 10,000 marks every year, yearly, into Bayonne, to the duke's assigns, by surety made. And the Duke of Lancaster wedded
another daughter of his unto the King of Portingale, well and worthily, and left there his two daughters with their lords their
husbands, and came him home again into England with the good lady his wife. Duchess of Lancaster."
During the duke's absence in Spain "a submission of award " was entered into between the
honourable " Prince, King, and Duke," as he is designated in this document,* on the one part, and
William Pargrave and Igden Slingsby, Esq., on the other part, relating to the manors of Scotton,
Breareton, and Thonge, in the county of Fork, to determine how far the latter parties, in right of
their wives, the daughters of William de Westfield, were entitled to certain privileges in these
manors, the award to be made by twenty knights and esquires, the most sufficient that could be
found near to the manors in litigation.
In the year 1 388 the alarm of Scotch invasion was again very prevalent in this country, on
which the king issued a proclamation to the Duke of Lancaster, or his chancellor, announcing that
the Scots and their adherents had assembled a great army, and had hastily invaded the kingdom
of England, burning, destroying, and horribly slaying men, women, and children, and had almost
advanced to the gates of York. To repel this cruel invasion, the duke was required to make
proclamation in all cities, boroughs, and market-towns, and other places in the county and duchy of
Lancaster, that all lords, knights, esquires, and others competent to bear arms should repair with
all speed to join the king's army.'' Before the return of the duke from Spain, in 1389, the battle
of Otter bourne, on which the ballad of " Chevy Chace " was founded, had been fought, Douglas had
been made to bite the dust, and the Scots had been driven back into their own country, but the
public mind still continued agitated in the extreme by the intrigues of the Duke of Gloucester and
his adherents, who sought to usurp the royal prerogatives, and to use them for their own aggran-
disement. The presence of the Duke of Lancaster served to check the turbulent and ambiUous
spirit of his brother of Gloucester, and to restore tranquillity to the State.
Although by Magna Charta it was declared that uniform weights and measures should be used
throughout the whole kingdom, to guard against those impositions to which the people were
exposed from the arts of fraudulent dealers, the provisions of the charter had hitherto not been
enforced ; it was now ordained by the authority of the king, on petition of the Commons that a
standard measure and weight should be established for the whole kingdom, and that any person
convicted of using any other should not only make satisfaction to the aggrieved parties but should
also be imprisoned for six months without bail. The county of Lancaster was, however exempt
from this enactment, " because," as the king says in his answer to the Commons, " there has always
been a larger measure used in Lancashire than in any other part of the kino'dom.""
The earliest enactments in the statutes of the realm for regulating the° salmon fisheries of this
kingdom are those of the statute of Westminster 2, of which the confirmations relate to the
Lancashire rivers, the Lune, the Wyre, the Mersey, and the Ribble; and by a statute, 13
i Ha"rMSs''co'd'' M6'fo''98'b"^'~°' ""^ ""=''«''?e'l twenty-fold. It is more probable thiit it moans 10,000 ordi-
= 10,000 marks in the ordinary money of aceount, equals £6,6C6 : 13 : 4. °'"'^*XT'jISb^ c" fs'^orf^' 60
But the "mark of gold " (the expression used in the MS. ) was equal to = Claus 1? fiich 11 m 42
20 marks of silver ; so that if the term be taken literally, that sum must « Rot F' rl vo iii "sro
CHAP. X. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 1,59
Richard II. c. 19 (1389-90), it is enacted, "That no young sahnon be taken or destroyed bv nets,
at mill dams or other places, from the middle of April till the Nativity of St. John Baptist ]" and
" it IS ordamed and assented that the waters of Lon, Wyre, Mersee, Ribbyl, and all other waters
in the county of Lancaster, be put in defence, as to the taking of salmons, from Michaelmas Day to
the Purification of our Lady (Feb. 2), and in no other time of the year, because that salmons be
not seasonable in the said waters in the time aforesaid ; and in the parts were such rivers be, there
shall be assigned and sworn good and sufficient conservators of this statute." This Act was
amended by 17 Richard II. c. 9 (1393-4), which enacts " that the justices of the peace shall be
conservators of the recited statute, with under-conservators appointed by them, and that the said
justices shall inquire into _ the due execution of the law at their sessions ; " and further amended
by 1 Eliz. c. 17 (1559), which, amongst other things, provides that the meshes of the nets used in
taking salmon shall be two inches and a half broad, and that the fish shall not be taken by any
other means.^
" In 1393, John, Duke of Lancaster, son of the King of Eugland, Duke of Guienne, Earl of Derby, Lincoln, and Leicester, and
steward of England," as he is styled in the parliamentary records, and Thomas, Duke of Gloucester, constable of England,
"complained to the king that Sir Thomas Talbot, knight, with others his adherents, conspired the deaths of tlie said dukes in divers
parts of Cheshire, as the same was confessed and well known, and the dukes prayed that Parliament might judge of the fault.
Whereupon the king and the lords in Parliament adjudged the said Thomas Talbot guilty of high treason, and awarded two writs —
the one to the sheriffs of York and the other to the sheriffs of Derby, to take the body of the said Sir Thomas, returnable in
the King's Bench in the month of Easter then ensuing ; and open proclamation was made in Westmiaster Hall that upon the
sheriffs' return at the next coming in of the said Sir Thomas he should be convicted of treason, and incur the loss and penalty of
the same." ^
Notwithstanding all these court intrigues the honours and privileges of the Duke of Lancaster
continued to accumulate ; and by an act of ro3^al favour he was allowed to hold Aquitaine in liege
homage of the king ; and all prelates, earls, viscounts, and others were commanded to pay homage
to the duke, The viceroyalty of Picardy was soon after conferred upon him, at which time the
privilege was conceded to him of importing sixty casks of wine, duty free, for the use of his
household.^
The scandal raised at court by the marriage of John of Gaunt, the king's uncle, to his mistress
Catherine Swinford,'' was somewhat abated by the king's patent, which legitimised her four
children by the duke. These children were surnamed Beaufort, from the place of their birth, the
patent of legitimation bearing date on the 10th of February, 1397."
In the following year (1398) the quarrel between the Duke of Lancaster's eldest son, Henry of
Bolingbroke, Duke of Hereford, and Thomas Mowbray, first Duke of Norfolk which terminated in
the banishment of both these knights, took place." The death of the illustrious and venerable
Duke of Lancaster was precipitated by this event ; ' and the deposition of Richard II., " unking'd
by Bolingbroke," speedily followed.* On the death of his father, the Duke of Hereford returned to
England, ostensibly to claim his paternal inheritance of the duchy of Lancaster, but really, through
the public power, and his own daring, to assume the still higher possession of the throne. Amongst
the most powerful of the adherents of the Duke of Lancaster Avere Henry de Percy, Earl of
Northumberland, and his son Henry Hotspur, to whose services he was essentially indebted for his
elevation ; and one of the first acts of the new king's reign was to present the earl with a grant of
the Isle of Man, to hold by the feudal service of bearing the curtana, called the "Lancaster
Sword," on the day of the coronation," at the left shoulder of the king and his heirs, which sword
had been borne by John of Gaunt at the coronation of Richard II. This grant is represented, in
the document by which it is made, as the inadequate reward of the earl's magnificent and faithful
services to the State. The island, castle, peel, and lordship of Man, the possession of William le
Scrope, Earl of Wiltshire, had been seized by the king, on the execution of the earl for misgoverning
the kingdom in the time of Richard II. ; and the whole of these possessions, together with the
regalia, royal jurisdictions, franchises, liberties, and the patronage of the bishopric, as Avell as the
goods and chattels of the unfortunate earl, Avere conferred upon the Earl of Northumberland m
perpetuity. The restless spirit of Northumberland, who thought himself inadequately rewarded
by the Isle of Man, Avhile he had secured for his sovereign the kingdom of England, urged him on
to acts of rebellion against King Henry, as he had before rebelled against his predecessor. Less
fortunate in his second than in his first revolt, the reAvard of his perfidy to Richard overtook him,
and he lost, in the sequel, his son young Hotspur, his possessions, and his life. By the attainder oi
the Earl of Northumberland, the Isle of Man, after six years, again fell into the possession of the
' The subsequent statutes for the regulation of these fisheries aro • Sec chap. Iv. p. 60.
4 and 5 of Anne, c. 21 (1706) ; 1 George I. stat. 11. c. 18 (1714) ; 23 George II. = Rot. Pari. vol. lu. p. 343.
c. 26 (1749-50); 43 George III. c. 61 (1802-3). « See chap. v. p. (J4.
^ See chap v. * "■ ""*
■■" The duty on wine at this time was 3s, per ca.sk, with an ad valorem ' P. 66.
duty of 5 per cent upon its introduction into tho port of London. " Pat. 1 Hen. IV. p. 6 m. 35
160 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. x.
Crown, and was seized for the king's use by Sir William and Sir John Stanley ;' on which the king,
by letters patent (dated 4th Oct., 1405), of his especial grace and favour, granted to Sir John
Stanley the island, castle, peel, and lordship of the Isle of Man, and all the islands and lordships
thereto belonging, together with regalia, regalities, franchises, and liberties, and all other profits
and commodities annexed thereto, to have and to hold for the term of his life.-
On the 6th of April, 1406, the king so far extended his bounty as to grant the Isle of Man to
Sir John Stanley in perpetuity, in as full and ample a manner as it had been held by any former
lord of the crown of England, per Iwrnagiwrn legiwm, but altering the tenure, which was now,
instead of bearing the Lancaster sword at the coronation, to pay to the king a cast of falcons at the
coronation, after homage made in lieu of all demands and customs. By this grant the Stanleys
obtained an absolute jurisdiction over the soil, and became, with the exception of a few baronies,
immediate landlord of every estate in the island, a semi-regal position which, save a brief
interregnum during the Commonwealth period, they retained until the death, without male issue,
of James Stanley, in 1736, when the lordship passed to the House of Athole, James Murray, the
second duke, being descended from a daughter of James, the seventh Earl of Derby.
The annals of the duchy, during the whole period of the life of John of Gaunt, will at all times
rank amongst the most interesting records in the early history of the county palatine of Lancaster ;
but though they are all before us, they are much too voluminous to be inserted in detail, and can
only be given in summary, with such references as may enable those who wish to consult particular
documents to find them with facility. These annals being resumed from the period of the death
of the first Duke of Lancaster, and brought down to the demise of the last subject duke, comprehend
the whole period of the history of the duchy, from its creation to the time when it merged in the
Crown, not indeed by absolute union, for the duchy of Lancaster has always been considered a
separate inheritance, but by actual possession— the Kings of England and the Dukes of Lancaster
having been the same persons ever since the time when Henry of Bolingbroke ascended the throne,
to the present day.
EXTRACT FEOM CLOSE ROLL, A.6.
John, Ddkb of Lancaster— viz. 1377 (51 Edw. III.) to 1389 (12 Rich. II.)
(From the Duchy Secords in the Record Office).
PERSONS. MATTERS.
The two introductory instrumenta are aa follow : —
51 Edw. III.
John the Duke to Thomas de Thelwall s Appointment of Chancellor of the Duchy and County Palatine,
Ai 4.1, T^ 1 i. ., o, -^ . ,, „ and delivery of the Great Seal of the Royalty.
Also, the Duke to the Sheriff of the County Proclamation of Pleadings of Assize, &c.
N^hn!^! 1 I 1 T ) I ^"t!^^ ^"''^ ^'°" *°'" ^^'"' °f -^^^'^^ de Nov. Dis. 20s. paid to the Hanaper.
Nicholas de Syngleton to the Duke Fine of 10s. for a Writ de Conventione. ^
T^^llLr\?f^ "^ ^°^"^' '°" "^ ^''' •^°'"' "^^ M.^nA^i^ to Roger de Brokholes. the Duke's Escheator, for
•! TV,rS!°,'-n ,S'--^ V,; ■•■■ delivery of Lands formerly held in Capite.
3. The King and Duke for Henry de Ferrarijs Mandate to the Escheator to deliver Lands formerly held in
Capite.
4. The King and Duke for Walter Pedwardyne and others Like Mandate for Advowsons of Churches, &c. Conyngshead
r m TT- J T^ , r -.TT-,,. , Priory and Wharton Church.
6. The King and D^ke for the Duke : Adani de Hoght^n,' ^ ^^°'""' ^" ^^^^'°S-
7. T^fm:L%TZ''t^eV:L Warrant to cut Timber for Repairs of Lancaster Castle.
ine iving ana uuke tor the Duke Precept to the Mayor and BailiBFs of Lancaster and other PerBons,
to proclaim prohibition against Persons congregating with an
8. Various Fines paid for Writs, " P"'^"" '" '""P"'^^ ^^^ ^^^'"""^ "^ Lancaster.
9. The King and Duke for the Duke Writ to the Escheator to seize the Lands of Nicholas de Prest-
WVcll6
'"■ '"^Ha'^Sngton '"^''^ '"' '°^° '"'''''"' '"'^ '"''"^"'^^ ""' ^7"^^ V""' ^"^"^ '''' P^^'^S ^'^^ ^26 8s. as Knights elect
■* '' for the Commonalty of the Duchy, for Expenses in coming to
the King s Parliament.
' Writs dated Pountfreyt Castlo, SdJuly, Hen IV A,-.riH„ «,» «,.„* .,■
" Claus. 8 Henry IV. m. 42. ^' nfTl^^n li ™' ^?^'' "i I™,!'"^*"'^ (^^r?), by writ directed to the sheriff
•■' This appointment is dated at Westminster, 10th April 51 Edw III WillS^ Hn N^ "'ff}'?'^ WiUiam de Skipwyth, Roger de Fulthorp, and
(1377 , and states that John, King of Castile and Leon a3 Duke oTVan' orrteroH ?w tl "'"^i" ''t'"' ^l,"^*,'? ^"^ ^" P'^''^. "'<=-. i» «><= ^""'y'
caster, in the presence of Robert d% Wylington and ThomTde Hunrarford th^ Mnnd?, » " 'f^ ^" ■"°*'5 '"""'^ '^"""i ^^""^ ^'^^^'on^ ^^ Lancaster on
knights, and others of the kmg's housdiold, hi tZ cCol wS th^ mari^ in f?,Tl ""«'■•, ^''^^'.'S'O" .day, and that due proclamation should be
palace, appointed Thomas de Thelwall, clerk his chanoXr within th« if.n«t ff a] "f"'' /?°'i '" ™r'o"= market-places of the suits or pleas to l)e
duehy and county of Lancaster, who took Us oath toThe sameTtaL -md of th« Hf«nJi°',°''? *''" 'T' ^"''i"f ' *^'''°S *''^° "■^•^ ««« twenty-four
his great .seal for the administration of the regalities of the county mlkt^e h ,nd?-.^ i *i'' '''™T""'"iy' ^^ ''^est men, from every wapentjike or
of the same, with his own hand to the said ThomM doliTOred etc '^ After Tn^^ ?„viff f ^\ ^^^id county, for the further fulfilling of the mandate,
wards, the chancellor having received the seal, tto said king onthe 20th ''°'''™ ""= "'*'°°' °^ ""^ twenty-four men and this writ.
CHAP. X. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
161
PERSONS. ,,,mmc„„
11. The King a^d Duke for King Richard Precept for Proclamation that all Foreign Mendicant FriarB
within the Duchy quit the Realm, according to the King's
12. The King and Duke for the Prior and Convent of St. Mary's, Precept to'tbe Escheator not to interfere in the Manors and
ijeicester Possessions of the Abbey of St. Mary de Pratis, during the
avoidance of the Abbot's death.
Here ends the first Year of the Royalty (1377), on the first side of the Roll, i
13. John, King of Castile, &c., for the Abbot of Furnes Precept to the SheriCf, commanding the Executors of John Raton
to pay £55 to the Abbot.
14. Fines paid to the Duke for various AVrits, and attested by the Custos RegaHtatis, William Wetherley, Vicar of Blakeburn Church-
15. The King and Duke for the Abbot of Evesham Mandate to the Barons of the Exchequer concerning the Fishery
of Hoghwyk in the River Ribble, claimed by the Abbot, and
,„ _, i ii T^- , T> , seized by the Deputy-Steward of the Manor of Penwortham.
16. The same for the Kmg and Duke Mandate to the Sheriff to Levy Aid, according to the Statute, to
« iu -r. 1 make his eldest Son a Knight.
17. The same for the Duke and other Magnates of his Retiuue Letters to the Abbots of Furneys, Whalley, Cockersand, and
going abroad m the Kmg 3 service other Abbots, Priors, Archdeacons, and Proctors, to offer
prayers and sacrifices to God for the success of the expedition.
18. The same for the Duke Mandate to the Duke's Escheator to seize the Lands, &c., of
Otho de Halsale.
19. The same for Richard de Townelay, Sheriff Mandate to the Barons of the Exchequer to pay his Account of
Charges for Parchment, &c.
20. The same for John Boteler and Ralph de Tpre Precept to the Sheriff to pay the Knighfe) elected for the Com-
monalty of the Duchy £16 for their Expenses in coming to
Parliament at Gloucester.
This ends the second Year of the Royalty (1378).
21. 2 Rich. n. (1378-9).
The King and Duke for Alan Wilkeson and Wife Mandate to the Barons of the Exchequer to inquire of a Messuage
and Lands seized into the Duke's bands, for the Felony of
John de Ley land at Kirkeby, in Derbyshire.
22. 'Various Fines paid to the Duke for Writs.
23. The King and Duke for the Duke Mandate to the Justices to adjourn Sessions.
24. The same for the Abbot of Whalley Mandate to the Baroas to inquire of Tithes seized by the
Escheatiir, as belonging to William Talbot, an Outlaw, touch-
ing the Tithes of the Church of All Saints of Whalley, at
Alvetham.
25. The same for the King Precept to the Sheriff to proclaim within the Duchy the
Ordinance made as to the Goldsmiths' mark.
26. The same for Nicholas de Haryngton and Robert de Urswyk Precept to the Sheriff to pay the Knights of the Commonalty
their Expenses to Parliament at Westminster.
27. The same for the Duke Precept to the Sheriff to elect a Coroner in the room of Thomas
de Fasakereley.
28. The same for the Duke Precept to eject Verderors for Derbyshire, Amouuderness, and
Lonsdale.
29. The Bang and Duke for John de Eccleston Precept to the Sheriff to give Seisin (i.e. possession) of a Messuage
and Lands taken by the Duke for the Felony of Robert de
RaynhuU.
30. The same for the Abbot of Evesham Monastery Mandate to the Escheator to deliver Temporalities to Roger de
Yatton, Abbot-elect.
31. The same for the same Mandate to the Barons of the Exchequer to surcease demands
upon the Abbot, and to answer for the Issues according to the
Award of the Great Council.
32. The same for the Duke Mandate to the Escheator to seize the Lands, &o., of Sir Thomas
Bannastre, Knight.
The end of the 3d Year of the Royalty (1379).
33. 3 Rich. II. (1379-80). The King and Duke for the Duke ... Precept to the Sheriff for election of a Coroner.
34. The same for John de Boteler and Thomas de Southworth Precept to the Sheriff to pay them as knights for the
Commonalty, £24, for Expenses in coming to Parliament at
Westminster.
Anno Quarto Segalitatis, John, Duke of Lancaster (1380).
3 Rie. IL (1379-80).
35. Fines pa d to the Lord for Writs. . . . , ^, -r 3 c ttt-h
36. The King and Duke for John de Haydock Precept to the Escheator to give seisin of the Lands of Willm.
Botiller in Laton Magna, Laton Parva, Bispham, Warthebrek,
and Great Merton ; and Rents in Atherton, Weetlegh,
Pynnyngton, Bolde, Lydegate, Thornton, Culcheth, Egergarth,
Tildeslegh, Glassebroke, Bedford, Halsall, Ives, and Wyndhull ;
Great Sonkey Manor, and Werington Manor.
37. The same for John Botiller Precept to give seisin of Lands and Mill in Burtonwood, and the
Manor of Weryngton, with Advowson of the Church.
' The first year of the royalty or regality of John of Gaunt was the ITth year of hia dukedom,— H.
22
162 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. x.
38. The same for the Duke Precept to seize the Lands of William Botiller.
The like of John Byron.
The like of Eichard Radclif.
39. The same for Gilbert de Gtorf ordsyohe Writ of Re-disseisin as to the Turbary in Scaresbrek.
40. The like for the Tenants of Worston Township Mandate to the Baron s of the Exchequer, relating to the Tenants
of.Worston, and Pasturage of Common and the Inolosure by
William Nowel.
41. The same for John Botiller and Thomas de Southworth Precept to the Sheriffs to pay Knights for the Commonalty of
the Duchy, £19 12a., their Expenses in coming to Parliamt.
at Northampton.
42. The King and Duke for the Duke Mandate to the Escheator to seize the Lands and Tenements of
Peter Gerard.
The like of Ellen de Birewayth.
The like of Wm. de Bradshagh of Hagh.
The like of Riohd. de Caterall.
The like of Gilbert de Kyghley.
The like of Isabella de Eton.
43. The same for John Eadeoliffe Mandate to give Seisin of the Manor of TJrdesale [Ordsall], 3 parts
of Moiety, of the Town of Flixton, Tenements in Le Hope,
Shoresworth, Le Holynhed, in Tokholes, Salford, the Bailiwick
of Rochdale, and i of moiety of the Town of Flixton.
44. The same for Isabella Bradeshagh Mandate to assign Dower of Lands seized into the Duke's Hands
by reason of the minority of Thomas Bradeshagh.
Writs of Diem Clausit Extremum.
45. The King and Duke for the Duke Mandate to the Escheator to take the Lands of John de Skerton.
And the like Mandate for several otherp upon deaths.
46. The same for Sir Roger Pilkington, Knight Writ of Post Disseisin to the Sheriff for a Tenement in Rediche.
47. The King and Duke for the Abbot of Cokersand Mandate to the Barons of the Exchequer to inquire of Rent of
Hands in Mellyng, held by Hy. Chaderton, as seized for Debt.
48. Fines paid for various Writs to the Duke, as acknowledged by William Horneby, Clerk of the Hanaper.
49. The King and Duke for the King Precept to the Sheriflf to take William Greenhil, an Outlaw, in the
King's Court within the Duchy, according to the King's
Mandate therein recited.
50. The same for same Precept to the Mayor and Bailiffs of Liverpool to proclaim the
K ing's Mandate prohibiting Exportation of Corn.
Anno Sexto Regalitatis (1382).
51. The King and Duke for John de Warren Mandate to the Escheator to give Seisin of Wood Plumpton
Manor, as in Fee, by Sir John Davenport, Knt. to Robert de
Eton.
52. The same for William de Atherton and Robert de Urcewyk. Precept to the Sheriff to pay the Knights of the Commonalty of
,„ _, -^. -, T^ , . , ,,. ^^^ Duchy for their expenses to Parliament at Westminster.
53. The King and Duke for the Kmg Precept to the Mayor and Bailiffs of Liverpool to proclaim the
K.( rr, Tj- J T^ 1 t i,. TT- z. o i, , Klug's Mandate touching the Exportation of Corn.
64. The Kmg and Duke for the King of Scotland Precept to the Sheriff to distrain Persons in Liverpool possessing
several Casks of Wine taken in the Port of Inchgalle by some
Persons in the County of Chester, contrary to the Truce with
,, rm, c .V. -n- i: T. , 1 Scotland, and to pay 10 Marks (£6 133. 4d.) for each Cask.
65. The same for the Kmg of England Precept to the Sheriff to publish the King's Proclamation within
the Duchy relative to Charters of Pardon by the King's Sub-
jects (except certain Persons named, and the Men of the City
of Canterbury, of the Towns of Cambridge, Bridgwater, St,
,. _,, , „• -r, ,,.,., ^ Edmund's, Beverley, and Scarboro')
56. The same for Sir Roger de Pilkmgton, Knt. and Robert de Precept to pay the Knights elected for the Duchy Commonalty
» 4. XI, V J 1^ , ^ ,,T -x ^^^ ^'"' ^^™ Expenses to Parliament at Westminster.
57. Fines to the Kmg and Duke for Writs. ^i-u^^i.
58. The King and Duke for the King of England Precept to Liverpool as to Exportation of Corn.
Writs of Diem Clausit Extremum.
59. The King and Duke for the Duke Mandate to the Escheator to take the Lands of Edward Lawrence
en TV, IT- J n 1 t i,. T^- r T, , , ^"'^ ^^^ Ij&ni of Thomas Lathum.
60. The Kmg and Duke for the King of England Precept to Liverpool as before.
61. The same for the Poor Fishermen in the Duchy Precept to the Sheriff to publish the King's Prohibition against
preventing the Fishermen from setting their nets in the Sea,
fi9 Ti,^ o„„o f„ Tir ri 1 TUT- ^"^^ catching Fish for their Livelihood.
62. The same for Matilda Waryng Writ _of Re-disseisin to the Sheriff of a Messuage and Lands in
63. The same for Thomas de Knoll Ma^daTfo the Barons of the Exchequer to inquire of Lands in
Chippendale, seized into the Duke's hands on the Felony of
John de Knoll, as purchased after the King's Charter of
64. The King of England for the King Wrirad°d;essed to the King of Castile and Duke of Lancaster,
to cause to be elected and to come to Parliament 2 Knights
for the Commonalty of the Duchy, and of every City 2 Citizens,
and of every Boro' 2 Burgesses.
Witness the King at Westminster, 7th January, 6 Ric. II,
(1383).
™^P- ^- THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
163
PERSONS.
MATTERS.
65. The King and Duke for the King Precept to the Sheriff to make Proclamation of the Statutes and
Ordmauoea made in the Parliamt. of the 6ih Year of King
Richard (1383), as recited in the King's Mandate addressed to
the Duke of Lancaster, or his Lieutenant.
66. The King and Duke for Margery Bannastre W^::^^^;llTS^f:^^ IL^^^'Ln in le
'^" ^''onZ Dlt'c^oSi"' °' '''" ^'"'^ """^"^ ^'"='''' ™'='^^'^ ^""A^P* *° *^^ ^'^^"ff *° •"^'^^ Proclamation that aU the Duke's
on tne Uucny coast Officers, Ministers, and Tenants of the Duchy, abstain from
takmg the Goods of the said Ship, the Crew having escaped
alive.
Anno Septimo Segalitatis (1383).
68. The King and Duke for the Duke Writ of Diem Clausit Extremum' upon the death of John de
fio Ti, c Kirkby, Chivaler.
7n'ThP»r!f"'""' The like, upon death of David delrland.
IV. ine same tor same Precept to the Sheriff to elect a Verderor for Amoundernesa,
-, m, y, instead of Adam Bradkirk.
79 -Thprt The like for Derbyshire, vice Richard de Aynscough.
7^' Th!=7^='f;.'7i,"'Ai:i,":"*n'", j °°' *» elect a coroner for the county, vice Adam de Skylicorne.
/ 3. The same for the Abbot of Cockersand Do. to give Seiain of Lands in BiUynge, seized by King Edward
-I TT- i 4.1, T^- J T^ , , ,„ . for the Felony of William de Falyngge.
/I. Fines to the Kmg and Duke for Writs. ®^
75. The Kmg^and Duke for Richard de Bareweford and Agnes, Writ of Re-diaaeisiu concerning Lands at Chorlegh.
76. Fines to the King and Duke for Wrila.
77. The King and Duke for the Duke Writ of Diem Clausit, Ac, directed to Robert de Ursewyk on
^. -, J T^ , , *'^® death of Hugh de Bradshagh.
/ 8. ihe Kmg and Duke for John Pilkington and Wife Writ de Dote Aasiguanda directed to the Escheator, for Margaret
de Bradshagh.
79. The same for same Writ of Diem Clausit Extremum upon the death of Hugh de
Dacre. Do- on the death of Thomas de Rigmayden. Do. of
„„ „. ., , ,, .r. , - Thomas de Lathum. Do. of Richard de Balderston.
80. Fines paid to the Duke for Writs.
Anno Octavo RegalUatis (1384).
81. The King and Duke for the Duke Precept to the Sheriff for Proclamation, that all the Men of the
Duke's retinue meet him at Newcastle-upon-Tyne, to march
into Scotland.
82. The same for Adam de Prestall of Salf ordshire Precept to the Sheriff not to put the said Adam on Juries, &<:.,
he being deaf.
83. The same for Johanna Rigmayden Writ de Dote Assignanda, addressed to the Escheator.
84. The King and Duke for the Duke Writ of Diem Clausit Extremum, on the death of Matthew de
Twisilton.
of John Kekwyk, of Derby.
of William Barton.
85. Pines paid to the King and Duke for Writs.
86. The King and Duke for the Duke Mandamus to the Escheator, upon the death of Thomas de
Rigmayden.
of Thomas Banaster.
of Edward Banastre.
87. The same for John Daunport (Davenport) Mandate of William de Homeby, Receiver of the County of
Lancaster, to pay the secondary Justice iu the Duchy 20
Marks, for his Fee of 20s. for his Clerk for two last Sessions.
88. Fines paid to the King and Duke for Writs.
89. The King and Duke for the King of England Precept to the Sheriff to get ready the Men-at-Arms and Bowmen
within the Duchy, to march agst the Scotch, according to the
King's Mandate.
90. The same for the Abbot of Cookersand Precept to give Seisin of Lands in Billynge, as seized into King
Edward's Hands for the Felony of William de Falyng.
91. The King and Duke for Isabella Lathum Writ de Dote Assignanda out of Lathum Manor.
92. Fines paid to the King and Duke for Writs.
93. The King and Duke for Roger de Fazackrelegh and Wife... Writ de Procedendo in an Assize of Novel Disseisin before the
Justices, as to Tenements in Knowslegh, Childwall, Roby, and
Anlasargh.
94. The same for Johanna Kekewyk Writ de Dote Assignanda.
95. The same for the Duke Mandamus to the Escheator, upon the death of Thomas de
Lathum.
' The "Inquisition" or "Inquest of Office," commonly called an the profits accruing, until proof of legal age, and if there was no heir the
Inquieiiio post mortem, was an inquiry held on oath before a jury sum- lands bee ime the king's by escheat, from which circumstance these docu-
moned by virtue of a writ directed to the escheator, coroner, or other ments are sometimes, though incorrectly, called cskcats. _ The finding of
officer of the king, to inquire on the death of any tenant holding lands the jury with the writ of enquiry was returned to the king's chancery,
in capite, or in chief, whether by knight's service or in soccage, (1) of whence a transcript was sent to the exchequer in order that the proper
what lands he died seized, (2) by what rents or services the same were officers might levy the services and duties duo. The heir, on attaining
held, and (3) who was the next heir and of what age. They were further the ago of 21 if a male, or 16 if a female, might sue oat their livery or
to enquire whether the tenant was attainted of treason, or an alien. In omter le ^nain (i.e., take oft the hand) and obtain dehvory of their lands
either of which cases the lands reverted to the crown ; if the heir was a out of their guardian's hands. — C.
minor, the king had the wardship or custody of the body and lands, with
164 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. x.
Hie incipit Annus Nanus Regalitatis (1385).
96. The King and Duke for the King and Duke Writ of Diem Clausit, &c, on the death of Henry de Dyneley.
Geoffrey Workesley.
Adam de Hoghton.
97. The same for the Duke Precept to elect a Coroner for the County of Lancaster, vice
98. Fines paid to the Lord for Writa Joiin Skilicorn, deceased.
99. The King and Duke for John de Pilkyngton, Parson of Writ of Re-Disseisin as to the Manors of Le Lee, Grymsargh,
the Church of Bury Hogliton, Quylton, Raveuemeles, and Wbytyngham, and
Messuages and Lands in Lee, Goosnargh, Assheton, Gryme-
sargh, Quytyngham, Frekilton, Caterall, Hoghton, QuiltoD,
Withenhall, Hephay, Lynesey, Plesyngton, Wrightyngton,
Ravenmeles, Goldburn, Preston, Sourby, Whittill in the
Wodes, Walshwhittill, Eocleston, Chernock Richard, and
Ribchester ; and Moieties of Chernok Richard Manor and
Whittill in the Wodes ; two parts of Asheton and Gosenargh
Manors, and the 4th part of Caterall and Wrightynton Manors.
100. The King and Duke for the King Mandate to the Justices to adjourn Sessions.
101. The same for the Duke Mandate to the Escheator to seize into the Hands of the King
and Duke tlie Lands of Thomas Banastre in Ethelswyk,
Freculton, Claughtou in Amounda- Billesburgb, Halghton,
Syngleton Parva, Thornton le Holmes, Sowerby, Hamylton,
Stalmyn, Crofton, Farryngton, Thorpe, and Brethirton.
Like Mandate for the Lands of Edmond Banastre in Dilworth,
Broghton, Preston in Amounderness, Wodeplumpton, with
the More Hall and Gosenargh.
102. Fines paid to the Lord for Writs.
103. The King and Duke for Isabella Lathum Precept to the Sheriff to give Seisin of Tenements in Latham
Manor, vizt- Horskarre, Demedowe near Rughford, Robynfeld
de Horskarre, Calverhay, Watton, Ryding, and 8 Marks
(£5 6s. 8d.) Rent of Freeholds in Newburgh.
104. Fines paid to the Lord for Writs.
105. John de Radclif to the Duke Recognisance for Rent of Lands in Oldham, Chatherton, and
Wytton, near Plesyngton.
106. The King and Duke for Margaret de Ines Writ of Assignment of Dower to Margaret Bradeshagh, of a Water
Mill in Westlegh, in the Duke's Hands by Minority of the Heir.
107. The same for Jas. BotiUer, Earl of Ormond Precept to the Escheator for Seisin of Rent of the Manor of
Wetherton, notwithstanding no Process as to proof of Age,
nor his being called on the Inquisition taken.
108. The same for Roger Fazackerlegh Mandate to the Justices of the Bench to proceed on Novel
Disseisin as to Tenements of Sir Thomas Lathum, Kn*- in
Knowslegh, Childwall, Roby, and Anhlesargh, and on no
Accot to give Judgm* withot the Duke's advice.
Anno Decimo Regalitaiis (1386).
109. Fines paid to the King and Duke.
110. The King and Duke for Margaret de RadoHf Precept to the Receiver of the Duchy to pay a yearly Rent for
Lands in Oldom, Chatherton, and Witton, near Plesington.
111. The same for Robert de Barton Writ of Re-disseisin for Messuages and Lands in Lathum.
112. Fines paid to the King and Duke.
113. The King and Duke for the Duke Precept to the Sheriff to Levy £20 of the Lands of John de
Radclif in Oldom, Chatherton, and Wytton, for Arrears.
Witnessed by Henry, Earl of Derby, Gustos of the Duoliy.
Anno Undecimo Regalitatis (1387).
114. Fines paid to the King and Duke for Writs.
115. The King and Duke for William Ward Writ to Walter de Urswyk, Keeper of Lancaster Forest, to
accept Bail for the said William, detained iu Lancaster Castle,
for a Trespass on the Forest.
116. The King and Duke for the Duke Writ of Diem Clausit Extremum upon the deaths of Jno.de
Wareyn, Thomas Strangways, Thomas Sotheworth, Richard
Torbock, Thomas Holand, William Tunstall, Petronilla
Banastre, Thomas Molyneux, and William Aghton.
117. The same for same Precept to the Sheriff to elect a Coroner, vice Edward Frere.
Do. vice Hugh de Ines, they being both incompetent to their
Offices.
118. The same for same Precept to the Sheriff to elect a Verduror for Quemmore and
Wyresdale, vice John Croft, made Steward of Lonsdale.
The like, vice Robt. Cauncefeld, he being in Spain with the
Duke.
119. Fines paid to the King and Duke for Writs.
120. Ralph de Radclif, Sheriff of Lancaster, for the King and Recognisance of Debt for the Sheriff to pay £80 for his office for
Duke one Year.
121. The same for same Like Recognisance for a faithful Account of his profits.
122. The King and Duke, for John de Ines Precept to the Escheator to supersede the demand of £34 Hs. 4d.
of Lands, &c., in Wythyngton and Harewode, and other
Moneys, till the next Sessions.
CHAP. X.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
165
PERSONS.
Anno Duodecimo Regaliiatis (1388).
123. Fines paid to the King and Duke for Writs.
124. The King and Duke for the Duke Mandate to the Justices to adjourn i
125. The same for same Writs of Diem Clausit Extremum upon the deaths of Jno.de
Haydok, of Alice de Legh, and John de Nevill.
126. The same for Milicent de Aghtou Writ to the Escheator for Assignment of Dower.
127. Fines paid to the King and Duke for Writs.
128. The King and Duke for Ralph de Nevill Precept to the Escheator for Livery of seisin of the Advowsou
of Prescote Church, and for Payment of Relief and for Respite
of Homage till the Duke's return to England.
DUCHY OF LANCASTER.
CONTINUATION OF ABSTRACT OF THE CLOSE ROLL A. 6, 1st to 12th YEAR OF THE ROYALTY
OF JOHN OF GAUNT, DUKE OF LANCASTER.
{The Interior Part of the Roll having been already Abstracted, the following are from the same Roll in Tergo.)
First Year (1377).
Grantors and others.
No. 1. j Edmund, sou of Alau de
dors, j Folifayt
No. 2.
dors.
No. 3.
dors.
No. i.
dors.
No. 5.
dors.
No. 6.
dors.
No. 7.
dors.
No. 8.
dors.
No. 9.
dors.
\ John de Assheton-under-
J Lime
Thomas Lathum
Grantees and others.
Edmund Lorence, son of John Law-
rence, of Asshdon
John de Kirkeby..
Robert de Breton, Vicar of the Church
of Huyton, and Thomas de Ryding,
Chaplain
Annus Secundus (1378). In Tergo.
For William de Horneby, Parson of
the Church of St. Michael-upon-
Wy re
For Edmund Lorence
\ Robert de Washington and
J others
Thomas de Lamplogh and
others
Adam of Lancaster
William de Heton
Richard de Massy, Knt..
For Thomas Mirreson of Lancaster . . .
Ralph de Ipre and Peter de Bolrun...
For John de la Pole, Justice of
Chester
Annus Tertius (1379). In Tergo.
^ , , „, ^ Hugh de Dacre, Knt., Lord of Gilles-
John dePlesyngton j^^^^^j
Annus Quartus (1380). In Tergo.
No. 10. 1 Various Recognisances of
dors. / Debt.
Annus Quintus (1381). In Tergo.
No. 11.
dors.
j-JohnEotiller, Knt..
No. 12. l Henry de Bispham and
dors. J Richard de Carleton
Henry de Bispham and Richard de
Carleton, Chaplains
John Botiller, Knt., and Alice his wife
Matters and Premises.
Enrolment of the Deed of Release and Quit
Claim of all Right to the Manor of Folifayt,
near Tadcaster, 50 Ed. III. (1376).
The like of Lands which Elizabeth Folifayt,
widow, held in dower, 51 Ed. III. (1377).
Other Deeds relative to the Manor.
Recognisance of the Receipt of £iO in part
payment of a Debt of 140 Marks (£93 6s. 8d.,
1 Rich. II. (1377-8). Other Deeds relating
thereto.
Enrolment of Deed by Release and Quit Claim
at Crossehalle, in Lathum, and all other
Lands granted in Lancashire, 49 Ed. III.
(1375).
Recognisance of Debt of £8.
Ao 2do Regalitatis.
Recognisance of Debt, £40.
Recognisance of Debt, £10.
Enrolment of Grant of Lands in Heton, Broune,
Molebek, Urwike, and Lancaster, 51 Ed. III.
(1377).
Recognisance of Debt of £5.— Witness, Henry,
Earl of Derby (son of the Duke of Lancaster,
afterwards Henry IV.), Gustos of the Royalty.
And various other Recognisances of Debts.
Enrolment of Grant of the Manors of Halton
in Lonesdale, and Eccleston in Leylandshire,
in Com. Lane, with all their Members and
Appurtenances, 2 Rich. II. (1378-9).
Release and Quit Claim by Feofifees.
Enrolment of the Grant of the Manors of Great
Laton, Little Laton, Bispham, and Warde-
brek, Lands in Great Mertou, and the whole
Lordship of Merton Town, 4 Rich. II, (1381).
Enrolment of Grant of the above Manors, Lands,
and Lordship, in Fee Tail special, 4 Rich. II.
(1380-1).
166
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. X.
Grantors and others.
Grantees and others.
No. 13.
dors.
No. 14.
dors.
Annus Sextus (1382). In Tergo.
> Recognisances of Debts
No. 15.
dors.
No. 16,
dors.
y Robert de Wasshyngton
- Roger de Fasacreley ,
No. 17,
dors.
"1 Adam de Hoghton, Chivi'.
[-Nicholas de Haryngton,
J Chivr.
And Richard, son o£ Adam
Houghton
Annus Octavus (1384). In Tergo.
y Richard de Hoghton
For William de Hornby, Parson of St.
Michael-upon-Wyre, and William le
Ducton
Edward de Lathum, Henry de Scares-
breck, and others
For the King and Duke
dors. I '^^^ ^'°S ^^^ ^'^^^
Thfi like,
dors.
^®- 1 The King and Duke,
dors fThe King and Duke .
J ' ■ > The King and Duke ,
No. 21.
dors.
The King and Duke
For WiUiam de Horneby, Parson of
St. Michael-upon-Wire
Matters and Premises.
li'or John Nowell.,
WiUiam de Rigmayden
For Hugh, son of John de Partyngton,
of Irwelham
For Adam da Hoghton and others ...
For Thomas Smith, Nayller, of Cholle
Enrolment of Grant of Lands, &c., in Carleton
in Amounderness, for a Rose Rent per Ann. 8
Years, and increased Rent £20 per Ann., 5
Rich. II. (1381-2).
Memorandum of Agreement as to Dower of
Tenements in Wrightinton.
Recognisance of Debt of 200 Marks, upon a
seizure into the Duke's hands, on the death
of James Botiller, Earl of Ormond.
Enrolment of Grant of the Wardship of Lands of
Henry de Kighley, Knt., in Lancashire and
Yorkshire, and the Marriage of his Son, 7 Rich
IL (1383-4).
Precept to the Sheriff to supersede taking the
Body of John Nowell, to answer before the
Justices of the Duchy for the death of John
de Holden, upon Appeal of Murder.
Precept to the Sheriff to supersede the Out-
lawry for Trespasses in the Duchy Chases.
Precept to the Sheriff to supersede an Outlawry,
King Richard II. having granted him pardon.
Similar Writs for WiUiam Crist and John de
Leylond, Souter, of Wigan.
Precept to the Escheator to supersede Levy of
Rent of 100 Marks (£66 13s. 4d.) out of
Wetheton Manor.
Precept to the Sheriff to supersede Outlawry,
Defendant having found Bail to appear at
Annus Nanus (1385). In Tergo.
Various Recognisances of Debts and Writs de Supersedendo, addressed to the Sheriff.
Annus Decimns (1386). In Tergo.
Recognisances of Debts, &c.
I John de Walton Robert de Saureby and John deBirke-
heved. Chaplains
No. 23. 1 Robert de Saureby and John John de Walton and Rosa his Wife ...
No. 22,
dors.
dors.
No. 24.
dors.
No. 25.
dors.
/ de Birkeheved, Chaplains
I Agnes Banastre i For William de Horneby, Parson of the
I Church of St. Michael-upon-Wyre..
Annus Undecimns (1387). In Tergo.
Recognisances of Debts and Writs de Supersedendo as to Debts,
Enrolment of Grant of Lands, kc, in Lancaster,
Bare, and Kertmell, 9 Rich. II. (1385-6).
Grant of the above Lands, &c., in Fee Tail,
special.
Recognisance of Debt of 500 Marks (£333 6s, 8d)
for Infeoffment of Lands, seized into the Duke's
hands by the minority of Constance Banastre.
William de Dutton
For William Molen, Robert Dyryng,
John de Cornay, and others. Chap-
lains
No. 26.
dors.
No. 27.
dors.
Annus Duodedmus (1388).
Gilbert de Halsall and
others
In Tergo.
For the King and Duke .
Enrolment of Grant of Lands, &c., of William
de Dutton in Ribchester, Bispham, Northe-
brok, and all his Burgages and Lands and
Tenements in Preston, in Amounderness, 11
Rich. II. (1387-8).
Recognisance of Debt of £700 for payment to
WiUiam de Hornby, Receiver, of £237 143.
Ofd. for his Account of the Time he was
Sheriff. Witness, Henry, Earl of Derby, Gus-
tos of the Duchy, 12 Rich. II. (1388-9).
Recognisance of Debt of £200 for the said
Robert, to render Account of his Office of
Sheriff
T--^ "n^°'^f"llf^.tZ.°^ King Richard IL (1383-4) there are no Books nor Rolls extant to the 1st of Henry IV. (1399)."-^
Libra Great Ayloffe'- (1692) ; pa ge 159, tn John of Gaunfs Chancery of the Duchy {Record Office).
' This venerable index, whicli, by tlie muniflcouce of Her Maie,9ty
has become public property, and is now preserved in the Record Office
IS, as described in the schedule of Ayloffe's will, "a book givinir an
.-vccount of all or most of the records in the dutchy office, and how to find
them ; it was commenced in 1684, and, as the author himself informs us,
occupied thirty years in the compilation, a period during which Benjamin
■) Robert de
/ others ...
Standyssh and
For the King and Duke .
Ayloffe, the industrious compiler, filled the office of clerk and keeper of
the records of the duchy of Lancaster. The most important entries of the
" Great Ayloffe " relating to Lancashire and Cheshire have' lately been
published by the Record Society (vol. viii.) under the editorship of Walford
D. Selby, Esq., of Her Majesty's Record Office.
CHAP. X. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
167
In the " Originalia Memoranda," on the Lord Treasurer's side of the Exchequer we find the
following Records relating to the county and duchy of Lancaster, from the period when the ducal
house first rose mto distinction to the time when the third Duke of Lancaster ascended the
throne, with the letters-patent of Henry IV. and Henry V.
T,. ^^^!^^E^^^'~'^^^ °"^'® °^ Lancaster's charter, enrolled in Memoranda 9 Edw. I. (1281) ; and Records of St. Hilary, 19
Edw. 11. (lo25-o). •"
Chart, of Henry, E. of Lane, enrolled. Reeds. St. Hil. 6 Edw. IIL (1327)— Roll.
D. of Lane's liberty of replevying to the Morrow of Easter Term, iu Co. York. ' Reos. St. Mich. 26 Ed. Ill (1352)— Roll
Unjust claim of Henry, late E. of Lane, Duke of Lane, in Co. Derby. Recs. St. Hil. 26 Edw. IIL (1352)— Roll
CharterofDukeof Lane respecting divers liberties granted to him iu the city of London. Recs. Hil 27 Edw III (1353)— Roll
Charter of the D. of Lane for receiving ^40 under the Honor of the Earl of Derby and Lincoln, in equal parts, in Co. Leicester.
Mich. Records, 23 Edw. III. (1354) — Roll.
Duke of Lancaster's claim in Co. Leicester. Easter Recs. 28 Edw. III. (1354) — Roll 1.
Charter of D. of Lane in Co. Leicester, enrolled Mich. Recs. 29 Edw. III. (1355)— Roll.
Cognisance of Rich. Michel, sheriff of Not. and Derby, for the D. of Lane in Co. Derby. Hil. Recs. 32 Edw III (1358)— Roll
D. of Lane's claim in Co. Line for working fines. Mich. Recs. 33 Edw. III. (1359)— Roll.
Charter of John, D. of Lane. Mich, llecs. 38 Edw. III. (1364)— Roll 24.
Charter of John, Duke of Lancaster. Mich. Recs. 38 Edw. III. (1364) 21.
Record sent to the King's chancellor in the county of Lancaster. Mich. Reos. 38 Edw. III. (1364)— Roll.
Charter of J., D. of L., for liberties granted to him. Hil. Recs. 39 Edw. III. (1365) — Roll 16.
D. of Lane's claim of divers sums. Mich. Recs. 42 Edw. III. (1368) — Roll 20.
D. of Lane's Charter, 47 Edw. III. (1373)— Roll.
Charters of John, Kg. of Cast, and Leon, D. of Lane, enrolled Mich. Recs. 1 Rio. II. (1377-8)— Roll 2.
Charter of John, D. of Aquitaine and Lane, of liberties granted to him by the king. Mich. Recs. 21 Rie IL (1397-8) Roll 13.
The Duke of Lancaster's claim of divers sums charged upon the sheriffs of the Counties of Somerset, Dorset, Lincoln and York'
Mich. Recs. 21 Rie II. (1397-8)— Roll 20. . , •
John, Duke of Lancaster's claim of divers sums charged upon the sheriff of the County of Line Mich. Recs. 22 Rie II
(1398-9)— Roll 34.
The claim of John, D. of L. for divers sums. Mich. Recs. 21 Rie II. (1397-8)— Roll 21.
The claim of John, D. of Lane, for divers sums upon the sheriff of Lincoln's accountant. Mich. 23 Rich. II. (1399) — Roll 34.
The King's Letters Patent touching the Duchy of Lane enrolled Mich. Recs. 1 Hen. IV. (1399-1400) — Roll 14.
* * * » * «
Two Letters Patent made to John Leventhorp, under the seal of the Duchy of Lancaster, enrolled Mich. Recs. 1 Henry IV.
(1399-1400)— Roll 15.
f * * * It *
Divers sums claimed by our Lord the King's Attorney-Gen. of his Duchy of Lane, to be placed to the same King as for his
Duchy of Lane, in Co. Derby and elsewhere. Trinity Records, 5 Henry IV. (1403-4) — Roll 16.
* *****
The King's Letters under his privy seal of the Duchy of Lane enrolled Mich. Recs. 6 Hen. V. (1418-19) — Roll 19.
Of the illustrious John of Gaunt, Duke of Lancaster, it has been observed that he was the son
of a king, the father of a king, and the uncle of a king, and could have said as much as Charles of
Valois had he been the brother of a king. His children were as follows : —
By Blanche, youngest Daughter and co-heir of Henry, Duke of Lancaster, his first Wife —
Henry of Lancaster, surnamed Bolingbroke, afterwards Henry IV. of England. The first king
of the Lancastrian line.
Philippa of Lancaster, married John I., King of Portugal.
Elizabeth of Lancaster, married, 1st, to John Holland, K.G., Earl of Huntingdon, and Duke
of Exeter, and, 2nd, to Sir John Cornwall, K.G.
By Constance, eldest Daughter and co-heir of Peter, King of Castile and Leon, his second Wife —
Katherine of Lancaster, married Henry IIL, King of Castile and Leon.
By Catharine Swynford, Daughter and co-heir of Sir Payne Eoelt, Knt, and Widow of Sir Hugh
de Swynford, afterwards third Wife —
John Beaufort, Marquess of Somerset and Dorset, married Margaret, daughter of Thomas
Holland, Earl of Kent. . „„-. j -o- i, t
Henry Beaufort, Cardinal of St. Eusebius, Bishop of Lincoln (1397) and Bishop ot
Winchester (1426).
1 Thomas Beaufort, Duke of Exeter. , -n i i. at -n v ^
'Joan Beaufort, married, 1st, Robert, Lord Ferrers of Wemme, and, 2nd, Ralph JNeville, Jiari
of Westmorland.
■ In the pedigree of the Earls and Dukes of Lancaster, pp. 62.3, by the accidental omissioa of the marks of deBCe,^, the te^^^^^
children of Joh^f Saunt by Catharine Swynford -Henry, Thomas, and Joan Beaufort-appear as the issue of John Beaufort instead ot John. Uute
of Lancaster.
168
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. X.
Raised to the throne by a Parliamentary revolution, and holding power by the will of the Parlia-
ment, the son of John of Gaunt had too equivocal a title to admit of his resuming the struggle for
independence on the part of the crown, and the grounds even on which he rested his claim to the
sovereignty — by conquest and by inheritance^ — were in themselves contradictory, and hence his
rule was marked by a ready compliance with the prayers of the two Houses of Parliament, whose
powers were, perhaps, ne^er more frankly recognised at any time in the country's history. But the
throne of a usurper is never a bed of roses, and the reign of Henry IV., short though it was, was
agitated by violent animosities : one conspiracy broke out after another, the peace was continuously
disturbed by the struggles of contending factions, and on the third day of his first Parliament, in
the week of his coronation,- no less than forty challenges were given and received, and forty gages
thrown down by the angry and excited barons, The insurrection of the Earls of Rutland, Kent,
JOHN OF GAUNT, DUKE OF LANCASTER.
and Huntingdon, which had for its object the restoration of Richard, was followed by an
insurrection in Wales; and a royal proclamation, addressed to the "Chancellor of the King's
County Palatine of Lancaster," announced that Owyn Glyndourdy, and other rebels, had lately
„ „ * ^°ll^'"1 'i'^-J- ^'^^) A^y° ^? claimed on three grounds, viz., con-
quest, right of birth, and the resignation of Richard-reasons that are
thus set out by Gower m hia doggerel chronicle
Regnum cmqiustat que per hoc sibi jus manifestat :
Regno succedit hceres nee abinde recedit
Insuper eligilur a plebeque sic stabilitur (Pol. Songs i 4491 •
and Chaucer recognises the threefold claim when, in his *' Comple'ynte"
to his purse (p. 22) he thus addresses him— v^umpieyii w,
O conqueror of Brutes Albyoun,
Which that by lygm and free dercioun
Ben verray Kjnge.-C.
With the object of strengtlioning liis position, and perhaps with the
hope of eventually superseding the older Order of the Garter, many of the
knights of which were uncertain in their allegiance, Henry, at his
coronation, instituted a second military order, the knights of which,
from the custom of washing the body on the eve of great religious cere-
monies, were styled "Knights Companion of the Bath." There is no
early complete register of the Order, but among the forty-six knights
made at the institution were three Lancashire men— Sir John Ashton,
of Ashton-under-Lyno, Sir John Arden and Sir William Boteler, of
CHAP. X. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
169
risen against the king m great numbers, to resist whom the chancellor was required to proclaim
withm his jurisdiction that all knights and esquires able to bear arms in person, and archCs X
received annual, fees from the king should repair to Worcester by the 1st of October, to io n the
other levies raised to put down this insurrection (1400-1401). > ' Owyn Glyndourdy, oi Owen
glf'i^^^y V^^^'T write It, who claimed to be the great-grandson of Llewellyn and the rightt\d
Prince of Wales, had made inroads on the garrisons of Ruthin, Oswestry, and other places on the
Welsh marches The flame of insurrection spread fast, and from his mountain llstnesses he
leader was able to dely the power oi England. Mortimer, whom he had made prisoner, from being
an enemy, became his friend and ally, and ultimately he was joined by the Perci^s, who had
tmned their arms against the Lancastrian king. A long and sanguinary civil war Ensued, in
which Henryhad by tiirns to fight against his English subjects, under the Eafl of Northumberland-
who, from being his ftiend had become his deadly enemy-the Welsh under their native princes,
and the Scotch under Robert III. of that kingdom; but by his courage, skill, and prudence ho
overcanie his enemies, and established that throne by the power of the sword, which appeared at
first to have been erected upon the afiections of his people. The writ to raise troops in the county
ot Lancaster was followed by another addressed to the chancellor of the duchy, commanding him
to proclaim that William Atherton and Edmund de Dacre were appointed to collect the
"reasonable aid of twenty shillings for the marriage-portion of Blanche of Lancaster, the king's
eldest daughter, to the Duke of Bavaria, and for the knighting of the king's eldest son Henrv of
Monmouth (Dec. 12th, 1402). ^ ■^
-ni ?'^ wounds inflicted upon the pride of France by the conquests made in that country by the
Black Prince and the Earl ot Derby (son of Henry, Earl of Lancaster), formed a never-ending source
of hostility between the French and English nations; and the Duke of Orleans did not fail' to avail
himself of the difficulties by which Henry IV. was surrounded. His attacks were directed against
the English castles and fortresses, both in the south and north of France, at Bordeaux and at
Calais. To prevent these possessions from falling into the hands of the French, the king issued a
proclamation to the chancellor of the duchy and of the county palatine of Lancaster, as°well as to
the sherifl's of other counties, commanding him to proclaim, in all proper places within his jurisdic-
tion, that all knights, esquires, valets, and other persons competent for defence, having any fees or
annuities, lands, tenements, gifts or grants, or other donations, held by gift of the king or his
progenitors, should personally appear in the king's presence at London within fifteen days from
the date of the proclamation (1407).^ These demonstrations were of themselves sufficient to
preserve the English possessions without striking a blow ; and the contest between the Duke of
Burgimdy and the Duke of Orleans— in which the King of England, in a proclamation to the
chancellor of the county palatine of Lancaster, inhibited the people of England from taking any
part so much engaged the French armies — that they would not prosecute their hostility against
the English cities of France.* Sir Thomas Beaufort had been appointed admiral of the north, but
even while negotiations for peace were going on with France piracy continued, and plundering
parties from the opposite coasts were organised with greater completeness than before. At
Harfleur privateers were fitted out on the pretence of serving under the King of Scotland, though
negotiations for a treaty of peace were at the time pending betAveen the English and the Scots. These
privateers preyed upon English merchandise, and it was estimated that property of the value of
£100,000 was captured nominally by the Scots, but really by the subjects of the King of France.
It must not, however, be supposed that the French were the only offenders, or that the English
were more sinned against than sinning, for every port along the southern coasts of England Avas
a haven for pirates and desperadoes to whom filibustering was as profitable as it was an exciting
employment, and they were not always very discriminating as to whether the vessels attacked
belonged to an enemy or to a friendly neighbour.
That the commerce of this county, in its infant state, was at this period greatly injured and
impeded by the depredations of the hostile powers by which England was assailed, may be inferred
from a petition to the Commons House of Parliament from the inhabitants of Lancashire, Cheshire,
and Cumberland, in which they allege that several robberies and depredations have been com-
aitted on their coast by their enemies of France and Scotland, and by the rebels of Wales, who
' Claus. 2 Henry IV. p. 2, m. 1, d. A oomml^alon of array on the extending over two years. The winter preceding tlie wedding was spent
"rebellion of Oweu Glyndourdy," dated 10th August 3 Henry IV., was in preparing the outfit, and the Issue Rolls of the Exchequer record pay-
directed to Richard de Hoghton, Nicholas de Harrington, Ralph Radclif, ments to the amount of £1,840 on this account alone for woollen cloth,
Thomas Tunstall, Thomas Gerard, William Botiller, Robert Standyssh, embroidery, furs, skins, saddles, and other necessaries of a great lady's
William de Athiston (? Atherton), John de Assheton, John Sotheworth, trouBsmu. Among the items is a payment of £100 "for cloth of gold and
Gilbert Halsall, John del Botlio, Ralph Standyssh, Robert Lawrence, and other wares " at the establishment of the great London mercer, Richard
Richard de Radcliff. C. Whytington, Who had then just been made an alderman— the preparatory
'' Fin. 3 Henry IV. m. 16. The "reasonable aid" was the feudal step to his becoming " thrice Lord Mayor."— C.
form of raising money from the king's tenants. The dower promised " Claus. 8 Henry IV. m. 17 d.
with the lady was 40,000, of which 16,000 nobles were to be paid down * Glaus. 13 Henry IV. m. 22 d.
on the solemnisation of the marriage; and the balance by instalments
23
70 THE HISTORT OF LANCASHIRE. chap. x.
have seized and taken their vessels, owing, as they allege, to no admiral or keeper of the seas
beino- upon the station, to the great destruction, ruin, and oppression of the said counties; for
remedy whereof they pray that protection may be afforded to them. To which petition the king
replied that an admiral should be appointed for the safeguard of the seas of the north-western
coast (141 Oy
The contest for the papacy, which at this time agitated all Christendom, was felt so strongly
in England that a proclamation was issued by the lung to the sheriff of the county of Lancaster,
and to other counties, wherein it was announced that Peter de Luna, alias Benedict XIIL, and
Angelo Corario, alias Gregory XIL, were rashly contending for the papal chair, and both of them
being pronounced and declared notorious heretics and schismatics by the definitive sentence of the
holy and universal synod canonically congregated at Pisa, the most reverend father in Christ, the
Lord Petro de Candias, on account of his merits, was elected by the same authority to the
pontificate, by the title of Alexander V., and the sheriff was commanded to make proclamation
in all places within his jurisdiction that the said Alexander V. was the true Roman pontifex
(1410).^
The life of King Henry IV., though only in the meridian of his years, was now drawing fast
to a termination. The scenes through which he had passed on his way to the throne, and the
disquietude with which he was assailed from so many quarters, while in the possession of that
giddy eminence, preyed upon his constitution and shortened his days. Worn out by the troubles
of his reign, he died at Westminster on the 20th March 1413, in the forty-seventh year of his age
and the fourteenth of his reign. Had it been his fate to remain in the sufficiently elevated but
more humble state of Duke of Lancaster it is highly probable that his life would have been more
happy and his death less early. By his will (dated Jan. 21, 1408), which breathes a spirit of
remorse characteristic of the state of the royal mind, he bequeathed the duchy of Lancaster as an
endowment to his consort the queen, in these words : " I will that the queen be endowed of the
duchy of Lancaster."
The reign of Henry V., the second British king of the Lancastrian line, presents one of the
most splendid periods in the military annals of England. During this short but eventful reign,
France was once more laid prostrate at the feet of her ancient rival; and the capital of that
kingdom, as well as the power of its government, was held by the British monarch with a tenacity
which was not relaxed even in the hour of death. At home all was tranquillity ; the cabals of the
court, which had embittered the last days of Henry IV., were hushed by the frank and fascinating
character of his once profligate son, and the scenes of domestic discontent were confined altogether
to the contests between the early reformers of the Church of Rome.
The first English martyr in the cause of the Lollards was William Sautr^, rector of Osythes,
in London, who was consigned to the flames in 1401, at the instance of the Church, in virtue of a
writ issued by Henry IV., whose father, John of Gaunt, had been the early patron and firm friend
of John Wycliffe, the founder of the obnoxious sect in England. Henry V., more influenced
probably by a wish to preserve the peace and harmony of his kingdom, than by any strong
predilections, espoused the cause of the Church of Rome ; and it would appear from a royal
proclamation, issued in the first year of his reign, to the sherifE' of the county palatine of Lancaster,
that the new schismatics had spread into this county. In this proclamation the king announced that
certain preachers, not privileged by law, or licensed by the diocesan of the place, or permitted by
the Church, of the new sect of Lollards, preach in public places, contrary to the ordinances of the
Church, and, under colour of preaching the word of God, foment and disseminate discord among
the people,_ and the pestiferous seed of evil doctrine. For remedy of which, and to protect the
Catholic faith, the sheriff is commanded to make proclamation that no chaplain shall hold, dogmatise,
preach, or defend this heresy and error, under pain of imprisonment and forfeiture of goods ; and
if any persons shall be found publicly or privately infringing these orders, by holding conventicles,
or congregations, or receiving the preachers of the obnoxious doctrines, or shall be really and
vehemently suspected of so doing, they shall be committed to prison without delay, to remain there
until they shall obey the mandates of the diocesan in whose diocese they have preached, to be
certified by the diocesan himself (1413).=' The demand for reformation in the doctrine and the
discipline of the Church was far too loud and too widely extended to be silenced by proclamations;
and hence we find from another royal mandate, addressed to the chancellor of the county palatine
of Lancaster in the following year (1414), that divers of the liege subjects of the king, on the incite-
ment and instigation " of a most cunning and subtle enemy,^ Sir John Oldcastle (Lord Cobham),
holdmg and teaching various opinions manifestly contrary and obnoxious to the Catholic faith, and
to sound doctrine, stood charged with wickedly imagining and conspiring the king's death, because
1 Kot. ParL 11 Henry IV. i(m 62, vol. iu. p. 639. = Clau3. 11 Hoiiry IV. m. 81 dors. " Glaus. 1 Hen. V.
CHAP. X. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
171
he and his counsellors would not assent to these doctrines. The accused parties, too conscientious
to plead not gmlty dF an offence which they had actually committed, or under some other influence
which It IS now difficult to discover, confessed their guilt; and the king of his special grace
pardoned all. the offenders, except Lord Cobham, Sir Thomas Talbot, knight, and ten other persons
of inferior station. This pardon the chancellor was required to proclaim through the whole of his
jurisdiction; and the reformers, with the above exceptions, some of whom had taken refuo'e in the
places of sanctuary— Manchester and Lancaster being of that number— were allowed to plead the
royal pardon before the feast of the Nativity of St. John the Baptist (June 24) next ensuing ^ A
number of the Lollards forfeited their lives to the dictates of their conscience— for it is impossible to
impute to the great mass of them any sinister motive; and Lord Cobham, the most zealous and
distingiushed of their number, who had escaped from the Tower, was, three years later (1418)
recaptured while the king was in France, and hung up by the middle upon a gallows erected in
St. George's Fields, where he was consumed alive in the fire, under the declaration of the archbishop
and his provincial synod that he was an incorrigible heretic. These terrible examples checked for
a time the spread of Lollardism; but the fires only smouldered, and, in the reign of Henry VIII.,
under sanction of the king, they burst forth with a force so irresistible as to destroy the whole
power of the " Holy Anglican Mother Church."
At this period a large accession of wealth and power was made to the duchy of Lancaster, by
the union of the rights and possessions of the county of Hereford to the duchy, under 'the
sanction of the following royal ordinance (2 Hen. V. 1414) : —
" The king, by the assent of Parliament, declares, grants, and ordains, that all the honors, castles, hundreds, manors, lands
tenements, reversions, rents, services, fees, advowsons, possessions, and lordships, as well within the kingdom of England as in
parts of Wales and other places, within the king's lordships, which have descended, or shall descend inheritably to the king, after
the death of Dame Maria, one of the daughters and heirs of Humphrey de Bohun, formerly Earl of Hereford, Essex, and
Northampton, and Constable of England, as to the son and heir of that Dame Mary ; also, that all the rights, liberties, franchises
and frank customs, to the same inheritance appertaining or regarding, be severed from the crown of England, and adjoined, annexed)
united, and incorporated to and with the said king's duchy of Lancaster, perpetually to remain to the same king, as being so
adjoined, united, annexed, and incorporated ; and further, that all the honors, castles, hundreds, wapentakes, manors, lands,
tenements, and reversions aforesaid, and all other things to the said inheritance regarding, and the vassals and tenants to It
appertaining, be also entirely enfranchised, and by the officers treated, guarded, and governed, in all respects, as possessions to the
said duchy appertaining, and the vassals and tenants to the same duchy regarding, are enfranchised, treated, guarded, and governed
for ever ; and this, according to the form, force, and eifect of the words contained in a schedule passed in this Parliament ; and by
the king, with the assent of the Lords aforesaid, and the authority aforesaid, fully affirmed. ['Then follows an enumeration of the
possessions at great length.^]
Scarcely had the chancellor oi the duchy of Lancaster proclaimed, by royal command, the
truce between England and Castile and Leon when the King of England, having renewed the old
claim to the crown of France, and desiring to quarter the cities of that kingdom with the three lions
of England, resolved on invading the French king's dominions, and embarked at Southampton with
an army of six thousand cavalry, and twenty-four thousand foot, principally archers, and landed at
Harfleur, August 14th, 1415. After carrying the garrison of that town, and leaving a number of
his troops to defend that fortress, Henry, at the head of his troops, marched for Calais, but on his
way he was interrupted by a hostile army of fourteen thousand cavalry and forty thousand
infantry, under the command of the Constable of France, and obliged to come to battle on the
plains of Agincourt.'' Here the glories of Crescy and Poictiers were renewed, and the cry of
" A Derby " or " An Edward," was not more piercing in the ears of the discomfited French army
on those fields of English glory than was the cry of " A Henry " on the field of Agincourt. The
loss of England in this memorable battle (fought Oct. 25, 1415), which destroyed the military
power of France, was incredibly small — some of the contemporary authorities say not exceeding
forty men — amongst whom were Edward, Duke of York, and the Earl of Suffolk.'' That this number
is much underrated cannot be doubted, and if the nature of the engagement did not establish that
fact, it might be inferred from the proclamation to the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster,
issued by the king soon afterwards, for the purpose of recruiting his army, by which all knights,
esquires, and valets, holding fees or annuities of the king for term of years, or for life, were
required, under forfeiture of the same, to appear in their own persons at Southampton, to cross the
seas to France arrayed and furnished with suppUes for three months (1416).°
' Claus 2 Henry V m. 24 dearly the nature of tho force that landed at Harfleur, and the extent to
' Eot. Pari, voi: iv. p. 46. While speaking of this Act, Sir Edward which the chivalry of Lancashire shared in the glories of that memorable
Coke says—" For the great roialties, liberties, privileges, immunities, St. Crispin's Day.— C. a. i- n
quitances, and freedoms, which the Duke of Lancaster had for him and « The estimates of the Enghsh loss are very conflicting. Our own
his men and tenants see Rot. Pari, die Lunse post octav. Sancti Martini chroniclers make it absurdly small, butit must have been some hundreds,
an. 2 Henry V., aU which are estabUshed, ratified, and continued by Monstrelet puts the loss of the English at sixteen hundred, and another
authority of Parliament, necessary to be known by such as have any of French historian, St Remy, gives the same number. 01 the omvaU'y ot
these possessions. "-Wrtt InMtute, p. 210. Franco the flower perished. Seven pnnces of «'°,^l°°d *«"■ Xs^„^^"
= The " EoU of the men-at-arms that were at the Battle of Agin- thousand gentlemen, of whom a hundred and twenty were nobles bearing
court" and "The Retinue of Henry V. in his first voyage," pubhshed banners.- C.
in Sir N. H. Nicholas's Ewiory of the Battle of Agincourt, exhibit very = Claus. 4 Henry V. m. 21 d.
172
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. X.
Before the departure of the king for France he instituted commissions of array in this and
the other counties of England, to take a review of all the freemen able to bear arms, and to divide
them into companies, that they might be kept in readiness to resist an enemy. " This," says Mr.
Hume, " was the first commission of array which we meet with in English history." How a writer
of so much research should have fallen into the error of supposing that there had existed in
England no commission of array till the time of Henry V. it is not easy to imagine : commissions of
this nature had been instituted two centuries before, and the number of them in operation in the
reio-ns of the EdAvards, in the county of Lancaster alone, it is difEcult to estimate.
° The necessities of the state had plunged the king into great pecuniary difficulties; and
although the county of Hereford, with its land revenues, had recently been added to his hereditary
possessions, he was obliged, before he could embark his troops for France, to raise supplies by
pledging the crown jewels. The loans obtained in this way had been contracted for with so much
precipitation, and the regalia had been so widely dispersed, that a proclamation was issued by the
king to the chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, wherein it was announced that certain royal
jewels, of no little value, had been committed and pledged, for the greater expedition of the king's
voyage lately made to France, to certain of his liege subjects retained in the expedition, for the
payment of their wages, which jewels it was now proper should be restored; the chancellor was
therefore commanded to proclaim, that all persons Avithin his jurisdiction, Avho had received such
pledged jewels, should present them in person at the public treasury, in order that they might be
redeemed; in default whereof, the offending parties were rendered liable to forfeit all their
goods (1416).'
In anticipation of a continuance of the Avar Avith France, a commission, dated April 28th
6 Henry V. (1418), was issued for the muster and training of those capable of bearing arms within
the several hundreds of the county palatine, when the folloAving persons were named as
commissioners to take the chief direction : — ■
John Stanley
William de Atherton
John Gerrard
Nicholas de Harrington
Henry de Kyghley
Robert de Halsall
Nicholas Blundell
Thomas Bradshaw de Hagh
Lawrence de Standish
William de ffariugton
Christopher de Standish
Ralph de Clayton
John de Coppull
William de Worthyngton de
Worthyngton
Richard de Hoghton
Thomas Urswicke
Nicholas Butteller
Richard Butteller de Kyrklond
Nicholas Singleton
Richard de Katerall
Thomas Rigmaydeu
James de Pykering
John Brokholes
AA^thin the AVapentake
(Hundred) of AA''est
Derby.
Within the Wapentake
of Leyland.
Within the Wapentake
of Amounderness.
John Pylkington, Knt.
John Byron, Knt.
John de Hilton de ffarnworth
John del Bothe
Handle de Radcliffe
Richard de Radolife de Radclife
Robert del Holt
Edmund de Trafford )
Henry Hoghton, Knt. \
Richaid Radclife
Richard Shirburne
Henry de Longton
Richard de Townley
Thomas de Southworth
Thomas de Osbaldeston
Robert Laurence, Knt.
William Tunstall
Walter de Curwen
Nicholas de Crofte
John de Mosley
John Lawrence
Richard Kirkby, Knt.
Thomas ffleming, Knt.
John Pennyugton
John Broghton
John Harrington de Cartmell
Henry de Guype
AVithin the Wapentake
of Salford.
Within the Wapentake
of Blackburnshire.
Within the Wapentake
of Lonsdale,
Within the Wapentake
of ffourneys (Furness)
The career of King Henry V. Avas as short as it Avas brilliant. When his glory had nearly
reached its summit, and both crowns Avere just devolving upon him, a mortal malady seized him
at the age of thirty-four years, and consigned the conqueror of France to the tomb on the 81st
August, 1422. His principal care in his last illness Avas to provide for the secure possession of his
French conquest to his infant son Henry VL, then but nine months old, Avhom he commended to
his brother, the Duke of Bedford, desiring that the Earl of WarAvick might be his tutor— little
suspecting that this unfortunate child Avould not, in his mature years, be able to maintain even
his English possessions, and that, in his person, the Lancaster line would be pushed from the
throne of his fathers.
' Glaus. 4 Henry V. m. 11. dors.
CHAP. X.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
173
The will of Henry V. bears date (in 1417) three years before his marriage to the Princess
Catharine, and four years before the birth of his only son. By that will the royal testator
bequeaths his duchy of Lancaster to his two brothers, John, Duke of Bedford, and Humphrey,
Duke of Gloucester, in these terms : —
" I will and pray the aforesaid feoffee, &c., in the' castles and manors of Halton and Clitheroe, and in all other lordships,
manors, lands, tenements, rents, services, and other possessions, &c., do depart, as evenly as ye may, in two parts equal, the same
castles, lordships, manors, &c. And inasmuch as you may goodly, ye do assign in the t'one of the said two parts, castles, lordships,
&c., in the south coasts, and in the t'other, do assign castles, &o., in the north coasts of England ; [in the latter to] enfeoff my
brother John, Duke of Bedford, and his heirs-male ; [in the south to] enfeoff my brother Humphrey, Duke of Gloucester, to him
and his heirs-male, &c." '
> This, the last will of Henry V., was dated 24th July, 1415, imme-
diately before his departure to France, but the subsequent birth of a son
abrogiited its principal beqiiests, and the whole duchy of Lancaster
descended to Henry VI. The will concludes with these words in his own
autograph : " This is my last will, subscribed with my own hand, R. H.
Josu, mercy and gremercy, Ladle Marie, help." — C.
CHAPTEE XI.
Scarcity of Records for History during the Wara of the Roses— Marriage of Henry VI.— Claims of the Rival Houses of York and
Lancaster to the Throne— Wara of the Roses— Henry VI. dethroned by Edward IV.— Henry seeks an Asylum in Lancashire-
Taken by Sir John Talbot— Sir John's Grant for this Service— Catastrophe to the Lancastrian Family — Edward V. murdered in
the Tower Coronation of Richard III. — His Warrant for Seizing a Rebel's Land in Lancashire — The King's Jealousy towards
the Duke of Richmond, Son-in-law of Lord Stanley, extends to his Lordship— Attainder of Lady Stanley, Countess of
Richmond — Landing of the Duke of Richmond in England — Battle of Bosworth Field — Confiscation of Lancashire Estates-
Union of the Houses of York and Lancaster — Sweating Sickness — Lambert Simnell and Perkin Warbeck, Pretenders to the
Throne-— Fatal Consequences of the Civil Wars to the Duke of York's Family (note) — Sir William Stanley accused of High
Treason Condemned and Executed— Henry VII.'s Royal Progress to Lancashire — Execution of Edward, Earl of Warwick,
the last Male of the Plantagenet Line— Death of Henry VII.— a.d. 1422 to 1509.
LTHOUGH few periods in English history afford so many materials for the pen of
the general and local historian as that comprehended in the reigns of Henry VI.,
Edward IV., and Eichard III., during which time the wars between the houses
of York and Lancaster raged with so much fury, and that of the reign of Henry
VII., when these intestine broils were happily composed by the union of the rival
houses in the JDersons of Henry VII. and his queen, yet there is no time, from
the reign of King Stephen, so destitute as this of authentic records. The savage
and murderous contests of the court and of the people appear so to have
disorganised society that the usual communications between the authorities in the provinces and
the government were neglected ; or, if proclamations and edicts were issued in the several counties,
they perished with many of those to whom they were addressed, the usual depositories being found
almost destitute of these documents. This paucity of official information is the more extraordinary,
seeing that the art of printing, that great engine of multiplication, was introduced into England by
William Caxton in 1471, during the Wars of the Koses.
Many of the conquests made in France by Henry V. were lost during the regency appointed for
the government of England, in the nonage of his successor. In June, 1429, the French, led by
Joan of Arc, defeated the English at Jargeau and at Patay. From being attacked they in turn
became the aggressors. Victory followed victory, until at length the Dauphin was crowned at Rheims,
as Joan had predicted. The Duchy Rolls contain frequent entries of subsidies granted for the
carrying on of the war, but the English cause was irretrievably lost, and in spite of the pompous
coronation of the boy-king, at Paris, 1430, the Duke of Bedford had to abandon all hope of
retaining France, and contented himself with securing Normandy, where, at Rouen, Henry for a
a time held his court. When in his twenty-third year Henry was united in marriage with Margaret
of Anjou, daughter of Regnier, titular king of Sicily, Naples, and Jerusalem, Duke of Anjou, and
brother of Charles V. (22nd April, 1445). The commanding and masculine talents of his royal
consort would, it was conceived, compensate for the weakness and effeminacy of the Icing ; and
though she brought no possessions, the French province of the Maine, then a part of the English
territory, was, by a secret treaty, ceded to Charles, her uncle, on the consummation of the royal
marriage. By a singular coincidence, the king had, seven years before this event, changed the title
of "Anjou Icing of arms," in the English Heralds' College to that of "Lancaster Icing of arms;"
and in a list of new-year's gifts presented by King Henry VI., in 1436, to the Lancaster Herald, as
well as to a person who was then created a pursuivant of arms, by the title of Collar, there is a
silver bell each, but for what purpose it is difficult to comprehend.^
No sooner had the queen arrived in the English court than she entered into all the intrigues
by Avhich it was agitated. The Duke of Gloucester, uncle to the king, having become obnoxious
to the predominant party, at the head of which stood Cardinal Winchester and the Dukes of
Buckingham, Somerset, and Suffolk, he was marked out as their victim. In 1440 the Duchess of
Gloucester, Eleanor, the daughter of Lord Cobham, a lady of haughty carriage and ambitious
mind, being attached to the prevailing superstitions of the day, was accused of the crime of
' Cotton. MSS. Cleop. P, iv. fo, 103 (Orig.)
CHAP. XI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 175
witchcraft ; and it was alleged against her and her associate, Sir' Roger Bolingbroke, a canon of
St. Stephen's Chapel, and Margery Jourdain, the witch of Eye, that they had in their possession a
wax figure of the king, which they melted by a magical device before a slow fire, with the intention
of wasting away his force and vigour by insensible degrees. This story partakes of the nature of
the kindred superstition which prevailed a century and half afterwards, and of which Ferdinando,
Earl of Derby, was the subject, if not the victim ; and we find that the wax figure in witchcraft
takes its date at a period antecedent to the wars of the houses of York and Lancaster. The imbecile
mind of Henry was sensibly affected by this wicked invention ; and the duchess on being brought
to trial, and found guilty of the design to destroy the king and his ministers by the agency of
witchcraft, was sentenced to do public penance, and to suffer perpetual imprisonment, while her
confederates were condemned to death and executed. After enduring the ignominy of her public
penance, rendered peculiarly severe by the exalted station from which she had fallen, the duchess
was banished to the Isle of Man, where she was placed under the ward of Sir Thomas Stanley. On
her way to the place of exile she was confined for some time, first in Leeds castle, and afterwards
in the castle of Liverpool." Events so congenial with the imagination of our great dramatic poet
could scarcely fail to find their way into his historical plays ; and hence we' find, in the second
part of his " Henry VI. ," a small stream of historical fact running through an ample meadow of poetic
fiction, in which the duchess is exhibited and detected in the midst of these works of darkness.^
After remaining in the Isle of Man some years, it would appear that this unfortunate lady was
transferred to Calais, under the ward of Sir John Steward, or, as he describes himself, "Johannes
Seneschallus, miles, filius Johannis Seneschalli, alitor dicti Scot Angli." From the will of this
knight it appears that he was a resident and had an important command in Calais, in the mother
church of which town he deshes to be buried, He names John Roos as his confessor ; bequeaths
to his eldest son, Thomas, all his harness of war, and his ship, the Grace de Dieu, which his
master, the Duke of Bedford, had given him, together with his lands in the marches of Calais. To
Sir Thomas Criell he leaves '' a ring with a diamond, which Eleanor Cobham, Duchess of Gloucester,
gave me while she lived with me as my prisoner."
The Duke of Gloucester, if possible more unfortunate than his lady, was accused of high
treason, in aspiring to the throne, and summoned to take his trial before the High Court of
Parliament at Bury St. Edmunds ; but, on the eve of the investigation, he was found dead in his
bed, without marks of violence, though by no means without strong suspicion that he had fallen a
victim to the cruel devices of his relentless persecutors. His great adversary, Henry Beaufort, a
son of John of Gaunt, died six weeks after him at the age of eighty years. His deathbed scene
has been depicted by Shakspere with a terrible power, which the soberer statement of the
chronicler will not obhterate. There is little doubt the death of the Duke of Gloucester was
accomplished by secret murder. Hall, on the authority of Beaufort's chaplain, says, " the queen,
minding to preserve her husband in honour, and herself in authority, procured and consented to
the death of this noble man, whose only death brought to pass that thing which she would most
fain have eschewed, and took from her that jewel which she most desired ; for if this duke had
lived, the Duke of York durst not have made title to the crown ; if this duke had lived, the nobles
had not conspired against the king, nor yet the commons had not rebelled; if this duke had
lived, the house of Lancaster had not been defaced and destroyed, which things happened all
contrary by the destruction of this good man."
About this time two Lancashire knights at the head of the principal families m the county
were actively engaged in the delusive science of alchemy, and _ transmutation of metals — that
ignis fatuus which has conducted so many ingenious men to their ruin. The king, who was m
serious straits for money, and credulous enough to believe that by this means he could rid himselt
of the debts by which he was encumbered, had on a former occasion commissioned three philosophers
to make the precious metals, without receiving any return from them in gold and silver : his
credulity, however, like that of many wiser men, Avas unshaken by disappointment, and he issued
a pompous grant in favour of three other alchemists, who boasted that they could not onLy
transmute the inferior metals into gold and silver, but that they could also impart to man perpetual
youth, with unimpaired powers of mind and body, by means of a specific called " The Mother
and Queen of Medicines— The inestimable Glory— The Quintessence, or the Elixir of Lite. in
favour of these three " lovers of truth and haters of deception," as they modestly styled themselves,
Henry dispensed with the Act passed by his royal grandfather,' a very unnecessary Act against
the undue multiplication of gold and silver, and the only one, it is said, which has never been
' Sir was the customary prefix to the name of a beneficed ••" Shakspere, Hennj VI. part li. act i. scene i.
' WUhelmi'Wyrcestril Annales Rerum AngUcarum, pp. 460, 481. * 6 Henry IV. c. 4. (1404).
176 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xi.
violated — and empowered, not enabled, them to transmute the inferior into precious metals. This
extraordinary commission had the sanction of Parliament, and two out of the three commissioners
were Sir Thomas Ashton of Ashton-under-Lyne, and Sir Edmund Trafford of Trafford ; the latter
of whom had assisted at the coronation of the king, and received the honour of Knight of the Bath
on that occasion. These sages, imposing probably upon themselves as well as upon others,
kept the king's expectations wound up to the highest pitch, and he actually informed his people
that the hour was approaching when, by the means of the stone, he should be enabled to pay off
all his debts ! It is scarcely necessary to add that this philosopher's stone never gave forth its
expected virtues, and the king's debts must have remained unpaid had not his Majesty pawned
the revenue of the duchy of Lancaster to satisfy the demands of his clamorous creditors. A patent
for transmuting the inferior metals into gold and silver was granted by the king to these two
Lancashire alchemists in the 24th year of his reign (7th April, 1446), in which they were encouraged
to prosecute their experiments, and by which all the king's servants and subjects were interdicted
from giving them any molestation.^ As this document, which was found by Fuller, the historian,
in the Tower, throAvs considerable light on the weakness and credulity of the age, and the belief in
a qiMsi science that is now from the nature of things only an obsolete and forgotten lore, we give
the translation : —
"The KiDg to all unto whom, &o., greeting, — Know ye, that whereas our helovecl and loyal Edmund de Trafford, Knight, and
Thomaa Ashton, Knight, have, by a certain petition shown unto us, set forth that although they were wilhng by the art or science
of philosophy to work upon certain metals, to translate (transmute) imperfect metals from their own kind, and then to
transubstantiate them by their said art or science, as they say, into perfect gold or silver, unto all manner of proofs and trials, to
be expected and endured as any gold or silver growing in any mine ; notwithstanding certain persons ill-wiUing and maligning them,
conceiving them to work by unlawful art, and so may hinder and disturb them in the trial of the said art and science. We,
considering the premises, and willing to know the conclusion, of the said work or science, of our special grace have granted and
given leave to the same Edmund and Thomas, and to their servants, that they may work and try the aforesaid art and science
lawfully and freely, without any hindrance of ours, or of our ofl&cers, whatsoever ; any statute, act, ordinance, or provision made,
ordained, or provided to the contrary notwithstanding. In witness whereof, &c., the King at Westminster, the 7th day of April."
The madness of party rage rendered the government of England indifferent to the retention of
foreign possessions; and the whole province of Bayonne, which had been obtained three centuries
before, at the price of so much blood and treasure, was ceded to France, with as little ceremony as
in modern times a gold snuff-box would be presented to a plenipotentiary. The indifference of the
court was not shared by the people. They beheld this curtailment of their ancient possessions with
that disgust which it was so well calculated to excite. The embers of discontent were easily blown
into a flame by Richard, Duke of York — the representative of two sons of Edward III., Lionel and
Edmund — and his adherents. And the Duke of Suffolk, the favourite of the king, and the reputed
paramour of the queen, after having been impeached (March 17, 1450) on a charge of ceding the
province of the Maine to Charles of Anjou without authority, and surrendering the province of
Bayonne without a struggle, was banished the kingdom for five years. To prevent the duke, whose
friends were numerous and powerful, frona ever again resuming the helm of state, he was seized by
a band of pirates, employed by his enemies, on his voyage from Ipswich to Calais, and his head
struck off and thrown into the sea.'' The popular insurrection of Jack Cade was a part of the same
system of hostility towards the house of Lancaster; and the Duke of York at length openly
advanced his claims to that sceptre which the feeble representative of the house of Lancaster was
unable to wield.
The seeds of this contest, though apparently sown in the time of King Edward III., may, in
fact, be traced back to the time of Henry III., who died a century before, leaving two sons,
Edward I. and Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Lancaster, the founder of that house, whose inheritance
afterwards, in a fourth descent, fell on Blanche, married to John of Gaunt, the fourth son of
Edward III., who, in right of his wife, was Duke of Lancaster ; and whose son, Henry of Bolingbroke,
afterwards Henry IV., dethroned Richard II., pretending, amongst other things, that Edmund
Crouchback was the elder son of Hemy III., and unjustly set aside from the crown because he was
crook-backed. The crown remained, as we have seen, in the house of Lancaster for three descents,
when Richard, Duke of York, descended from Edmund Langley, younger brother of John of Gaunt,
made claim to the crown, by title of his grandmother, who was heir of Lionel, Duke of Clarence,
elder brother of John of Gaunt. The pedigrees of these rival claimants have at all times formed
matter of discussion m English liistory, though some of our ablest historians, Mr. Hume among
I t""*!.^' T^'l™' ^T ■ n /I <.i •■ ^ . S™*' ^'I'P 'nto the boat, and there was an axe and a stock, and one o£
t. .. . S, ™^ Lettors (letter xxvn.) a very circumstantial account the lewdest (meanest) ol the ahip bade him lay down his head, and ho
frn'S, f'i^''^ TiT'^ «.?' J M** ™'°w,,""*t£ nob eman in a letter written should bo fairly ferd (dealt) with, and die on a sword i and took a rusty
N?Z^ t^ ""^ *?" ^'^ f ^f ^- ^?,!'J, w','^'"'° ™" *''''™ ™ ^""'^■^ *l^o «™'-'i a-^d ^^°i^ °ff l5;is head within half-a-dozen Btrokesrand took away
Nicholas, the master saluted him with Welcome, traitor." He was then his gown of russet, and his doublet of velvet mailed, and laid his body on
fnn„T?n,m,r I -1? °".««ir manner, upon the impeachments, and the sands of Dover; and some say his head was set upon a pole by
found guilty, and in the sight of all Ins mon he was drawn out of the it."— C.
CHAP. XI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
177
them, have fallen into some errors on the subject ; this is the more to be wondered at as the
descents are exhibited with great clearness and perspicuity in the Rolls of Parliament 1 Edward IV
(1461), No. 8. '
Upon this ground the Duke of York founded his claim, by succession, to the throne of Endand
and was supported by a number of the most powerful nobles of the land. Amongst his partisans'
the duke had the fortune to number the Earl of Warwick, a man of unbounded influence combined
with great decision of character, and whose future achievements in this memorable quarrel obtained
for him the name of the " kmg-maker." The duke's first demand was for a reform of abuses in
the administration ot public affairs.- An alarming disease by which the king was attacked at this
juncture, and which totally incapacitated him from taking any share in the government of which he
had long been only the nominal head, suggested the necessity of a regency ; and the Duke of York
by the authority ot Parliament, though in contravention of the wishes of the queen, who desired to
have the whole rule of the land, to appoint all the officers of the government, and to fill up all the
benefices of the church, was appointed regent (February li, 1453), under the designation of
" Protector and Defender of the realm of kingdom."
On the recovery of the king (February, 145.5), the Duke of York was expelled from the
regency, but his thirst for regal power, combined with a consciousness of the legitimacy of his
hereditary claims,^ fixed his wavering purpose. Having levied an army in the north, the duke
marched to St. Albans, where the first battle between the houses of York and Lancaster took
place. In this battle, which was fought on the 22nd of May, 1455, the Lancastrians suffered a
severe defeat, and about five thousand of their troops remained dead upon the field, amongst whom
were the Duke of Somerset, the Duke of Buckingham, the Earls of Northumberland and Stafford,
Lord Clifford, and a number of other persons of distinction. The king himself fell into the hands
of the Duke of York, who, with the sanction of Parliament, assumed the power of governing the
state but rather in the capacity of regent than of sovereign.
The blood spilt in the battle of St. Albans was the first that flowed in that fatal contest —
"the convulsive and bleeding agony of the feudal power," as Barante calls it.° — which was
not terminated in less than thirty years — which was signalised by thirteen pitched battles, and
in which the nobility of the land suffered more than any other order in the state. The people,
divided in their affections or led by their superiors, took different symbols of party ; the
partisans of the house of Lancaster chose the Red Rose as their badge, while those of York took the
White Rose as their mark of distinction ; and the civil wars were known over Europe by the name
of the quarrel between the two roses. In addition to the red rose the house of Lancaster exhibited
on state occasions a mound or sphere with the Lancaster arms emblazed in the upper part of the
circle ; they had also a feather and scroll worn in the hats of the more elevated classes, and broom-
pods by those of the inferior orders. The paper manufactured for their use in their communications
with each other, and for their public documents, bore a peculiar water-mark, and it was only
necessary to look through the sheet on which the Lancastrians wrote to discover which side of the
quarrel the writers had espoused.'
The affairs of the conflicting parties had not yet proceeded to the last extremity ; the nation
was kept some time in suspense ; the vigour and spirit of Queen Margaret, supporting her small
power, stUl proved a balance to the great authority of Richard, which was impaired by his ill-defined
objects, sometimes aspiring to the immediate and at other times to the reversionary possession of
the crown on the death of the present king. The Parliament again appointed the Duke of York
protector (November 19th, 1455), owing to one of those relapses into mental indisposition to which
Henry was subject; but the queen soon produced her husband before the House of Lords, where he
declared his intention to put an end to the protectorate and to resume the government. The
Archbishop of Canterbury, in the discharge of his duty as a Christian prelate, endeavoured to
mediate in the differences between the two houses, and thus to prevent the further effusion of
blood ; but though these attempts were received by hoih parties with an appearance of cordiality,
and though the Duke of York passed in procession through the streets of London, hand in hand
with Queen Margaret, to the altar of St. Paul's (March 25th, 1458), on which the existing
animosities were all to be sacrificed, it soon became evident that the reconciliation was of the most
transient kind, and a trifling difference between one of the king's retinue and another of the Earl
of Warwick's, which, on the 9th of September in the same year, brought on a combat between
their respective partisans, blew it all into air.
The Duke of York, having joined his sons at Ludlow Castle, was silently collecting forces to
' The position of York as heir presumptive to the crown had ceased slander and obloquy of the common people saying that he was not the
with the birth of a son to Henry in the month of October, 145S, "whose natural son of King Henry, but changed in the cradle. — C.
noble mother " as Fabyan affirms (p. 628. Ed. 1811), sustained not a little ' Revue Frangaise, March, 1829.— C.
' 3 por representations of these badges and emblems see page 178.
24
178
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIKE.
CHAP. XI.
maintain his claims, when the Earl of Salisbury, who had mustered a force of nearly four thousand
men at his Castle at Middleham, in Yorkshire, marched southward, advancing through Craven to
Manchester, where their numbers were augmented by the addition of a thousand men from the
Duke of York's Yorkshire estates, and thence by way of Congleton and Newcastle-under-Lyme to
the neighbourhood of Market Drayton. While on his march to join the duke, Salisbury was over-
taken at Bloreheath, on the borders of Staffordshire and Shropshire, by Lord Audley, at the head
of a superior force of the Lancastrians, which he had raised in Cheshire and the parts adjacent,
where the Lancastrian interest prevailed. The battle, which was fought on the 23rd of September
BADGES OF THE HOUSE OP LANCASTER.
Wastran?LV?i7Z'''''^' ^""^ T'°7 ^} ^'"^^^ ^''^^''^ ^^ fo^^^^^' «f the Yorkists, and the
SncLSre Ld keThiS hundred men dead on the field, many of whom w^re from
intention to exnel the SplnfTr. The Duke of York had now openly declared his
for the crown ^AfLr t^Si^v c '^tiT^TfV ^"^''"^ '^'' Z''. '^' -^"^ "^'^'^ ^^'''''^'y ^'^S^'
Ludlow which he succeeded ?n I- ? ?.u^ Salisbury marched to jom the Duke of York at
Yorkl^s on the 13th of Optobp>- T^' q"' ?'.^''<' ^^^ '^^^''^^^^^ ^'^Pi^ly ^^^ encountered the
lorKists on tne 13th ot October, when Sir Andrew Trollops, who was really attached to the house
CHAP. XI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 179
of Lancaster, deserted to the king with the troops under his command ; others, induced by a
proclamation of pardon, followed his example, when the Duke of York, struck with consternation,
disbanded his army and fled through Wales into Ireland.
The list of proscriptions which followed, the battle of Bloreheath sufficiently indicates that
the men of Lancashire were by no means unanimous in their support of the house of Lancaster.
Long and undisturbed possession, as well as a distinctly legal title by a free vote of Parliament,
was in favour of the house of Lancaster, but the persecutions of the Lollards, the disfranchisement
of the voter, the interference with elections, the odium of the war, the shame of the long
misgovernment, told fatally against the weak and imbecile king, whose reign had been a long
battle of contending factions.^ A kind of packed Parliament having assembled at Coventry, six
weeks after the battle was fought, attainders were exhibited against Richard, Duke of York, and his
adherents, and amongst tbe persons attainted of high treason for the part they took at Bloreheath,
we find the names of Thomas Nevill, John Nevill, Thomas Haryngton, Thomas Parre, and William
Stanley, to which list was added the name of Robert Boulde, the brother of Harry Boulde, Knight,
accused with others of having industriously circulated a report that the king was dead. It further
appears that the Commons House of Parliament charged Thomas, the second Lord Stanley, with
certain heavy oftences, both of omission and commission, as set forth in a declaration to the
following efi'ect : — "
" That wlien Lord Stanley was required by the king to join him with such forces as he could collect, he came not ; but his
brother, Sir William Stanley, with many of the lord's servants and tenants, joined the Earl of Salisbury, and were with him at
Bloreheath. That when Edward Prince of Wales summoned Lord Stanley to come to him in all haste, his lordship delayed,
saying he was not ready, though he had been commanded to hold himself ready with his troops at a day's warning ; such delay
and absence being a great cause of the loss (of the Lancastrians) at Bloreheath. That Lord Stanley was within six miles of the
place, accompanied by 2,000 men, and stayed three days after at Newcastle, but six miles from Eccleshall, where the queen and
Prince of Wales were. That the morning after the battle he sent a letter of excuse for not going to them, as required. That Lord
Stanley, after the battle, in a letter, thanked God for the success of the Earl of Salisbury, and trusted that he should be with the
earl in another place, to stand him in as good stead as if he had been with him there. 'That when the prince, in obedience to the
king, sent for Lord Stanley's tenants in the hundreds of Wirrall and Macclesfield, Cheshire, they were let [hindered] by Lord
Stanley, so that they could not come. That a cook of Lord Stanley, in Sir Wilham Stanley's troops, being wounded at Bloreheath,
and left behind at Drayton, declared to divers gentlemen that he was sent to the Earl of Salisbury, in the name of Lord Stanley,
with more of his fellowship. That various persons wearing the livery of Lord Stanley were taken at the forest of Morff, Shropshire,
and before death confessed that they were sent by Lord Sianley to attend on Sir William, to assist the Earl of Salisbury. To the
prayer of the commons that the king would have Lord Stanley committed to prison, to abide trial, the king returned a refusal in
the courtly terms of ' Le Roi s'avisera.' "
Throughout this bitter struggle Lord Stanley pursued a course of watchful^ dexterity,
remaining neutral when neutrality was deemed the safer policy, and casting in his lot with
whichever side, at the moment, had the prospect of victory. He had married Eleanor, daughter of
Richard Nevill, Earl of Salisbury, who' commanded the Yorkists at Bloreheath, and the sister of
Warwick—" the king-maker " — an alliance that naturally brought him under the suspicion of the
Lancastrians. When, after the battle, he wrote to the victorious Salisbury, "thanking God for
the good speed of the said earl," it Avas natural, to his father-in-law, but when he added that he
" trusted to God he should be with the earl in other places, to stand him in as good stead as he
should have done if he had been with him (at Bloreheath)," it was treason. There is reason to
believe he had given the earl private assurance of his sympathy, and that he had, moreover,
encouraged his tenants to serve under his brother William, who had "plucked the pale and
maiden blossom " and declared himself upon the White Rose side. It is remarkable that, although
the battles fought between the houses of York and Lancaster for the crown were so numerous, the
county of Lancaster was not the scene of any one of these contests, neither Lancastrian nor
Yorkist, as it would seem, caring to make an enemy of the head of the powerful house of Stanley,
whom the people would always follow, and hence the peaceable inhabitants of this county escaped
many of the horrors that intestine wars never fail to inflict in the immediate scene of their
operation. The contamination of public morals was, however, felt here, as well as m other parts of
the kingdom. According to a solemn declaration of Parliament, the complaints upon this subject
were loudly made throughout every part of the kingdom, of robberies, ravishments, extortions,
oppressions, riots, unlawful assemblies, and wrongful imprisonments. To aggravate these evils the
offenders were aided and abetted by persons of station in the country, whose badges or liveries
they wore and by whom the administration of justice was continually interrupted. _ Amongst the
most notorious of the offenders five-and-twenty are mentioned by name, and m this list we Imd
"Robertus Pylkyngton, nuper de Bury in Com. Lane', Armiger" ' (the only Lancashire name), and
other persons of equal respectability. These flagitious outrages originated with the civil wars, the
« J. E. Green (History of the English Pcopk, p. 2T8).-C. ' Rot. Pari. 38 Hen. VI. (1459), vol. v. p. 369.
•■' Rot. Pari. 3S Henry VI. (1459), vol. v. p. 868.
180 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xi.
greatest of all national curses, and continued till those wars were at an end, when the laws resumed
their dominion.
The defection of the large body of veteran troops brought over from Calais by the Earl of
Warwick, which deserted to the royal standard along with their commander, Sir Andrew Trollop,
seemed for a time to extinguish the hopes of the Yorkists ; but they speedily recovered, and, led
by the Earl of Warwick, encountered the king's forces near Northampton. Here a desperate and
sanguinary conflict took place (July 10, 1460), which resulted in the Lancastrians being utterly
routed, owing to the treachery of Lord Grey of Ruthin, who commanded King Henry's van, and
who deserted to the enemy. The loss on both sides amounted to ten thousand men, comprehending
a large proportion of the nobility and gentry, against whom the Earl of Warwick and the Earl of
March principally directed their hostility. Queen Margaret and her son escaped, but the unhappy
Henry was found in his tent almost alone ; the victorious earls, who treated him with great respect,
carried him first to Northampton and then to London, where, on the 16th July, he was lodged in
the bishop's palace.'
In the session of Parliament which followed, a kind of compromise of the conflicting claims
was adopted, under the sanction of the legislature, by which Henry, who had been taken prisoner
at the battle of Northampton, was to enjoy the crown of England and the duchy of Lancaster for
life, but at his death they were to descend to the Duke of York, or to his heirs in perpetuity. The
queen could ill brook an arrangement by which the title of her only son to the crown of England
was extinguished. To support this title, she collected a numerous army from the counties of
Lancaster and Chester, and took up her station in the neighbourhood of Wakefield, in the county
of York. No sooner had the Duke of York heard of this formidable array of hostile troops than he
marched to the north, and took possession of Sandal Castle. Conceiving that his courage would be
compromised if he refused to meet a woman in battle, he quitted his strong station and advanced
into the plain, where the queen, aided by Lord Cliflbrd, had the skill to place his troops between
two fires ; and though the duke performed prodigies of valour, his army was completely routed,
and he himself was numbered amongst the slain (Dec. 31st, 1460). The Queen, proud of such a
trophy, ordered the duke's head to be struck off and placed upon the gates of York, adorned with
a paper crown to indicate the frailty of his claims —
" Off with his head, and set it on York gates ;
So York may overlook the town of York."
An unfeminine speech, that did not cause her much feeling of remorse, for afterwards, when gazing
upon the terrible spectacle as she entered the city, she is represented as exclaiming to Henry —
" Welcome, my lord, to this brave town of York :
Yonder's the head of that arch enemy.
Does not the object cheer your heart, my lord ?"
Lord Clifford — the "black-faced Clifford," as he has been called— still more sanguinary than his
royal mistress, plunged his sword, after the battle was over, into the breast of the Earl of Rutland,
the duke's youngest son, in revenge, as he alleged, for the death of his faiher, who fell in the battle
of St. Alban's, while fighting against the Yorkists. From this time the scabbard was cast aside,
and the Earl of March, now become Duke of York, determined to avenge the death of his father
and brother, and to obtain the crown, or to perish in the attempt. The battle of Mortimer's Cross,
fought on the second of February, 1461, with the loss of four thousand men to the Lancastrians,
seemed to open the way to the gratification of young Edward's ambition ; but the second battle of
St. Albans,' fought thirteen days afterwards (Feb. 17, 1461), in which Margaret, attended by the
kmg, held the command, and in which the Earl of Warwick was worsted, changed the aspect of
these ever- varying campaigns, though it did not prevent Edward from marching to London and
takmg possession of the throne. Although Henry VI. was dethroned, and Edward IV. seated in
his place, the civil wars were by no means at an end. Margaret, having returned to her favourite
county of York, assembled an army of sixty thousand men ; 'and King Edward, with his celebrated
general, the Earl of Warwick, hastened into that county with forty thousand, to give her battle.
The hostile armies met at Towton, near Tadcaster, on Palm Sunday (March 29/l461). In this
memorable battle, while the Yorkists were advancing to the charge, there happened a heavy fall
of snow, accompanied by wind, which drove full in the faces of the Lancastrians. Lord Falconberg,
who led the van of Edward's army, improved this event by a stratagem ; he ordered a body of
infantry to advance before the line, and, after having sent a volley or flight of arrows among the
enemy, immediately to retire. The Lancastrians, imagining that they had got within reach of the
opposite army, discharged all their arrows, which fell short of the Yorkists. After their quivers
■ HaU fo. 91. Stow, p. 40P.— C. j Tj^^ second battle of St. Albans was fought at Barnard's Heath, on the
high ground a mile north of the town. — C.
CHAP. XI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
181
were emptied, Ed^rard advanced his line, and did execution with impunity on the dismayed
Lancastrians. The bow was, however soon hiid aside, and the sword decided the combat, which
ended m the total overthrow of King Henry's forces. Edward had issued orders, before the battle
to give no cLuarter, and the routed army was pursued with dreadful slaughter. The flvinff troops
shaped their course to Tadcaster bridge, but, despairing of reaching it, they turned aside to a place
where the Cock, a small rivulet, discharges itself into the Wharfe. This was done with so much
hurry and confusion that the bed ot the river was soon filled with dead bodies, which served as a
bridge for the pursuers and the pursued to pass over. The slaughter at this point was tremendous
According to the historians of the period, thirty-six thousand seven hundred men fell in the battle
and pursuit, and the waters of the Wharfe were deeply crimsoned with the blood of the victims The
heralds who numbered the dead upon the field state the number of slain at twenty-eio-ht thousand
and under the sign-manual of King Edward they give the folloAving: If the battle at Wakefield
Green had been disastrous to the House of York, it proved no less disastrous to the Lancastrians
for the cruelties perpetrated by the black-faced Clifford were repaid with tenfold vengeance at
Towton. The carnage in that terrible conflict was appalling, and if the statements of contemporary
writers may be accepted, the blood stood in puddles, and stagnated in the gutters for weeks
afterwards. Well might Warwick, dealing out a poetic justice, then say to the victorious Edward—
" Fnim off the gates of York fetch down the head —
Your father's head, which Chfford placed there ;
Instead whereof let this supply the room,
Measure for measure must be answered."
LIST OF THE NOBLEMEN AND KNIGHTS SLAIN IN THE BATTLE OF TOWTON.
NOBLEMEN. Richard Welles, Lord Willoughby.
Henry Percy, Earl of Northumberland. Sir Ralph Bigot, Knight, Lord de Malley.
Thomas Courtney, Earl of Devonshire.
William Beaumont, Viscount Beaumont. knights.
John Clifford, Lord Clifford. Sir Ralph Gray.
John Neville, Lord Neville. Sir Richard Jeney.
Randulf, Lord Dacre. Sir Harry Bellingham.
Lord Henry Stafford, of Buckingham. Sir Andrew Trollop.
Lionel Welles, Lord Welles. With twent-eight thousand numbered by the
Anthony Rivers, Lord Scales. Heralds.
The Parliament, which met on the 4th of November, 1461, employed itself in the usual work
of proscription, and " Henry of Derbie, otherwise Duke of Lancaster, and the heirs of his body
coming, were utterly disabled from enjoying any inheritance, estate, or profits, within this realm
or dominions of the same for ever." A number of noblemen and gentlemen were attainted for the
vague ofience of being present at the death of the Duke of York, slain in the battle of Wakefield,
amongst whom were Richard Tunstall, Henry Bellingham, and Robert Whittingham, knights. By
the same Parliament it was enacted that the attainder of Henry VI. should subject him to the
forfeiture of all the lands and possessions belonging to the duchy and county palatine of Lancaster ;
and that King Edward and his queen should enjoy the duchy and liberties to the same belonging,
separate from the crown ; and that the tenants of the said duchy and county should enjoy all their
liberties and franchises unimpaired. The battle of Towton Field seemed decisive of the wars
between the houses of York and Lancaster. Henry escaped into Scotland, while his more
fortunate rival repaired to London to meet his Parliament, by which his title was recognised, and he
was declared king by right from the death of his father. Margaret, whose spirit and perseverance
remained unsubdued, sailed for France, to supplicate the French monarch to grant her forces for
the purpose of reasserting the claims of her house. With this request Louis so far complied as to
place at her disposal two thousand troops, with which she embarked for England. For a time she
retired into Scotland, but having resolved on making an effort to recover the crown, she,
accompanied by her husband and son, crossed the Border about the middle of April, and marched
to Hexham, where she was joined by a number of volunteers from Scotland, and from Lancashire
and the other northern counties of England ; an engagement took place there, on a plain called the
Levels, on the 15th May, 1464,^ between the queen's troops and the Yorkists, now become the royal
army, under Montacute, which issued in the total defeat of the Lancastrians, and the capture of
the Duke of Somerset and Lords Roos and Hungerford, who were all three tried by a court-martial,
convicted of high treason, and immediately beheaded. In that decisive battle the fortunes of the
House of Lancaster sank to the lowest point of hopelessness, as if " never to rise again." " The fate
of the unfortunate royal family of the Lancastrian house after this defeat,' says Mr. Hume, "was
^ In February, 1464, the Parliament was prorogued in consequence and Cheshire were up to the number of ten thousand or more; but now
of the commotions in various counties. On the Ist March, John Paston they be down again; and one or two of tliem was (be)hcaded in Chester
Writes to his father (Paston Letter ccxxx.), *'The commons in Lancashire as on Saturday last past." — C.
182 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xi.
bino-ular. Maro-aret flying with her son into a forest, dwelt sometime concealed there, and was at
last conducted to the sea-coast, when she made her escape into Flanders. She passed thence into
her father's court, where she lived several years in privacy and retirement. Her husband was not
so fortunate or so dexterous in finding the means of escape. Some of his friends took him under
their protection, and conveyed him into Lancashire, where he remained concealed during a twelve
month ; but he Avas at last detected, delivered up to Edward, and thrown into the Tower." The
place of his concealment was Waddington Hall, in the parish of Mitton Magna, in the north-
eastern part of the county ; and the person by whom he was betrayed was Sir John Talbot,_ who,
as a reward for his perfidy, or, as the grant terms it, " in consideration of his good and faithful
service in the capture of our great adversary," &c., received a grant of twenty marks (£13 6s. 8d.)
a year from Edward IV., confirmed to his son by his successor Richard III. (26th JunO; 1484), and
made payable out of the issues and revenues of the county palatine of Lancaster. In addition to
defraying their costs and charges, Sir Thomas Talbot, who was the principle in the apprehension,
received^the sum of £100, and a yearly pension of £40, which was confirmed to him by the next
and last Yorkist sovereign, Richard III. ; ' and Sir John Tempest and Sir James Harrington each
received one hundred marks (£66 13s. 4d.). Sir James Harrington also received a grant of
Thurland Castle, and other estates from Edward, " not only for his good and gratifying services,
often performed, but especially for his great and laborious diligence about the taking and keeping
of the great traitor, our rebel and enemy, Henry, lately called Henry VI."
Considering himself now securely seated on the throne, Edward surrendered himself up to
those voluptuous pleasures to which he was naturally so much inclined. His vices did not prevent
him from meditating a marriage with Bona, the sister to the Queen of France, and Warwick was
sent to negotiate the alliance. While the earl was engaged in this mission, Edward became
enamoured of Elizabeth Wydville, the widow of Sir John Grey, Lord Ferrers, of Groby, whose
husband fell in the second battle of St. Albans, while engaged on the side of the house of
Lancaster. Finding that the only way to the lady's chamber Avas through the church he was
privately married to her ; and hence the remark " that he married his wife because she would not
become his mistress, and took the wife of another man (Shore) as his mistress." Warwick could
not brook this insult. He complained loudly of the king's condvict towards him, and associated
himself with such malcontents as seemed disposed to question and to overthrow the king's authority.
The earl being ioined by the Duke of Clarence, they collected a number of their adherents,
and marched into Lancashire, where they importuned Lord Stanley, who had married Eleanor, the
Earl of Warwick's sister, to embrace their cause. To this application Lord Stanley, who was at
the time negotiating a marriage between his eldest son and the daughter of the new queen's sister,
though strongly urged by his brother-in-law Warwick, who visited him at Manchester for the
purpose, was too astute to compromise himself with either faction, returned a peremptory refusal to
strike a blow for king or king-maker, and the project of rising in arms to displace his royal master
was for the present abandoned by the Earl of Warwick. The " king-maker " was, however, of a
spirit too intrepid to be diverted from his purpose by a disappointment of this nature. In the
month of September, 1470, the attempt was renewed, and the earl and the duke, availing
themselves of the zeal of the Lancastrian party, and of the general discontent which Edward's
extravagance and imprudence had excited, raised the standard of revolt in the centre of the
kingdom, supported by an army of 60,000 men. Edward hastened to encounter this formidable
enemy, and the two armies approached each other near Nottingham. On the eve of the battle
Edward was surprised in the night by the cry of " War !" when, supposing that all was lost, he fled
into Norfolk, by the advice of his chamberlain, and from thence escaped with difficulty to Holland.
As a natural consequence of this royal panic and temporary abdication, Henry VI. was released
from his confinement, and again seated on his precarious throne, under the auspices of Clarence
and Warwiclc, who did not fail to vest all the regal power in their own hands as regents. When
Edward had been driven into exile. Lord Stanley abandoned his neutrality, and accompanied the
Bishop of Winchester to release the captive Henry from his keepers in the Tower, and convey him
" with great pomp, and appareled in a long gown of blue velvet," through the streets of London to
the Palace of Westminster, when he was restored to the crown. The 'adherents of the House of
York followed the king's example, and his queen, who had just been delivered of Prince Edward,
> Waddington Hall, now a dilapidated farmhouse, but retaining John Talbott his cosyno of Colebery (Saleabury), withe other moo ; whiche
traces of antiquity, was an occasional residence of the Tempests, but diaseyvide (7 disory vide i.e., descried) beyngo at his dynore at Wadyngtone
Bracewell, their chief abode, Whalley Abbey, and Bolton, as well as Hall, and oaryed to Londoue on horse bake, and his lege bownde to tUo
Waadington occasionally afforded Henry an asylum while a fugitive in styrope, and so brought through Londone to the Toure, where he was kept
this part of the country. Of the capture of the poor king the Warkworth long time." Mr. HalUwoU, who edited the Chronicle for the Camden Society,
Chronicle gives the foUowing account : " Also the same year (1465) Kingo referring to the "blacke monke," says "the name of the rascal" wss
Henry was taken bysyde a house of rehgione in Lancashyre (Whalley), by William Cantlow. The Thomas Talbot, who was a principal in the capture
the inene of a blacke monke of Abyntone, in a wode called CUtherwode, of Henry, was son-in-law of Sii- John Tempest. -C.
bysyde Bungarley Hyppynge stones by Thomas Talbott, of Bashall and
CHAP. XI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIEE.
183
was amongst the fugitives. Queen Margaret, who was still abroad, received the intellio'ence of the
improved prospects of her house with rapture ; but before the winds, inconstant as her own fortune
could waft her to the shores of England, the sun of the house of Lancaster had set, never more to
rise in her family.
A supply of two thousand troops having been granted by the Duke of Burgundy to Edward he
returned to England, and disembarked, as Henry of Bolingbroke, Earl of Derby and Duke of Lancaster
had done at Ravenspur, in Yorkshire (on the 16th March, 1471), declaring, as that duke had done'
that his object was not to challenge the throne but merely to obtain his paternal inheritance. By
one of those unaccountable anomalies, which the absence of records and the vagueness of contem-
porary history disqualify us from explaining, Edward was allowed by the regents to present himself,
without molestation, in considerable force before the gates of London, into which he was admitted
without a struggle, and to reascend the throne, Henry having very peaceably retired to the Tower.
The battle of Barnet, fought April 14, 1471, three days after the entrance of Edward into London^
in which he comrnanded in person, terminated fatally for the house of Lancaster ; and Warwick
himself, after having performed prodigies of valour as a foot-soldier, when he ought to have been
directing the operations of his army as a general, was numbered amongst the slain. Queen Margaret
reached the shores of England, accompanied by her son Edward, now eighteen years of age, just in
time to hear of the death of Warwick and the defeat of his army. This lion-hearted woman
seemed now to bow to her fate, and sought the privilege of sanctuary ; but being urged by Tudor,
Earl of Pembroke, and others of the adherents of her house, to make another effort for the throne,
she marched through Devon, Somerset, and Gloucester, to Tewkesbury, daily accumulating fresh
forces on her route ; here she was overtaken by King Edward, April 19th, 1471, and after a
sanguinary battle overthrown. The queen fell into the hands of the victors ; her boy fell on the
field, stabbed, as was affirmed, by the Yorkist lords, after Edward had met his cry for mercy by a
buffet from his gauntlet ; and to consummate the disasters to the royal house of Lancaster, Henry
VI. died suddenly a few days after in the Tower, to which place Margaret was committed as a state
prisoner, and after remaining six years in confinement, she was ransomed by Louis, King of France,
at the price of fifty thousand crowns. The queen survived her captivity four years, having spent
the evening of her life in solitude and exile. The reign of Edward, after the overthrow of the
house of Lancaster, presents no subjects connected with the history of this county, with the
exception of a fruitless expedition into France to regain the lost conquests of England, in which
Lord Stanley and several Lancashire knights were engaged, but which terminated in nothing better
than an ostentatious display of military strength.
A copy of the will of Edward IV., made by Rymer, is deposited in the Rolls Chapel,^ by which
document the king directs "that all the revenues, issues, profits, and commodities, commyng and
growing of oure countie palatine of Lancastre, and of alle our castelles, lordshippes, manoirs, lands,
tenements, rents, and services in the countie palatine and shire of Lancastre, parcell of oure said
duchie of Lancastre, with their membres and appurtenances," &c., shall be applied " towards the
marriages of our doughtres." This will is of considerable length, and bears date the 20th June,
1475.
In the last year of the reign of Edward IV. (1482) a petition was presented to Parliament
which had been promoted in the south-eastern part of Lancashire, where the manufacture of hats
has prevailed for many ages to a great extent. This document serves to date, with tolerable
accuracy, the period when alarms from the consequences of improved machinery first began to
manifest themselves in this county. The allegations of the petition are in these terms : —
" Peayen youre Highnes the Comons of this present Parliament assembled. That whereas Huers,'' Bonettes, and Cappes,
aswele sengle as double, were wonte truly to be made, wrought, fulled and thikked by the myght and strength of men, that is to
say, with hande and fote ; and they that have so made, wrought, fulled and thikked such Huers, Bonettes, and Cappes, have well
and honestly afore thys goten their lyvyng therby, and therupon kept apprentices, servauntes, and good housholdes. It is so, that
ther is a subtile mean founde now of late, by reason of a FuUyng Mille, whereby mo Cappes may be fulled and thikked in one day,
than by the myght and strengthe of four-score men by hand and fote may be fulled and thikked in the same day : The which
Huers, Bonettes, and Cappes, so as it is aforesaid by the said Milles fulled and thikked, ben brosed, broken and deceyvably wrought,
and may in no wise by the mean of eny Mille be truly made, to the grete hurt of your seid Highnesse, and of all your subjetts
which daily use and ocoupie the same, and to the utter undoyng of suche your subjettes, as ben the makers of the same Huers,
Bonettes, and Cappes, and wolde and entende to lyve by the true making of the same ; withoute youre most gracious helpe be
shewed to theim in this behalf."
The petitioners conclude with a prayer that Parliament will interdict, for two years at least,
the use of these fulling-mills ; to which the reply is—" Le Roy le voet " (The King wills it)
The intrigues of the court which followed on the death of Edward IV. were unbounded. Ihe
ancient nobility, with the Duke of Gloucester as protector at their head, opposed by every means
1 Excerpta Historica, p. 366. ^ Huers or piUions were a head-covering of cloth worn by priests and graduates.— H.
184 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xi.
in their power the relations of the queen, who were considered as aspiring upstarts ; and Earl
Rivers, her brother. Sir Richard Grey, one of her sons, and Sir Thomas Vaughan, an officer in the
kino-'s household, were, by the authority of the duke, committed to Pontefract Castle — the same
Pontefract where, before, Thomas, Earl of Lancaster, had been beheaded, and within whose Avails
Richard II. had fallen beneath the murderous battle-axe of Piers Exton — for " setting variances
amongst the states, to subdue and destroy the noble blood of the realm ; " on which vague charge
all three, without being brought to legal trial, were executed by Gloucester's order. Their real
offence, however, consisted in standing in the way of the duke's assumption of the crown, and no
quantity of blood was thought too large to be shed for the purpose of removing the impediments to
his elevation. Lord-chamberlain Hastings shared the same fate, for venturing to doubt whether
the protector's arm, which had been withered from his birth, was diseased by the sorceries of his
queen-sister and Shore's wife. Lord Stanley escaped with difficulty, but not without a severe
contusion, a murderous blow being levelled at his head by the ruffians introduced into the council-
chamber in the Tower, at Gloucester's bidding, to seize Hastings and hurry him aAvay to execution.'
Stanley was kept prisoner in the Tower for a time, but his usual luck attended him. Gloucester
visited him, set him free, and ere a month had passed he stood beside the usurper at Westminster,
a trusty counsellor, bearing the mace, while the circle and symbol of sovereignty was placed on
Richard's head. On the same day (June 26, 1483) he was constituted one of the commissioners for
executing the office of Lord High Steward of England, and before the close of the year he had
been invested with the Order of the Garter and made Constable of England for life. The duke
had evidently fixed his eye upon the throne, and was determined to ascend it at whatever price.
To consummate his purpose, his two nephews, Edward V. and his brother Richard, Duke of York,
were — as is commonly affirmed, though the question' is involved in much obscurity ^ — smothered
in the Tower, whilst sleeping in their bed, by three assassins of the name of Dighton, Forest, and
Slater, under the direction of Sir James Tyrrel, a creature of the duke's. Having thus removed
the obstacles in his way to power, the coronation, which appeared to be preparing for Edward V.,
was appropriated by the Duke of Gloucester to his own purpose and that of his queen. The
ceremony was of the most splendid kind, that the gorgeousness of the scene might conceal the
blood which contaminated the track to the throne. Lord Stanley, who had iust been liberated
from the Tower, was placed in the humiliating situation of bearing the mace before the king, and
the " Lady of Rychemond " bore the queen's train. The other Lancashire peers present were Lord
Grey of Wilton and Lord Morley ; and among the knights were Sir William Stanley, Sir Edward
Stanley, Sir Charles Pilkington, Sir Rafe Ashton, and Sir William Norris ; ■' also Sir James and
Sir Robert Harrington. ^
During the short reign of Richard III. a considerable number of letters-patent were granted
by the king. These documents, in Latin and in English, are preserved in what is styled " a very
valuable book," belonging to the lord treasurer Burghley, in the Harleian collection of the British
Museum ; and the following are their titles, so far as they relate to the county and duchy of
Lancaster : —
Harl. MSS. Cod. 433. [Temp. Rich. III.]
Abt.
14 To John Howard, knt., the Office of Chief Steward of the duchy of Lane. South of Trent.
^^ "^^ M^""^^ Stafford, Duke of Buckinghatu, the offices of constable, steward, and receiver of the castle, manor, and town of
Monmouth, m S. Wales, and of all the other castles, lordships, manors, towns, &c., which are parcels of the Duchy of Lane.
m S. Wales. The duke is also appointed keeper or head forester of the forest and chace of Hodeaake, and of all the other
forests and chaces being parcels of the Duchy aforesd in S. Wales.
43 To Sir Richd Huddlestone the office of receiyer of the lordps, manors, lands, & tenemts in Cumberld & Lancashe which were
formerly Thos Grey's (Marquis of Dorset).
63 A Writ appoint? Guy Fairfax, knt., and Milo Metcalf, Chief Justiciaries of Lane.
70 Royal Letters for the advowson of the Parish church of Gayton, parcel of the Duchy of Lane.
87 Ditto™ ' *° ^''°'' Metcalfe, the office of Chancellor of the Duchy of Lane, and the custody of the seal for the same office.
92 To Guy Fairfax, knighte, th' office of Chieff Juge of Lancastre.
93 To Miles Metcalfe the office of one of the Juges at Lancastre.
94 To Thomas Molineux the office of king's Serjeant and Attorney at Lawe, in all his courtes within the county palatyne of L.
catestrophe milht hfve bl™ tvoid^rtff ^rH^ h k^ ^""Ta ^^^' }^H ' ^'' ^^^^^^^^ <>« Croyland, a contemporary writer, says that it was
to a Seam "f Lord Stanlev'ron fhp nr.. / '*'"^L'"'.'* given heed set abroad that the two sons of Edward IV. were deceased, but by what
lordship bdidd a boar the^com?»,nP„ Z at^ ?'^'''' '? ""^'"^ ^'^ "*°°^'' »' ^'°'™'=« ^"^ unknown. The " Chroniele of the Grey Fftars of
tuBka Hasttol andTtknle/tiU^th^^^ ??'"S with his London," the register book of that fraternity, has this simple and
Shakepere had evidently heard the stoy fnr\?° t *?""'" ^^i'^l'^fj'- inipressive entry, under date 1 Richard lU. (1488) ' ' And the two sons of
third Lt of A Sar/ArBoene 2. ^' ^°" ^^ "'^'°^^'^^^ ^^ '» '^e Kn.g Mward were put to^sUenee."-0.
♦ HolUnshed's Chron. vol. lit p. S9S.
CHAP. XI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
185
Aut.
99 To Henry Stafford, D of Buck., the office of constable, stuarde, and reoeivour of the castles, manners, & townes of
Mounemouthe and Kydwelly of all castles, lordshps, townes, &c., in Wales, and the Marches parcels of the Duchie of
Lane. & thoffice of Pananster (?)' Forster and Maister of the Game in all the forests and chaces of Wales and Marches of
the same, belongmg to the said duchie.
102 To John Howard, D. of Norfolke, the office of Chief Steward of the Duchy of Lane. South of Trent
■'S. m I"*""!? Pylkyngtone, knight, the office of Sheriff of the county of Lancr and the county Palatine.
iSS Z° i-r ?",?,' ^^■' *''^ °®'=® °* ^'''** "^ ^'^^ ^"^"^y within the counties' of Berks and Southampton.
107 To Sir John le Scrop— chamberlain of the Duchy.
113 To Sir Ricd Huddlestone receiver ut suprji.
116 To therle of Surry the StewardshP of the Duchie.
130 To Thomas Kebell thoffice of Generall Attourney of the Duchie of Lane, in Engld & Wales.
171 To W. Castby thoffice of Steward of Daventre, Higham Ferys, Paverells Fee &o.
]ll Z° t^'Tj^.f^"'"' ? ".^''^ °^ Messagere of the Duchie, and Ushere of the co'uncelle house ordeyned for the same.
1/8 To Ricd Pottyere the Attorneyshp of the Duchie.
179 To therle of Surry ut suprii.
276 To John Fitz Herbert the Baillieff of the newe Franchesie of the Duchie of Lane, in the couutie of Derby
327 ' To John, Due of Norfolke, thoffice of chieffe Steward," as above in the Latin patent.
518 To Nichol^ Gardyner, thexecutor of John Gardyner, Licence to found a chauntrie in our Ladie church of Lane. & to mortize
12 b. 01 land there.
519 To Morgan Kidwelly the Stewardship of all the lordshps of the Duchy of Lane, or otherwise belonging to the kin" in the
CO. of Dorset.
824 To Thorns Ld Stanley, Lord Strange, many castles, lordships, manoirs, to hold by knight's service whereof part of them belonged
to Roger Tocot, Henry Stafford Due of Buckingham, &c.
1628 " Comission to the Lord Stanley, constable of England, to sease vnto the kinges use the Manoir of Brightmeed in the counte of
Lancaster, that late was of Thomas Seint Legere his, rebelle. Yeven at London the lath day of Dec. ano primo." Several
other commissions to the same to seize upon lands belonging to the above Sir Thomas S* Leger and Henry Stafford, D. of
Buckingham, are found here.
2001 ■ft' arrant for the Maire, &c., of Lane, to reteigne 20 marks (£13 : 6 : 8) of the fee firme of their towne which the king hath
geven unto them. Yeven at Stoney Stratforde ye 6^'^ of Novr ao 2<io. (1484).
2210 Letter patent from Edw 5 to Thos Kebeele for the attorneyship of the Duchy (1483).
2366 Fees & Wages of officers.
2377 Fees payable to officers in the Rape of Pevensey and parcel of the Duchy of Lancaster.
Tke followiug is the warrant or commission (numbered 1628) from Richard III. to Lord
Stanley to seize the lands of Sir Thomas St. Lej^er, who had married Anne, the king's eldest sister,
but who had revolted against his authority, and suffered the punishment of death in 1483.
Commission for Seizing the Lands of a Rebel in Lancashire. [1 Rich. IIL 1483.]
The Lord ) " Ricardus. To our right trusty & right welbeloued Cousin & Counsellor the Lord Stanley, Constable of
Stanley. ( England, greting. We wil and charge you and by these presentes yeue you ful auotorite & power to sease into our
handes the manoir or Lordship of Brightmede in our Countie of Lancastre that late was of Th. Seintleger our Rebell and thisseues
Rentes and Reuenues thereeof from Michelmesse last passed to take & perceyue to our vse & behaves, yeuing straitly in
commaundement to the officer and tenauntes of the said maner or lordship and to all others our officer treue liegeaunces and
Bubjettes that vnto you and your assignees in thexecucion of the premisses they be attending aiding fauouring & assisting as it
apperteineth. Yeuen at London the xvj day of December Anno primo (1483).
[Ten other commissions follow the above ; or, rather, ten memoranda of such commissions, addressed to " The Lord Stanley,"
to seize lands and manors belonging to Sir Thomas St. Leger and the Duke of Buckingham, forfeited by rebellion, and situated in
the counties of "Wilts, Warre, Leicestre, Chester, Beds, Hertford, Somers, Rutland, and Oxford."]
A Warrant, or Commission. [2 Rich. IIL 1485.]
The Lorde ^ "A commission directed to al knightes Squiers gentilmen and al other the kinges subjecttes of the Counte
Stanley & (of Chester. Shewyng that the king hath deputed the Lord Stanley, the Lord Straunge and Sr Willm Stanley to
Strange & ( have the Rule and leading of al psones appointed to do the king service when they be warned ageinst the kyng's
Sr Wm Stanley. ) Rebelles Charging them therefore to provyde effectual attendaunce. And if any Rebelles arryue in thoose
partes than al the power that they can make be ready to assist the saide lorde and knight, Vpon theire faiths and 'legeaunces, &c.
Yeven at Windesore, &o. (Jan. 13, 1485.)
The same \ "A lyke Commission to the knightes Squiers gentilmen and other of the Countie of Lancastre to geve their
lorde. J attendaunce vpon the Lorde Stanley « Straunge to doo the kinge grace service ageinst his Rebelles in whatsoever
place within this Royme thay fortune tarryue, Vpon their feithe & leigeaunces. Yeuen at Westm'r the xiiij day of Januer.
Aoijdo(i485). [Fol. 201, b.]
The first article in this volume of the Harl. MSS. Cod. 592 is headed "Pro Ducatu
Lancastrie," and consists of a patent, by which the king (supposed to be Edward IV., though it is
not so expressed, the style being simply "Edwardus Dei gratia," &c.) confirms to himself and
heirs, being kings of England, in perpetuity, all the Uberties, privileges, customs, &c., of the county
palatine and duchy of Lancaster, previously granted by his ancestors, kings of England, by
charters, which are here recited. This article is an inspeximus, tested thus: "Witness the
king at Westminster, November 4." No date of the dominical or regnal year. It consists of
twenty-four very large folio pages. j r ■,■
In order to reconcile Lord Stanley to Richard's usurpation he was constituted steward of his
household, as well as Constable of England for life ; but these acts of royal favour failed to secure
> This word is thus marked with the (?) in the Harl. oatalog.ie. There is no doubt of its accuracy, and that it is the name of the officer
who superintended forest-panage.
25
]86 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xi.
his fidelity. After the coronation, and while, as tradition affirms, the young princes were being
" put to silence " in the Tower, Richard made a triumphal progress to the north, Lord Stanley
accompanying him. While the king and Stanley were being feted by the citizens of York, the
Duke of Buckingham was busy concocting a plot for the overthrow of Richard. Communications
passed between him and the Countess of Richmond, Lord Stanley's wife, with the avowed object
of placing her son, Henry of Richmond, upon the throne; and messengers passed to and fro
between the countess and her son, who was then an attainted exile in Brittany. Lancashire was
in a state of ferment ; and there is extant a letter written at the time by Edward Plumpton, the
secretary of Lord Stanley's eldest son. Lord Strange, which gives a curious side-glance at the
condition of things. Writing from Lathom on the 18th of October, 1483 — the day fixed by
Buckingham for the uprising — he says: "People in this country be so troubled in such
commandment as they have in the king's name and otherwise, marvellously that they know not
what to do. My Lord Straung [Strange] goeth forth from Lathom upon Monday next with XM.
[ten thousand] men, whither we cannot say. The Duke of Buckingham has not so many as yet." He
significantly adds, " [it] is sayd here that he is able to go where he wyll, but I trust he shall be
right withstanded and all his malice and els were great pyty." ^ The king, whose suspicions never
slumbered, was fully aware of Buckingham's intention ; and that he might have the more secure
hold on the allegiance of Lord Stanley, and prevent him from inciting an insurrection in Lancashire
and Cheshire, where his power and influence where almost unlimited, Richard insisted that George,
Lord Strange, the son and heir of the house of Stanley, should remain in his hands as a hostage.
These suspicions were increased by the circumstance of Lord Stanley having, about the year 1473,
married for his second wife Margaret, the widow of Edmund, Earl of Richmond, half brother of
Henry VI., by whom she had issue Henry, Earl of Richmond, the representative of the house of
Lancaster, whom Buckingham was seeking to place upon the throne. Lord Stanlej^'s wife was
implicated in the abortive insurrection ; but as his lordship had prudently kept in the background,
he could not be directly impeached, and with his customary good fortune he managed to profit
by the transaction, for on the day that Buckingham's head rolled away from the axe Richard
bestowed upon him " the castle and lordship of Kimbolton, late belonging to the great rebel
and traitor, Humphrey Stafford, Duke of Buckingham." Richard's displeasure was, however,
subsequently marked by an act of attainder against the Countess of Richmond, in which it is set
forth that
"Foraomuch as Margaret, Countesse of Richmond, Mother to the Kyngs greate Rebelle & Trajtour, Henry, Erie of Ricliemond.
hath of late conspired, confedered, & committed high Treason agenst cure Soveraigne Lorde the King, Richard the Third, in dyvers
& sundry wyses, & in especial! in sendyng messages, writyngs & tokens to the said Henry, deayrng, procuryng, & stirryng hym by
the same, to come into this Roialme, & make Werre agenst oure said Soveraigne Lorde ; to the which desyre, procuryng, & stirrynge
the said Henry applied hym, as it appereth by experience by hym late shewed in that behalf. Also the said Countesse made
chevisancez of greate somes of money, as well within the Citee of London, as in other places of this Roialme to be employed to the
execution of the said Treason & malicious purpose ; &- also the said Countesse conspired, confedered, & imagyned the destruction of
oure said Soveraigne Lord, and was asseutyng, knowyng, Ik, assistyng Henry, late Duke of Buckingham."
The punishment for " high treason " was of course public execution, but Richard " of his grace
and favour," as he alleges, but under the influence of his fears, as is more probable, and in
consideration of " the good and faithful services done and intended to be done by Thomas, Lord
Stanley, husband of the countess,"^ remitted the death penalty. But at the same time he declared
all her property forfeited to the crown, whether in fee-simple, fee-tail, or otherwise ; but not to the
prejudice of 'Thomas, Lord Stanley, or any other person or persons, with the exception of the
Countess of Richmond. It does not appear that the countess was ever removed from Lathom
House for trial, though it was ordered that she should be kept in ward by her lord, in private
apartments, and not suffered to hold any communication with the king's enemies. One of the first
acts of the next reign was to annul this act of attainder, and fully to reinstate the " noble princess
Margaret, Countess of Richmond, in all her possessions." = Margaret, Countess of Richmond, Avas
the only daughter and heir of John Beaufort, first Duke of Somerset, the grandson of John of
Gaunt and Catharme Swynford. This lady had married Edmund, Earl of Richmond, and Henry,
the present earl, was the only issue of that marriage. She had afterwards married Sir Henry
Stafford, and at his death espoused Thomas, Lord Stanley. The present Earl of Richmond had
long been a source of disquietude to the reigning family of the house of York, who had spared no
pams to obtain possession of his person, for the purpose of administering those murderous remedies
for the cure of a disputed title which they so well knew how to apply. But he survived all their
machinations, and ap alliance, suggested by the Marquis of Dorset and the Bishop of Ely, between
the Earl of Richmond and Elizabeth, the eldest daughter of Edward IV., promised to effect a
' Plumpton Papers, pp. 44-0, Camden Soo.-C. = Hot. Pari. vi. p. 250.-C. '^ Ibid 1 Henry VII. -(US6) vol. vi. p. 2S6.
CHAP. XI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIEE.
187
union between the Red and the White Roses, for which the nation had long panted with ardent
JT!- ?.t ^T^ ^^^'T^ *° accomplish this ob ect by the agency of the d"uL of Buckingham
iailed^and the duke and a number ot his friends became the victims of the premature enterprise'
Retarded in the attainment o± his object by the failure of the fiuke of Buckingham's
enterprise but by no means discouraged from pursuing it, the Earl of Richmond, " England's hope "
embarked from Harfleui^ in Normandy (August 1st, 1485), with a small army of two thousand
men, with which on the I7th of the same month, he landed at Milford Haven, where he was joined
by Sir Richard Rice ap Thomas, who had been entrusted with a command in Wales by the tvrant
Richard. In his march into the interior of the country he was joined by the powerful family of
Shrewsbury as well as by Sir Thomas Bourchier and Sir Walter Hungerford, and a large number
of persons of inferior note Richard, aware of the storm by which he was menaced, had collected
a well-appointed army m Nottinghamshire, and towards this point the Earl of Richmond directed
his course, by Avay ot I amworth.
Richard, knowing that he had forfeited all claim to the confidence of his people that the
enormities he had committed for the attainment of the throne had withdrawn from him the flower
ot his nobihty, and that those who feigned allegiance to his person and government panted for an
opportunity to betray and desert him, became more suspicious of his friends than alarmed by his
enemies. The persons of Avhom he entertained the greatest suspicion, and those who had the
power more than any others to decide his fate, were Lord Stanley and his younger brother, Sir
William Stanley, of Holt, in Denbighshire. By a strange infatuation the king commissioned Lord
Stanley to raise an army in the counties of Lancaster and Chester. The number of soldiers under
the command of the Stanleys was so considerable that the decision of the approaching battle, on
which a kingdom depended, was placed in their hands. Two days before the battle commenced
Richard marched from Nottingham to Leicester at the head of his army, and entered that town
with a countenance strongly characteristic of the gloomy state of his mind. He took up his
quarters for the night at the principal inn,= the Blue Boar, but then called the White Boar,
his cognisance, and concentrated his outposts, in preparation for the approaching engagement.
The dawn of the following day found the two hostile armies on Bosworth Field— Richard in
the command of twelve thousand men, and Richmond with about half that number. Lord Stanley
had placed himself near the neighbouring village of Atherstonov six miles from the field of battle,
with a force differently estimated by historians, but probably amounting to about five thousand
men._ Even now the determination which his lordship had taken was not generally known in the
conflicting armies, though the commanders, no doubt, had sagacity enough to discover that he
had abandoned Richard, and was determined to support his rival to the throne. The sword
suspended over the neck of Lord Strange, who was in Richard's camp as a hostage, hung only by a
hair, and it was only averted by an opportune intervention.
Richard, extending his troops as widely as possible, to intimidate his enemy by an impression
of the great strength of the army to which they were opposed, gave the command of the vanguard
to the Duke of Norfolk and the Earl of Surrey ; he himself led the centre, which was guarded on
the flanks by the horse and led on by the bowmen. Richmond having placed his bowmen in front,
under the command of the Earl of Oxford, gave the command of the right wing to Sir Gilbert
Talbot and of the left to Sir John Savage. The command of the horse he took upon himself,
aided by his uncle the Earl of Pembroke. Richmond having, by a successful manoeuvre, possessed
himself of a path which intersected a swamp, and thrown the glare of the sun in the face of the
enemy, the battle commenced. The first shock of the two armies showed sufiiciently the different
spirit by which they were animated. For a while, however, the contest hung in suspense ; but the
^ Amongst uthers, a gentleman of the name of William Coling- to tenant with the inn. In the reign of Queen Elizabeth, this house was
bourne, who had been high sheriff of Wiltshire and Dorsetshire, suffered kept by one Mr, Clark, who put a bed on this bedstead, which hia wife
death for having written the following whimsical je« d'esprit, in allusion going to make hastily, and jumbling the bedstead, apiece of gold dropped
to the names of the two royal favourites, Ratcliffe and Catesby, and to out. This excited the woman's curiosity ; she narrowly examined this
tbe crest of Level, which was a dog, and that of Richard, which was a antiquated piece of furniture, and, finding it had a double bottom, took
boar: — off the uppermost with a chisel, upon which she discovered the space
" The Rat, the Cat, and Level the Dog, between them filled with gold, part of it coined by Richard III. and the
Rule all England under a Hog." rest of it in earlier times. Mr. Clark (her husband) concealed this piece
2 Richard slept at the Blue Boar Inn, and the bedstead whereon he is ot good fortune, though by degrees the effects of it made it known, for
supposed to have lain is still preserved, and its history is thus handed he became rich from a low condition, and, in the space of a few years,
down; " In the year ltil3, Mrs. Clark, keeper of that inn, was robbed by mayor of the town; and then the story of the bedstead came to be
her servant-maid and seven men, and the relation is thus given by Sir rumoured by the servants. At his death, he left his estate to his wife,
Roger Twisden, who had it from persons of undoubted credit, who were who still continued to keep the inn, though she was known to be very
not only inhabitants of Leicester, but saw the murderers executed : rich ; which put some wicked persona upon engaging the maidservantto
'When King Richard III. marched into Leicestershire against Henry, assist in robbing her. These folks, to the number of seven, lodged in her
Earl of Richmond, afterwards Henry VII., he lay at the Blue Boar Inn, house, plundered it, and carried off some hnrse-loads of valuable things,
in the t .wn of Leicester, where was left a large wooden bedstead, gilded and yet left a considerable quantity of valuables scattered about the floor,
insomeplaces, which, after hisdefeatanddeathin the battle of Bosworth, As for Mrs. Clark herself, who was very fat, she endeavoured to cry out
was left, either through haste, or as a thing of little value (the bedding for help, upon which her maid thrust her fingers down her throat and
being oil taken from it), to the people of the house ; thenceforward, this choked her ; for which fact she was burnt, and the seven men, who were
old bedstead, which was boarded at the bottom (as the manner was in her accomplices, were hanged at Leicester some time in the year 1613."
those days), became a piece of standing furniture, and passed from teiiaut
188 THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIEE. chap. xi.
appearance of Lord Stanley, the arbiter of the battle of Bosworth Field, who declared in favour of
his son-in-law, decided the fate of the day. The king's forces fought without spirit, and seemed
more anxious to secure their own safety than to obtain victory. In this emergency Richard was
advised to quit the field, and a horse was provided for the purpose ; but he had placed his all upon
the issue, and he fought like a hero. His only remaining hope was now in the death of Richmond ;
and in a desperate onset to accomplish that object he slew Sir William Brandon, the earl's
standard-bearer, with his oAvn hands, and at the next moment dismounted Sir John Cheyney.
The commanders of the two armies were now on the point of coming in personal collision, an event
of which they both seemed ambitious ; but at the moment when the combat was about to take
place. Sir William Stanley broke into the line with his three thousand tall men, and surrounded
Richard, who still continued to fight with all the courage and desperation of his nature ; but at
leno'th, sinking under the superior force by which he was assailed, fell dead on the field, pierced
with innumerable wounds, and covered with gore, his last words being, " Treason ! Treason !
Treason !' The numbers of the slain in the battle of Bosworth Field, like the numbers engaged in
the contest, are differently estimated. Some accounts rate them as low as a thousand and others as
high as four thousand. The loss, however, fell principally upon the Yorkists, as Sir William Talbot,
in an account written to his friends immediately after the battle, says that the number of slain on
the part of the Earl of Richmond did not exceed ten persons ! The Duke of Norfolk, Lord Ferrars
of Chartley, Sir Robert Ratcliffe, Sir Robert Piercy, and Sir Robert Brackenbury, were all
numbered with the dead ; and Sir William Catesby, the ready instrument of all Richard's crimes,
being taken prisoner, Avas beheaded with several others at Leicester two days afterwards. After the
battle. Lord Stanley, who, with his brother. Sir William, had contributed so much to the success of
the day, took the crown which adorned the chapeau of estate Richard had worn upon his salad or
head-piece, and placing it upon the head of the Earl of Richmond crowned him on the field by the
title of King Henry YIL A large portion of the spoils of the field fell into the hands of Sir
William Stanley, and were allowed by the king's permission to enrich that gallant knight.
" Richard's body being stripped naked, all tugged and torn, and not so much as a clout left to
cover his shame, Avas trussed behind a pursuivant-at-arms like a hog or a calf ; his head and arms
hung on one side the horse and his legs on the other, all besprinkled with mire and blood, and was
so carried to Leicester." "No king," says Mr. Hutton, "Avas ever so degraded a spectacle;
humanity and decency ought not to have suffered it." Mr. Carte says, " They tied a rope about his
neck, more to insult the helpless dead than to fasten him to the horse." After lying exposed to the
inspection and insults of the populace, the tyrant's body, at the end of the second day, was taken
to the church of the Grey Friars, and there buried in a stone coffin." -
Thus ended the Avars between the houses of York and Lancaster, so far as the members of the
house of York Avere concerned, in Avhich from eighty to ninety thousand Englishmen Avere slain.
Three kings, several princes of the blood, sixty-tAvo nobles, one hundred and thirty-nine knights,
four hundred and forty-one esquires, and six hundred and thirty-eight of the gentry of the
kingdom, fell in these memorable Avars.^ The contest between the rival houses Avas not, however,
an unmixed evil ; probably it was more beneficial in its remote consequences than iniurious in its
immediate effects. Up to that time the property as Avell as the poAA'er of the nation was chiefly
divided amongst the king, the nobility, and the clergy. The great mass of the people of England
Avere, as they had been from the time of the Scandinavian invasion, serfs, dependent upon the will
of their lords, transferable like cattle, and held in nearly the same estimation. Such Avas their
degradation that the honour of hazarding their lives to settle a quarrel betAveen the Red and the
White Roses Avas too great for them to enjoy; but as every lord was obliged, by a kind of moral
necessity, to take part in this Avidely-extended contest, either on the one side or the other, it
became necessary for his oAvn safety to seek the aid of his vassals ; and before those vassals could
be allowed to take the field it Avas necessary that they should be emancipated and become free
men. In this Avay the feudal system, introduced before the Conquest, and consolidated by the
Conqueror, Avas shaken to its centre ; trade and commerce hastened its doAvnfall ; villeinage Avas
virtually at an end as early as the reign of EdAvard VI. ; and in the twelfth year of Charles II.
(1660) the name itself Avas erased from the statute-books.
>,. J fVi? <=°?™°.°'y said that Lord Stanley placed the crown upon the thia erection, which perished with tlie dissolution of the monastery in tlie
head of the victorious Richmond, but it is an absurd mistake to suppose following reign i, uu ui uio mouisoc j
that Richard wore the roya,l crown upon his helmet during the battle; he » .. jn ^y remembrance," says PliUip de Commines, " eighty princes
Th'^nrL^n^nuU^ifjhnltZt iFh t"", •""? ^''''fl^°iK- o™" supposing of the blood royal of England perished in these convulstins. Those that
the crown could have been attached to Ina helmet. The story probably were spared by the sword renewed their sufferings in foreign lands. I
arose from his wearing a circlet of gold or some other distinguishing myself saw the Duke of Exeter, the king's brother-in-law, walking
ur„"S'l?il™*„f »A1,TJ «,'l\°'r'™- '™'' ^^^r^? yom by Henry v. bai-efoot after the Duke of Burgundy's train! and earning Ms bTead by
upon his helmet at the battle of Agincourt and which then served to begging from door to door." Sir John Penn, in his preface to " Original
break the force of the stroke of the Duke of Aleu<;on'8 battleaxe.-O. Letters," written during the reigns of Henry VI , Edwa?d iv" and
■'niot,tp"°„^'i?n?LTi''.'„lf^r3"™V^K ''?'''''? *°.^i'' '°™0'-y. with 1"'» Riohard HI., says that every individual of two generations o the
H£,^viT ^- ? '^ 1°-'*' '" alabaster ;^ and, ten years afterwards, families of Somerset and Warwick fell on the field, or on the scaffold,
Henry VH., on his Lancashire progress, paid £10 Is. to James Keyley fur as victims of those bloody contests.
CHAP. XI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
189
_ When Henry of Richmond came out of the field of Bosworth a victor, it was to rule over a
nation weak, impoverished, and bleeding at every pore. The fierce struggles of the Roses
destroyed the power of the nobles and weakened their influence by sweeping away the heads of
the principal families The power of the barons had been too great for the safety of the soverei<^n
In the long contest they had sought to extend their own privileges and to restrict those of tlie
crown and the freemen. Their ambition failed of its object, and when the great " king-maker "
sank overpowered upon the field of Barnet, their sun may be said to have gone down But if that
contest weakened the power of the crown and the oligarchy, it was at least productive of one
national benefit, inasmuch as it precipitated that social change which ultimately led to the complete
overthrow of the social system: it re-established the liberi homines or freemen, relieved the middle
class of the system of vassalage to which they had been subjected, and virtually extint^uished the
system of serfdom that had prevailed in England from pre-Norman times. '"
_ One of the first acts of Henry on succeeding to the crown was to reverse the attainders passed
against the adherents of the house of Lancaster.^ This was followed by an act of confiscation against
the property of the adherents of the tyrant Richard, amongst whom were Sir Thomas Pilkington
Sir Robert Harrington, and Sir James Harrington, all of the county of Lancaster, whose estates
were principally awarded to the Stanley family for their services at the battle of Bosworth Field
Besides their forfeited possessions Lord Stanley had bestowed the lands of Pooton of Pooton,
Bythom of Bythom, and Newby of Kirkby, all in Lancashire, "with at least twenty gentlemen's
estates more." Among the duchy records is an enumeration of these properties, which include,
among others, Holland, Nether Kelleth, Halewood, Samlesbury, Pilkington, Bury, Cheethami
Cheetwood, Halliwell, Broughton-in-Furness, Bolton-in-Furness, Underworth, Shuttleworth'
Shipplebotham, Middleton, Oversfield, Smithells, Selberthwaite, Tottington, Elswick, and
Urswick; he had also a grant from the king of Burford St. Martin, in Wiltshire. As a further
reward, his lordship was created Earl of Derby, elected a member of His Majesty's Privy Council,
appointed a commissioner for exercising the office of lord high steward of England, and shortly after-
wards had conferred upon him the great ofiice of Constable of England for life. At the same time
an arrangement was concluded between the earl and his wife, Margaret, Countess of Richmond and
Derby, the king's mother, in recompense of her jointure and dower, and ratified by the sanction of
Parliament.^ A considerable augmentation was made to her possessions six years afterwards, by
the grant of the lordships and manors of Ambursbury and Winterbourne, in the county of Wilts,
and the manors of Henxstrigge and Charlton Canvile, in the county of Somerset, of which
Henry VII. was seised, and which had been granted to Henry Beaufort, then Cardinal Beaufort
and Bishop of Winchester.^ Henry VIL, in compliance with the prayer of the commoners, " that
in consideration of the right to the realms of England and France being vested in his person and
then heirs of his body, by the authority of the said Parliament, he would be pleased to espouse the
Lady Elizabeth, daughter of King Edward IV., which marriage they hoped God would bless with a
progeny of the race of kings," he in January, 1486, married that princess, and thus was accomplished
the union, so long wished for by an exhausted nation, between the houses of York and Lancaster.''
A disease hitherto unknown, which, from its symptoms, was called the " sweating sickness,"
prevailed at this time (1485) in Lancashire and in other parts of the kingdom. Happily the
malady, which was most fatal, was of short duration, having made its appearance about the middle
of September and run its course before the end of October in the same year. " The complaint was
a pestilent fever," says Lord Verulam, " attended by a malign vapour, which flew to the heart
and seized the vital spirits ; which stirred nature to strive to send it forth by an extreme sweat.
If the patient were kept in an equal temperature, both for clothes, fire, and drink, moderately
warm with temperate cordials, whereby nature's work were neither irritated by heat nor turned
back by cold, he commonly recovered, and the danger was considered as past in twenty-four hours
from the first attack. But infinite numbers of persons died suddenly of it before the manner of
the cure and attendants were known. It was conceived not to be an epidemical disease, but to
proceed from a malignity in the constitution of the air, gathered by the predisposition of seasons ;
and the speedy cessation declared as much." Fifteen years afterwards this county was visited by
the plague, which spread extreme alarm through the country, and the king, to escape the danger
of contagion, sailed with his family to Calais. This sweating sickness had so completely subsided
in London that the ceremony of the coronation, which had been fixed for the 30th of October,
148.3, took place according to appointment ; on which occasion only two elevations and one new
• Rot. Pari. 1 Henry V [I. vol. vi. p. 273. no alacrity in performing the oath, "his aversion to the house of York
' Eot. Pari. 1 Henry VII. vol. vl. p. 311. being so predominant," says Bacon, "as it found place not only in his
' Rot Pari 7 Henry VII. vol. vi. p. 446. ^ wars and councils but in his chamber and bed." Hist. Henry VII.
* The desire for the union was a popular sentiment, but, though p. 16. — C.
Henry had sworn at Vannes to marry the Lady Elizabeth, he showed
192 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xi.
having examined him with great minuteness he wrote to England to say that he knew Richard
Duke of York as well as he knew his own son, and this was unquestionably that prince, and the
indubitable " White Rose." The king, though a silent was by no means an inactive observer ot the
drama which was acting, and in which he had so deep an interest. His inquiries at home and his
emissaries abroad convinced him that young Warbeck was an unpostor, and he determined to
seize several of the persons in this country by whose aid the young pretender was partly upheld
and supported. Amongst a number of others, both of the laity and clergy, Sir Simon Radcliffe,
Lord Fitzwalter, Sir Simon Montford, Sir Thomas Thwaites, and William Dawbigney, were arrested
on a charge of high treason and brought to trial, and being found guilty of conspiring to dethrone
the king they were sentenced to death and beheaded. It was now ascertained that Sir Robert
Clifford had been induced to embark in the king's service as a state informer.^ On hi.s return to
England from Flanders he sought an audience of the king in council, and affecting great
contrition he fell down at his sovereign's feet, and besought his forgiveness— of which hehad
already been assured. As a return for the royal clemency he declared his readiness to communicate
all that he knew of the parties who had been in league with Warbeck, and amongst others he
accused Sir William Stanley, the king's chamberlam, who was at that moment in the royal presence.
The king received this information with every semblance of amazement! CUfFord was
requested to reconsider his charge, and warned of the consequences of_ repeating a false
accusation : he persisted, however, in his assertions and offered to justify his accusations upon
his soul and upon his life. The next day Sir William was examined before the lords of the
council, when he neither denied nor attempted to extenuate his guilt. His reliance for pardon,
it is said, rested principally upon his former services, and upon the intercession of his brother,
the Earl of Derby, but both these hopes failed him. In about six weeks from the time when the
accusation was first preferred by Sir Robert Clifford, Sir William Stanley was arraigned of high
treason, and being found guilty was condemned to suffer the utmost penalty of the law, and soon
after beheaded (16th February, 1195).- The specific crime charged against Sir William Stanley
has never been satisfactorily ascertained ; but it is said that in a conversation with Sir Robert
Clifford he observed, " that if he were sure that Perkin Warbeck was King Edward's son he
would never bear arms against him." This the judges construed into conditional treason; and
the preference that the expression implied for the claims to the crown of the house of York over
that of the house of Lancaster stung Henry to the quick. The true cause, however, of the
extreme severity towards Sir William Stanley was probably his wealth, as he was one of the
richest subjects in England, there having been found in his castle of Holt forty thousand marks
(£26,666), exclusive of plate, jewels, and other effects, to which are to be added three thousand
pounds a year in land. This was a temptation too alluring for a monarch of the king's disposition
to resist ; and the general opinion is that Sir William Stanley was quite as much the victim of
Henry's cupidity as of his own alleged treason. Some disquietude, it is said, lurked in the mind
of Sir William, whose ambition had prompted him to aspire to the vacant earldom of Chester,
the ancient dignity of Randle, Viscount Bayeux, the Norman baron. This request having been
refused, his allegiance is supposed to have been shaken ; and the king, having become suspicious
that his love was turned into hate, was glad of an occasion to remove from his court and person
one to whom he was under infinite obligation. It is by no means clear that Sir Robert Clifford,
the state informer, Avas not from the beginning an emissary of the king, who maintained a widely-
extended system of espionage, and that he did not go over to Flanders with his consent, and by
his connivance. This supposition Bacon (Lord Verulam) rejects, on the ground that Sir Robert
never afterwards received that degree of confidence with the king which he enjoyed before he
left England ; but this is a slender foundation on which to hazard the conjecture, seeing that spies
and their employers must, in t!ie nature of things, generally appear' to stand in a state of
alienation, if not of actual hostility. The Parliament which assembled in the same year (1495)
passed an act of attainder against Sir William Stanley, by which all his honors, castles, manors,
lordships, and other possessions, were confiscated and forfeited to the king, and thus swept into
the general mass of forfeitures which filled the royal coffers.^
In the midst of all the cares of state Henry found sufficient leisure in the summer, after the
execution of Sir William Stanley, to visit his mother, for whom he always cherished the most
affectionate regard, and his step-father, the Earl of Derby, at Knowsley, and at Lathom, in this
> There is no doubt that Clifford was in the service ot the king in the Money given to Sir William Stanley at his e.'iecution £ a. d.
capacity o£ a spy. There is a significant entry in the Privy Puise (supposed to be a reward to the headsman) 10
expenses of Henry, under date January 20tb, 1495— "Delivered to Sir Paid for Sir William Stanley's buriall at Syon (a convent of
Kobert Clifford, by the hand of Master Bray, £1500."— C. Bridgetine nuns, on the banks of the Thames, at
2 In the Privy Purse Expenses of Henry (focci-pto i/;s(07'ia, p. 101), are Isleworth) 16 19
certain items of expenditure incurred at the time of the execution of Sii- Paid to Simon Digby, in full payment for the buryall of Sir
William Stanley— Wm. Stanley 2
» Bot. Pari. 11 Henry VII. vol. vi. p. 50a. — C.
CHAP. XI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
193
T^^aVI r. ■'''''' of^'isibly for the purpose of manifesting the king's confidence in the
Earls hdehty but in reahty to ascertain from personal observation in what heart the head of the
Stanleys had taken his brothers tragic death. Whatever may have been Lord Derby's private
feelings he prudently resolved to sink the brother in the subject, and so far was he from expressing
any hosti ity towards the king on account of the recent execution that he gave all possiblS
efiect to the royal progress, and entertained his guest with a splendour and hospitality such as
has had seldom been witnessed m these parts. To promote the king's accommodation the noble lord
built asubstantial bridge of stone over the Mersey at Warrington, for the passage of himself and
his suite ; which bridge has been found of so much public utility as to afford a perpetual
monument of the visit of Henry VII. to Lancashire. The Countess of Richmond and Derby not
only returned her sons s affection but she extended also her love to the queen and her children ;
and the following letter (spelling modernised), written by her to Thomas Boteler, Earl of Ormond,
chamberlain to the queen, while he was on a foreign embassy, is strongly characteristic of her
maternal affection: —
" Mr Lord Chamberlain,— I thank you heartily that ye list so soon remember me with my gloves, the which were right
good, save they were too much [large] for my hand. I think the ladies in that parts [sic] too great ladies all, and according to
their great estate they have great personages. As for news here, I am sure ye shall have more surety than I can send you.
JJlessed be God the king, the queen, and all our sweet children be in good health. The queen hath been a little crazed ; but now
she 18 well, God be thanked. Her sickness is [? not] so good as I would, but I trust hastily it shall, with God's grace ; whom I pray
give you good speed m your great matters, and bring you well and soon home.— Written at Sheen, the 28th day of April.
" To my lord the Queen's Chamberlain.
(M. Rychemound.")
The progress of the king on his northern tour to Lancashire commenced on the 20th of June,
1495, and terminated on the 3rd of October in the same year. In the account of the " privy purse
expenses of Henry VII." the charges incurred on this journey are enumerated with great particu-
larity, and the successive stages of the royal route, both going and coming, are marked with the
king's accustomed precision, in the following terms : —
"June 21. At Wieombe. 22. At Notley. 25. At Wodestok. 28. For making the King's bonefuyer, 10s- July 1. At
Cleping-norton. 2. At Evesham. 3. At Tukesbury. 4. At Wours. 5. To Brom riding to Northamptonshire and Ruteland with
five lettres, lOs- 9. To a preste that was the King's scolemaster, £2. To a tumbler opon the rope in rewarde, 3^- 4il. 10. At
Biewdeley. 12. At Ludlow. 15. At Shrewsbury. 16. At Cumbemere Abbey. To an archer of th' archeduc in rewarde, £i. 17.
At Holte. 18. At Chester. To Topliff the Juge of Ireland, £2.
" 23. To John Reding for vitailliug, waging of four shipps at Fowey and Plymouth, with 470 [men] for six weeks to be opon
the aea, £350 23- 9d. For his costs riding theder with the money, £6 13s. 4il- To Sir Geffrey for vitailling, hiring of shippes,
hiring o£ horses, for his olde costs, & for his costs now, in grosse, £42 17^. 4d. To the Pycard of Chester hired for a moneth, to
carry men into Ireland, £4 ISs. 2^- To a Spanyard for carrying seventy men over into Irelande at one tyme, £10. To William
Damport for four tun of here, with the carriage and empty pipes, £4 lis. 2<1. At Vaile Roiall Abbey. To one that leped at
Chestre, 6s. 8<i For the wags of eleven pety captanes for fourteen days, every of them 9d. by day, £5 1 5s. 6<i. [Equal to about
six shillings per day at the present time.] For their conduyt money, £1 9s. Sd. To the wags of 149 Fotemen for fourteen days,
every of them 6d. by day, £101 lOs. 6<i. To their oondyt money, £26 6s. 8d. For 142 jackets, at Is. 6d- the pece, £13 lis- To
fifty-five cresset men, every of them Is., £2 15s.
July 18. At Whonwick (Winwick). 20. At Lathom. To Sir Richard Pole for 200 jacquetts, price of every pece Is. 6d., £15
[Husband of Margaret Plantagenet, daughter of George, Duke of Clarence, and afterwards Countess of Salisbury.] For the wages
of 100 horsemen for fourteen days, every of them 9d. by day, £52 10s. For their conduyt for 3 days, every of them 9d. by day,
£11 58. For the wages of 100 fotemen for fourteen days, every of them 6d. by day, £35. [To swell the King's retinue.] For
their conduyt for four days, every of them 6d. by day, £10. For shipping, vitailling, and setting over the see the foresaid 200 men
with an 100 horses, £13 68. 8d. To the shirif awayting upon Sr Sampson for the safe conduyt of the forsaid souldeours, £2.
Aug. 2. To Picard, a herrald of Fraunce, in rewarde, £6 13s. 4d. To the women that songe before the Kinge and the Queue in
reward, 68. 8d. [From which it appears that the king was accompanied in this progress by the queen.] 3. At Knowsley. 4. At
Warington. 5. At Manchestre. 6. At Maxfeld. 8. At Newcastall. 10. At Strafford. 11. At Lychefeld. 12. At Burton. 13.
At Derby. 28. At Lughburgh. 29. At Leye.
During the king's residence at Lathom, Perkin Warbeck, having collected a considerable
armament, attempted a landing on the coast of Kent ; but this enterprise, like all the others in
which he embarked, utterly failed. He next sailed for Scotland, where he was received with great
favour by the Scotch king. Here he told his pathetic story with much effect, representing that
" one Henry Tudor, the son of Edmund Tudor, had usurped that throne of which he had been
deprived by his uncle, Richard of Gloucester. Henry, not content with displacing him from the
throne, had laboured to compass his death and ruin. The justice of his cause, however, was so
manifest to his Most Christian Maiesty Charles, King of France, and to the lady Duchess of
Burgundy, his dear aunt, that they not only acknowledged his title to the English crown, but
were ready to assist him in obtaining it." The Scotch king so far supported the claims of his
26
194 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xi.
interesting young guest that he allowed him to take to wife Lady Katherine Gordon, daughter of
the Earl of Huntly, a lady of great beauty and of high accomplishments. The next step was to
penetrate into England by the northern borders, and to erect his standard in Northumberland.
Here Perkin issued a "royal proclamation,"^ inviting all loyal subjects to repair to his standard,
and holding out the most alluring promises to those who embraced his cause. This expedition
ended in a precipitate retreat, but not till the Scotch had plundered and laid waste the county of
Northumberland. His next and final attempt was upon the coast of Cornwall, where a recent
insurrection, which terminated in the defeat of the rebels upon Blackheath, seerned to have
prepared the people for his reception. The first appearance of Perkin was at Bodmin, where he
was joined by about three thousand of the inhabitants of that town and the neighbouring district.
Thus encouraged, he marched to the city of Exeter, which he summoned to surrender in the name
of "Richard IV., King of England." The king lost not a moment in despatching the lord chamber-
lain, Lord Brook, and Sir Rice ap Thomas, with a light force, to Exeter, to relieve the city, charging
them to announce that he was on his march in person, at the head of the royal army. All these
preparations were rendered unnecessary by the gentry of the county having collected a force
sufficient to alarm the invaders, who suddenly raised the siege of Exeter, and marched to Taunton.
From this place Perkin Warbeck fled in the night, attended by about sixty horsemen, to Beaulieu,
in the New Forest, where he shut himself up for safety in the sanctuary of that place (September
21, 1497), alleging that he foresaw the carnage that would ensue, and he could not endure to see
the blood of his subiects spilt ! Lady Katherine Gordon, who had followed the fortunes of her
husband, whom she tenderly loved, was captured at St. Michael's, in Cornwall, by the king's troops,
and, being taken to court, she was treated by the queen Avith great kindness, and even affection.
Her beauty was the theme of general admiration, and, being extremely fair, the title given to her
husband by the Duchess of Burgundy was transferred to his lady, who was thenceforth called
" The White Rose." The pretender, Perkin, on a promise of pardon from the king, surrendered
himself into his hands. On being brought to London he confessed the imposture, and became an
object of scorn rather than of loyal regard. Having formed a conspiracy, as was alleged, with
Edward Plantagenet, Earl of Warwick, the eldest son of the late Duke of Clarence, who "had been
kept a prisoner in the Tower from his infancy, he was brought to trial for high treason, found
guilty, and afterwards executed at Tyburn. The Earl of Warwick, his accomplice, was also
convicted, and beheaded on Tower Hill, in whom fell the last of the male line of the Plantagenets.
The king, no longer exposed to the danger of losing his throne, surrendered himself to that
passion which, when inordinately cherished, • strengthens with age, and outlives all other vices.'
The annual revenue from the royal estates and the properties which had lapsed to the crown were
estimated at about one hundred and seventy thousand pounds, of which forty thousand were
derived from customs. The sums which flowed into the royal coffers from the arbitrary exactions
and extortions under obsolete laws of Empson and Dudley, who wrested the law to do the same
work of plunder as had been accomplished by the sword and the fetter ui the days of baronial
tyranny were immense ; and' the strictness with which the account of the king's privy purse was
kept is at once amusing and instructive. In these accounts, from the year 1491 to 1505, amongst
an immense number of other items of expenditure, the following appear:—
£ s d.
Paid to Robert Suthewell for horses, sadells, and other Decessarys bought for the conveyance of
my Lady Kateryn Huntleye (The White Rose) 7 13 4
Paid to my Lord Strange in reward \ [[ 40 Q
Paid to Sir Edward Stanley in reward '.' . ..' .'..,... 26 13 4
Paid for making of the bonefuyer 2
Paid to Sir Gilbert Talbot going on an embassade to Rome, for his costs ! 5
_ Towards the close of his reign, the king displayed great anxiety to bring a " celestial honour,"
as It was called, into the house of Lancaster. To accomplish this object he sent an embassy to
Rome, to importune the new pope Julius II. to canonise Henry VI., but upon what ground, except
that he had, when Henry Vll. was a boy, predicted that he should one day fill the throne of
England it is difficult to conjecture. His Holiness referred the matter to certain cardinals, to take
the verification of the deceased monarch's holy acts and miracles ; but these were not sufficiently
I rnn?p™^'lSl*w^,5n'??.'^„.„,i,, Hi . . , justices of the peace, were Edmundus Trafford MIV, Johos Talbot Mil',
h„t LmPll S^^fa, rfrt^^^H t « *'' "1' ^!'™^ P""""' '" *'"='>■ "^'""^ Thomas Tvawronco Arm', and Thomas Hesketh Arm'. It is duo to the
h s lZ LwrnVnt ,. 1 hv ^if nln""? "'i^™' ''^'° ."^ imbecility by king, however, to say, that he did from time to time nwiird allowances
intercmfrsr "Z w^«™lv7TTn1inih H ..™'"'' ''.''fusion from h«m;m from the revenues of the duchy of Lancaster for the roUef of the puMic
'°Mno- kfnt for flfWn'vAT„Hhn t ' " ™7 ■""''<^™'- ^all says, burdens, as appears by the following items in the acts of the first and
1,. f ?^ V 1° years without company of men, or sight of beasts, eleventh voars of his reign :-
°Amon/X^"mK'nr,'?l''-'''''™- « ,- . Firstf of tlJoenorafReceivour of the Duchie of Lan- )„,,„„.,,. ,,
» Among other modes of raising money the king had frequently castrc n4851 ^ £2303 : 14 : 6i
recourse to subsidies. A levy of this kind was made in 1496, when the First, of the Geberal RGVcVvouroftho Duchie'of Lim- )
persons appomted to be commissioners for Lancashire, along with the castre (1496) ^ ° "" [ £2303 ; 14 ; 6i
DESCENT OF THE HOUSES OF LANCASTER AND
YORK,
FROM HENRY III. TO THE UNION OF HENRY VII. (OF LANCASTER) WITH ELIZABETH (OF YORK).
Ti TTT „. „ , A l^rn Oct =Eleanor, Snd dau. and coh. of Raymond Bercnger, Count of
? T7nl";i',^"if <*' ^."^1079 ' I VroYcice ; m. Jan. 14, 1236 ; died June 26, 1291.
1, izUo ; oiea Nov. 16. 12*^
(1)
Eleanor, dau. of Ferdinand III.,
King of Castile, m. 1264 ; died
Nov. 27, 1290.
r (2)
= Edwakd I., King of England, = Margaret, dau. of Philip III.,
(2)
born June 17, 1239 ; died July
7, 1307.
King of France ; mar. Sept. '
1299 ; died Feb. 14, 1317.
A„J-' J , ,. , Tpjni.m^Edmund.surnamedCrouchback.^Blanche, Dowager Queen of Na-
'^TfiT:.*'??"- 'S"^,^-//, J™iX Earl of Chester, 1253 ; Earl of varre, and Countess Palatine
de Fortibus, Earl of Albemarle;
mar. April, 1269; d. the same
year, s.p.
Earl -
Lancaster, 1267 ; Earl of Leices-
ter and Steward of England
1274 ; King of Sicily ; b. Jan
16, 1245 ; died 1296.
of Champagne and Bryo, dau.
of Robert, Count of Artois,
brother to St. Louis, King ot
France.
Margaret, mar. Alexander III.,
King of Scotland ; died 1273.
I
Beatrice, born June 25, 1242 ; m.
1260, John, Duke of Brittany,
and Earl of Richmond; died
1272.
Edwaed II., King of England, =Isabel, dau. of
born April 26, 1284 ; deposed
Jan. 25, 1327 ; died Sept. 21,
1327.
Philip IV. of
France ; mar.
Jan. 28, 1808 ;
died Aug. 22,
1367.
I I I I
Eleanor.
Joan.
Margaret.
Mary.
Elizabeth.
Thomas, of Brotherton, Duke of
Norfolk, Earl Marshal; bom
June 1, 1300 ; m. (1) Alice, d.
of Sir Roger Haleys, and (2)
Mary, d. of William, Lord Roos,
■widow of William, Lord Braos,
of Gower; d. 1338; had issue.
Edmund, of Woodstock,
b. Aug. 5, 1301; cr.
Earl of Kent, July 28,
1321 ; beheaded 1329.
Margaret, dau. of John,
Lord Wake, of Liddell;
d. May 21, 13i9.
Thomas Plantagenet, 2nd Earl
of Lancaster and Leicester,
Earl of Lincoln, jure ux. :
Steward of England ; mar.
Alice, d. and s. h. of Henry
de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln ; be-
headed March 22, 1332, s.p.
Henry of Monmouth, restored to=Matid, d.
the Earldom of Leicester, 1324;
3rd Earl of Lancaster and
LJeicester, and Steward of
England on the reversal of
his brother's attainder, 1327 ;
dted 1345.
and h. of Sir
Patrick C ha worth,
Lord of Kidwelly.
John, Lord of Beaufort,
in France ; d. unmar.
Edward IIL, King of England, =Philippa, 3rd dau. of William
born Nov. 13, 1312 ; died June
21, 1377.
Coimt of Holland and Hain-
ault ; mar. Jan. 24, 1328 ; died
Aug. 15, 1369.
John, of Eltham, Earl of Corn-
wall, born Aug. 13, 1315 ; died
unmar. October, 1336.
Joan, mar. David II., King of
Scotland; died, s.p., 1357.
Eleanor, m. Reynold, 1st Duke
of Geldres; died, s.p., Ajjril
22, 1355.
Edmund, 2nd Earl of Kent ; d.
s.p.
John, 3rd Earl of Kent, mar.
Elizabeth, dau. of the Duke of
Juliers ; died 1352, s.p.
I
Joan, the " Fair Maid of Kent,'
mar. (1) Sir Thomas HoU.and,
Earl of Kent, K.G.; and (25
Edward, the "Black Prince,"
by whom she had Richarb II.
King of England ; died July S
1386.
Henry, Earl of Lancaster and = Isabel, dau. of Henry
Edward, Prince of Wales,:
the "Black Prince," born
June 16, 1330 ; cr. Earl of
Chester, May IS, 1333;
Duke of Cornwall, March
13, 1337 ; d. July 8, 1376.
Joan, the "Fair Maid of
Kent," dau. of Edmund of
Woodstock, Earl of Kent ;
w. of Sir Thomas Holland,
K.G.; died July 8, 1386.
0).
WilUam, of Hat-
field ; b. 1336 ;
died young.
I
Lionel, Duke of Clarence, bom
Nov. 29, 1338 ; mar. (1), 1362,
Elizabeth, d. and h. of William
de Burgh, Earl of Ulster ; she
died, 1363, leaving issue ; and
(2), 1368, Violanta, dau. of
Galeazzo, Duke of Milan ; died
s.p.
.(2)
Maud, eldest d. and coh.,
m'. n) Ralph, s. and h.
of Balph, Lord Staf-
ford ; and (2) William,
the Mad Ot. of Haln-
ault, Holland, and
Zealand; died 1362,
B.p.
(1)
Blanche, youngest dau.:
and sole heir to her
father and sister; ni.
May 18, 1359 ; d. 1369.
Edward of Angouleme, b. Anne, d. of Emperor Charles=BiCHABD XL K. of England,=Isabel, 2nd d. of Charles
1365 ■ died yoSng IV. m. Jan. 22, 1382 ; died , b. April 3, 1366 ; resigned VL of France ; m- n^t-
' 1394 s p. the Crown, 1399 ; mur-
' dercd, Feb., 1400, s.p.
J m. Oct.
31, 1396 ; rem. Charles,
Duke of Orleans.
John of Gaunt, cr. Earl
of Richmond, Sept. 20,
1342 ; Duke of Lan-
caster, Nov. 13, 1362 ;
and Earl of Derby,
Lincoln, and Leicester,
1363 ; Steward of Eng-
land, Duke of Aqui-
taine, March 2, 1390 ;
assumed the title of
King of Castile and
Leon, jure MX..- b. June
24, 1340; died Feb. 3,
1399.
(2)
Constance, eldest dau.
and coh. of Peter the
Cruel, King of Castile
and Leon ; mar. 1372 ;
died 1394.
Mary de Bohun, yovmgest:
d. and co-h. of Hum-
phrey, B. of Hereford,
Essex, and Northamp-
ton, Constable of Eng-
land ; mar. 1380 ; died
1394.
Henry of Bolingbroke, Duke of:
Lancaster, styled Earl of Derby
in his father's lifetime ; cr.
Duke of Hereford, Sept. 29,
1397 ; on the deposition of
Rich ird II., 1399, was crowned
King of England by the title
of Hknby IV.; b. about 1366 ;
died March 20, 1413.
= J o a n , dau. of Philippa, mar. Elizabeth, m. (1) John Hoik.
Charles II., K. 1387, John, K. (half brother of Richard II.),
of Navarre, of Portugal; cr. Earl of Huntingdon, 1387 ;
and w. of John died 1415. Duke of Exeter, Sept. 29, 1397;
de Montfort, and (2) Sir John Cornwall,
D. of Brittany; K.G., cr. Baron of Fanhope,
m. 1403; died July 17, 1433, and Baron o
Juno 10, 1437, Millbrook, Jan. 30, 1442 • -
s.p. ms, s.p.
Leicester, Steward of England,
cr. Earl of Derby, March 16,
1337 ; Earl of Lincoln, Aug. 20,
1349; .and Duke of Lancaster,
March 6, 1361 ; K.G.; d. March
24, 1360.
Bellcmont, or Beau-
mont, Lord of Folk-
ingham.
I I I
Blanche.
Maud.
Joan.
Isabel.
Eleanor.
Mary.
Katharine, dau. of Sir
John Payne Roet, of
Hainault, and w. of
Sir Otes Swynford,
Kt., m. Jan. 13, 1395 ;
d. May 10, 1403 (issue
while a concubine).
I
Edmund of Langley, = Isabel, younger dau.
Earl of Cambridge,
1362 ; Duke of York,
Aug. 6, 1385 ; b. June
5, 1341 ; m. (2) Joan,
d. of Thomas Holland,
Earl of Kent, but by
her had no issue ; died
Aug. 1, 1402.
and coh. of Peter
the Cruel, King of
Castile and Leon.
Thomas of Wood-
stock, b. Jan. 7,
1354; cr. Earl of
Buckingham, 1377;
Duke of Glouces-
ter, 1385 ; mar.
Eleanor, dau. of
Humphrey de
Bohun, Earl of
Hereford, Essex,
and Northampton,
and had issue
Humphrey, Earl
of Buckingham,
and 3 daughters ;
d. Sept. 8, 1379.
Mill
Isabel.
Joan.
Blanche.
Mary.
Margaret.
^atharine, mar. Sir John Bcau-^
Henry, Prince fort, cr. E. of
of the Astu-
rias, after-
wards King of
Castile and
Leon.
Hknrv v., Kmg = K
of England, b.
Aug. 9, 1388;
mar. June 3,
1420 : d. Aug.
31, 1422.
(2) I
atharine,=Sir Owen Tudor, Thomas,
.1
Somerset and
Marquis of
Dorset, Cham-
berlain of Eng-
land ; d. April
21, 1410.
I T
Margaret, 3rd dau. of
Thomas, and s. and
coh. of Edmund
Holland, Earl of
Kent; remar.
Thomas, Duke of
Clarence, 2nd son
of Henry IV. ; died
Dec. 31, 1440.
Henry B'eaufort,
Dn. of Wells, 1397;
Bishop of Lincoln,
1398-1405; Bishop
of Winchester,
1405 ; Cardinal of
St. Eusebius, 1426;
Chancellor of Eng-
land, Henry IV.,
v., and VI. ; died
April 11, 1447.
Thomas Beaufort, cr. Earl of
Dorset, 1412 ; Dukaof Exe-
ter, 1416; K.G., Earl of
Harcourt, in Normandy,
Admiral of England, Cap-
tain of Calais, anft Chan,
of England ; m. Margaret,
d. of Sir Thomas Neville,
grandson of Sir Robert
Neville, of Hornhy, co.
Lane. ; died Dec. 27, 1426,
s.p.
Joan, mar. (1) Edward, 2nd Duke
(1)
Anne,
1"
.(2)
Robert, s. of
Robt. Ferrers,
Ld.of Wemme,
county Salop ;
and (2) Ralph
Neville, Earl of
Westmorland ;
died Nov, 13,
1440.
York, K.G.,
cr. E. of Rutland
and Duke of Albe-
marle ; m. Philippa,
2nd d. and co-h. of
John, Ld. Mohun,
of Dunster ; slain
at Agincourt, Oct.
25, 1415, s.p.
dau. of~Richard, cr. Earl=Maud, dau. of Constance, mar.
Thomas, Lord Thos. le Des-
Roger Morti-
mer, Earl of
March, 2nd s.
of Lionel, D.
of Clarence,
3rd son of Ed-
ward Itl.
Earl of Albemarle John, cr. Earl of Kendal and Humphrey, cr. Earl of Pem- Blanche, mar.
youngest dau,
of Charles VI.
of France ; d.
Jan. 3, 1437.
Knight, son of
Meredith ap
Tudor; be-
headed after
the battle of
Mortimer's
Cross, 1461.
and Duke of Clarence ; mar.
Margaret, 3rd dau. of Thomas
Holland, Earl of Kent, and w.
of John Beaufort, Marquis of
Somerset, slain at Baug6,
Easter Eve, 1421, s.p.
Duke of Bedford ; m. (1) April,
1423, Anne, d. of John, Duke
of Burgundy, who died. Nov.
14, 1432 ; and (2) Jaquetta, d.
of Peter of Luxembourg, Ct.
of St. Paul (she re-mar. Sir
Richard WydviUe, and hyhim
was mother of Elizabeth Wyd-
vUle, wife of King Edward
IV.) ; died Sept. 14, 1435, s.p.
broke and Duke of Gloucester ; 1402, to Louis',
mar. (1), m 1422, Jacque- D. of Bavaria.
of William, Duke Philippa, mar.,
1405, to Eric
line, dau.
of Bavaria ; and (2) in 1426,
Eleanor, aau. of Reginald,
i Cobham, of Sterborough ;
Feb. 28, 1447, s.p.
Henry, Earl
Somerset,
Oct., 1401 ;
young.
I
of Jonn, cr. Duke
b. of Somerset,
d. 1443 ; K.G. ; d.
May 27, 1444.
X., King of
Denmark and
Norway; died
s.p.
li i
Margaret, d. of Edward, Earl of Mor- Thomas.
Sir John Beau- t'lin. Earl and Mar-
champ, of qiiis of Dorset, El.
Bletsoe, w. of and Duke of Som-
Sir Oliver St. erset; m. Eleano",
John, Kt. ; re- 2(id dau. and coh.
mar. Lionel, of Richard Beau-
Lord Wellis. ehamp. Earl of
Warwick, and had
issue ; slain at first
battle of St. Al-
bans, May 22, 1455.
of Cambridge,
1414; beheaded
Aug. 6, 1415.
Clifford ;
mar. John,
Lord Latimer.
penser, cr. E.
of Gloucester,
1397;attainted
1399 ; by him
had a son and
two daughters.
Joan, m. James Margaret,m. Richard, 3rd;
I. of Scotland, Thos. Cour- Duke of York,
tenay, 7th
E, of Devon,
and had
issue.
ancestor of
James IV. ,
who m. Mar-
garet, dau. of
Henry VII., of
England.
E. of Cambridge
and Rutland,
Lord Tindale, E.
of Ulster and
March, Lord of
Wigmore, Clare,
Trim, and Con-
naught ; slain at
Wakefield, Dec.
31, 1460.
Henry VI., King of Eng-
land, b. Dec. 6, 1421 ;
d. about May, 1471.
;Margaret of Anjou, d. of
Rcn^, Duke of Anjou,
titular King of Jeru-
salem and Sicily ; mar.
April 22, 1445.
Jasper, 2nd son, er. Earl Owen, 3rdson, tookupon
of Pembroke, 1452 ; D. him the reUgious habit
of Bedford, Oct. 27,
1485 ; Earl Marshal,
1488 ; m. Catherine, d.
of Richard WydviUe,
Earl Rivers, and w. of
Henry Stafford, D. of
Buckingham; d. Dec.
21, 1497, s.p.
in the Abbey of West-
minster.
Edmund Tuu^>i, ^dest:
Bon, cr. Earl of Rich-
mond, Nov. ^3, 1452 ;
d. Nov. 1, 1
Cecilia, youngest Isabel, mar.
dau. of Ralph Hy. Bour-
Ncville, Earl of chier. Earl
Westmorland, by of Essex.
Joan Beaufort,
dau. of John of
Gaunt, Duke of
Lancaster ; died
May 31, 1495,
Margaret, sole d. and h.
of John Beaufort, D.
of Somerset, great
granddaughter of John
of Gaunt, fourth son
of Edward II[.; ro-m.
(2) Sir Henry Stafford,
younger son of Hum-
phrey, D. of Bucking-
ham ; and (3) Thomas,
Lord Stanley, cr. Earl
of Derby ; d. 1509.
Edward, b, April 29, = Elizabeth, d. of Sir Rich. Edmund, Eai-1 of George, Duke of^Isabel, elder d. and Richard III., K. of = Anne, d. and coh.
1441, Earl of March,
on the defeat of Henry
VI. at Towton was
proclaimed King of
England by the title
of Edward IV.; died
April 9, 1483.
WydviUe, Ld. Rivers,
and w. of Sir John
Grey, Lord Ferrers, of
Groby ; mar. May 1,
1464 ; d. 1492.
Rutland, slain
at Wakefield,
Dec. 31, 14)60.
Edward, Duke of Com-=Ann, 2nd d. of Richard,
wall, er. P. of Wales
and E. of Chester ; b.
Oct. 13, 1453; slain
after the battle of
Tewkesbury, May,
1471, s.p.
Earl of Warwick, the
" king maker ; " re-
mar. Richard, Duke
of Gloucester, after-
wards Richard HI.
Tudor, Earl of Richmond =Euibeth, f^^^^^^Z^ "M^y^ss^^fsa"'' = "^'^^
July.26,, 1455; defeated --^j^^*;- g; V; died ^^.^^}^j,^^^^^^^
Feb. 11, 1503. J^elU; and r2Y _
Clarence, Earl of
Warwick and
Salisbury ; said to
have been drowned
in a butt of malm-
sey in the Tower,
Feb. IS, 1478.
coh. of Richard
Neville, E. of War-
wick, b. Sept. 5,
1451 ; m. July 11,
1409; d. Dec. 12,
1476.
England, b. Oct.
21, 1450; cr. Duke
of Gloucester;
elected King, June
IS, 1483 ; slain at
Bosworth, August
22, 1485.
of Rich. Neville,
Earl of Warwick,
the " kingmaker,"
and w. of Edward,
Prince of Wales,
son of Henry VI.;
m. July 12, 1472 ;
d. MaichlG, 1485.
Anne, w. of Henry
Holland, Duke of
Exeter ; d. 1475.
Elizabeth, m. John
de la Pole, Duke
of Suffolk ; d. 1503.
Margaret, mar.
Charles, last Duke
of Burgundy, of
the French line;
d. 1503, s.p.
Henry
born uLtij iju, J.^l^.'" ,
Richard III. at Bosworth, Aug.
22, 1485 ; crowned King of
England by the title of Henry
VII., Oct. 30, 1485 ; d. April
21, 1509.
■• v-iia; and (2), —
tt-yme, of Lnicolnshire.
U?2?'d.eV^'*'l».
A
aqva ,
the SovEBEiaSS ot
England-
I I I
Anne, b. Nov. 2, 14r5;
m. Sir Thos. Howard,
K.G., afterwards Duke
of Norfolk; d. 1513, s.p.
Katharine, m. 1495, Sir
Wm. Courtenay, K.B.,
eldest son of the Earl
of Devon ; died Nov.
1527.
Bridget, b. Nov. 10,1480;
d. a nun, 1517.
Edward V., K.
of England, b.
Nov. 4, 1470;
supposed to
have been
murder ed
June, 1483, s.p.
Richard, Duke of York,
Duke of Norfolk, Earl
of Nottingham, and E.
of Warren,; b. Aug. 17,
1472 ; m. J^n. 15, 1478,
Anne, onlt d. and h.
of John, Lord Mow-
bray, Dukdof Norfolk,
supposed to have been
murdered with Ms
brother Edward V . ,
June, 1483,rs.p.
George, Duke of
Bedford, died
young.
Edward, E. of Warwick,
last heir male of the
Plantagenets; be-
headed, Nov. 28, 1499.
(With him ended the
line of Plantagenet,
345 years after it had
eome to the English
throne.)
Margaret, cr. Countess of Salis-
bury, 1513 ; m. Sir Rich. Pole,
K.G.; beheaded May 27, 1541.
'I
Henry Pole, Lord Mon-
tague, beheaded Jan.
9, 1539.
Reginald Pole, Dean
of Exeter, Archbp.
of Canterbury, and
Cardinal ; d. Nov,
17, 1558.
(OF LANCASTEK) WITPI ELIZABETH
(1) , , Ti jmar. Alexander III.,
Eleanor, dau. of Ford, ^ ^^ ^j^^ 1273.
King of Castile, m.
Nov. 27, 1290.
I
Bcatriee, born June 25, 1242 ; m.
1200, John, Duke of Brittany,
and Earl of Richmond; died
1272.
^ ' TT firy of Monmouth, restored to=Maud, d. and h. of &ir
Edward II., t ^■'Earldom of Leicester, 1324; Patrick Ohaworth,
born Apni . , „ , , T,„„„s..t„r and Lord of Kidwelly.
T"" i^P'^Lw ^Earl of Lancaster' and
Jan. 25, 132j^j^ggjg^_ „^^ Steward of
Ingland on the reversal of
ia brother's attainder, 1327 ;
led 1345.
1327.
I
John, Lord of Beaufort,
In France ; d. unmar.
Edward III., 1
born Nov. 13'
21, 1377. i
Henry, Earl of Lancaster and=Isabel, dau. of Henry
Leicester, Steward of England, "-" *■ — "-—
cr. Earl of Derby, March 16,
1337 ; Earl of Lincoln, Aug. 20,
1349; and Duke of Lancaster,
March 6, 1351 ; K.G.; d. March
24, 1360.
Bellemont, or Beau-
mont, Lord of Folk-
ingham.
I I I
Blanche.
Maud.
JoaTJ.
Isabel.
Eleanor.
Mary.
I (3)
uHw-irH Prince of ■Wa^^^^^''^"°6' ^^^- ^^ ^^
^ the "BlLk Prince.' b Jphn Payne Root, o
T „„ ni lunn • i-r Ear Hamault, and w. of
SJr;'May Ts.^" ^ix Ote^^ Swynford
Duke of CornwaU, Ma J^^";,^* .'^.^'';3/i5?,^ '
13, 1337 ; d. July 8, 137i ^^^''^ l^, U03 (issue
xo, i.oo, , « J J while a concubine).
Edmund of Langley,
Earl of Cambridge,
1362 ; Duke of York,
Aug. 6, 13S5 ; b. June
5, 1341; m. (2) Joan,
d. of Thomas Holland,
Earl of Kent, but by
her had no issue ; died
Aug. 1, 1402.
Edward of Angouleme,
1365 ; died young.
Isabel, younger dau.
and coh. of Peter
the Cruel, King of
Castile and Leon.
Thomas of Wood-
stock, b. Jan. 7,
1354; cr. Earl of
B uckingham ,1377;
Duke of Glouces-
ter, 1385 ; mar.
Eleanor, dau. of
Humphrey de
Bohun, Earl of
Hereford, Essex,
and Northampton,
and had issue
Humphrey, Earl
of Buckingham,
and 3 daughters ;
d. Sept. 8, 1379.
Islbil.' I
Joan.
Blanche.
Mary.
Margaret.
(1) I
Mary de Bohun, youngest; Earl of Joal .
d. and co-h. of Hum-;ofExe- Robert, s. of
piirey, E. of Hereford, Earl of Robt. Ferrers,
Essex, and Northamp- -mandy, Ld.of Womme,
ton, Constable of Eng- id, Cap- county Salop ;
land ; mar. 1380 ; died d Chan. and (2) Ralph
1394. argaret, Neville, Earl of
Neville, Westmorland ;
Robert died Nov. 13,
by, CO. 1440.
■27, 1426,
I (1)
Joan, mar. (1) Edward, 2nd Duke Anne,
* OF York, K.G.,
cr. E. of Rutland
and Duke of Albe-
marle; m.Philippa,
2nd d. and co-h. of
John, Ld. Mohun,
of Dunster ; alain
at Agincourt, Oct.
25, 1415, s.p.
I
(2) I
dau. of=Richani,cr.Earl=Maud, dau. of Constance, mar.
Thomas, Lord Thos. le Des-
Clifford
Roger Morti-
mer, Earl of
March, 2nd s.
of Lionel, D.
of Clarence,
3rd son of Ed-
ward IIL
I (1) I
Henry V., King=K a thvard, Earlof Mor- Thomas.
I
of Cambridge,
1414; beheaded
Aug. G, 1415.
mar. John,
Lord Latimer.
penser, cr. E.
of Gloucester,
1397; attainted
1399 ; by him
had a son and
two daughters.
of England, b.
Aug. 9, 1388;
mar. June 3,
1420 ; d. Aug.
31, 1422.
younin, Earl and Mar-
of Cbis of Dorset, El.
of Fid Duke of Som-
Jan. -setim. Eleanor,
id dau. and coh.
: Richard Beau-
lamp. Earl of
'^arwick, and had
sue ; slain at first
ittle of St. Al-
ms, May 22, 1455.
Joan, m. James Margarct,m. Richard, 3rd
J. of Scotland, Thos. Cour- Duke of York,
tenay, 7th
E. of Devon,
and had
issue.
ancestor of
James IV.,
who m. Mar-
garet, dau. of
Henry VIL, of
England,
E. of Cambridge
and Rutland,
Lord Tindale, E.
of Ulster and
March, Lord of
■\Vigmore, Clare,
Trim, and Con-
naught ; slain at
Wakefield, Dec.
31, 1460,
Cecilia, youngest Isabel, mar.
dau. of Ralph Hy. Bour-
Nevillc, Earl of chier.Earl
Westmorland, by of Essex.
Joan Beaufort,
dau. of John of
Gaunt, Duke of
Lancaster ; died
May 31, 1495.
HENfiYVI.,KingofEng-i.lof George, Duke of = Isabel, elder d. and Richard HL, K. of=Anne, d. and coh. Anne. w. of Henry
lana, d. .uec. o, it'H. i.iain Clarence, Earl of "^r,^ "f THr.iinvH "Rno-irtTiH i^ n^f /^f Rir.li TJo^m« tj-,ii j t»..u- _«
d. about May, 1471.
eld,
60.
Warwick and
SaUsbury ; said to
have been drowned
in a butt of malm-
sey in the Tower,
Feb. IS, 1478.
coh. of Richard
Neville, E. of War-
wick, b. Sept. 5,
1451; m. July 11,
1469; d. Dec. 12,
1476.
England, b. Oct.
21, 1450; cr. Duke
of Gloucester ;
elected King, Juno
18, 1483 ; slain at
Bosworth, August
22, 1485.
of Rich. Neville,
Earl of Warwick,
the "kingmaker,"
and w. of Edward,
Priuce of Wales,
son of Henry VI.;
m. July 12, 1472 ;
d. MajchlG, 14S5.
Holland, Duke of
Exeter ; d. 1475.
Ehzabeth, m. John
de la Pole, Duke
of Suffolk ; d. 1503.
Margaret, mar.
Charles, last Duke
of Burgundy, of
the Fi-ench line;
d. 1503, s.p.
Edward, Duke of Com-se of York,
wall, cr. P. of Walesorfolk, Earl
and E. of Chester ; b. lam, andE.
Oct. 13, 1453 ; slain b. Aug. 17,
after the battle ofan. 15, 1478,
Tewkesbury, May,*' d. and h.
1471, e.p. ^ord Mow-
of Norfolk,
3 have been
1 with ills
dward V.,
s.p.
I
George, Duke of
Bedford, died
young.
Edward, E, of Warwick,
last heir male of tho
Plantagenets; be-
headed, Nov. 28, 1499.
(With him ended tho
line of Plantagenet,
345 years after it hud
come to tho English
throne.)
Margaret, cr. Countess of Salis-
bm-y, 1613 ; m. Sir Rich. Pole,
K.G.; beheaded May 27, 1541.
Henry Polo, Lord Mon-
tague, beheaded Jan.
9, 1539.
Reginald Pole, Dean
of Exeter, Archbp.
of Canterbury, and
Cardinal; d. Nov.
17, 1558.
f^HAP. 51. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 195
obvious to entitle him to the dignity of the calendar, and the negotiation was abandoned in
despair A Mb._ m the Harleian Collection/ found amongst the papers of Fox, the martyrologist,
entitled " De iMimcuhs Beatissimi Mllitis Xpi Henrici Vj," consisting of about 150 folio closely-
written pa^es, contains an account of a vast number of reputed miracles performed by this
monarch, ot which the following may be taken as specimens : —
''HowRichardWhytbyPriest of Mount St. Michaels was long ill of a Fever, & at last miraculously cured by iourneying
to the Tomb of Henry VI. [Folio 113 b.] jjj5
" How John called Robynson, who had been blind ten yeara, recovered his sight by visiting Henry's Tomb." [Folio 97 b ]
" How Henry Lancaster, afflicted with Fever, was miraculously cured in three days by the appearance of that blessed
Prince Henry VI. in the sky." [Folio 98.] j j rr
'■ How a girl called Joan Knyght, who was nearly killed with a bone sticking in her throat, and considered dead, on tl e
bystanders invoking Henry VI., vomited the bone & was restored to health." [Folio 119 6.]
One of the last acts of the last Parliament of Henry VII. was to answer a demand for two
"reasonable aids ; " the one for making a knight of his eldest son Arthur, " now deceased," and the
other for the marriage of his eldest daughter Margaret (from which marriage sprang the Stuart
dynasty in England) to the King of Scotland, and also for the " great and inestimable charges "
which he had incurred for the defence of the realm. Parliament having duly considered these
demands, and beinw fully aware of the difficulty and discontent which would arise from the aids
being levied according to the ancient tenures of the kingdom, compounded for them by presenting
the king with forty thousand pounds, towards which sum the contribution for Lancashire, and the
commissioners employed in its collection, were as follows : Thomas Boteler, Knyght ; John Bothe,
Knyght; Pears Lee, Knyght; Richard Bold, Knyght; John Sowthworth, Knyght; Thomas
Laurence, Knyght ; William Thornborough, Esquyer ; and Cutberd Clyfton, Esquyer — £318 2s. 3fd.
The death of the king, at Richmond Palace (April 21st, 1509), put the usual termination to the
accumulation of wealth. "He left,'' says Lord Verulam, "mostly in secret places, vnder his own
Key and keeping at Richmond, treasure of store, that amounted (as by Tradition it is reported to
have done) vnto the Summe of neare Eighteene hundred thousand pounds Sterling ; a huge Masse
of Money, even for these times."
From the time of Henry VII. the distinction of the Roses, as a badge of party, fell entirely
into disuse. The origin of this distinction may be traced back to the time of John of Gaunt, whose
device was a red rose, and Edmund of Langley, whose device was a white rose. " These two factions,"
says Selden, " afterwards, as for cognisance of their descent and inclinations, were by the same
flowers distinguished," till the white rose and the red were united, on the marriage of Henry VII.
with the Princess Elizabeth.
CHAPTER XII.
Tiie Sixteenth Century— Henry YIII. ascends the Throne— Invasion of England by the Scots— Battle of Flodden Field- The King's
Letter of Thanks to Sir Edward Stanley, &c.— Lords-Lieutenant first appointed— The Reformation— Religious Persecution-
Visitation of the Monasteries— Dissolution of the Lesser Monasteries— Insurrections produced by the Dissolution of the
Monasteries— The Pilgrimage of Grace— Dispersion of the Rebel Army— They reassemble, &c.— Finally dispersed- Renewed
Rebellion in the North — Execution of the Abbot of Whalley and Others — Dissolution of the Larger Monasteries-
First Publication of the Bible in English— Excommunication of the King— List of Lancashire Monasteries— Their Revenues
administered by the Duchy — Aggregate Value of the Dissolved Monasteries — Bishopric of Chester, &c., erected— List of
Chantries in Lancashire— Decayed Towns in Lancashire— Privilege of Sanctuary— The King's Death.— a.d. 1509 to 1547.
HE sixteenth century, during almost the whole of which period the throne of
England was occupied by Henry VIII. and his children, affords abundant
materials for both the general and the local history of the county of Lancaster.
A great religious movement, the seeds of which, under the fostering influence of
John of Gaunt, were sown in the fourteenth century, and moistened in
succeeding ages by the blood of the followers of Wycliffe, attained its maturity
in the reign of Henry VIII. The great national revolution was doubtless due, in
some degree, to the arrogance and oppression of the church in its expressed form,
ecclesiasticism, which provoked an English sense of wrong, and a consequent determination to resist
in material things, but still more to the increase of knowlege among the laity consequent upon the
invention of printing. About the year 1450 the first printed Bible appeared in Latin, and thus a
mighty enemy to despotism and superstition was raised. The change in religious thought gradually
o-ained strength and power, imtil it had so leavened the mind of the nation as to prepare for those
chano-es in the teaching and ritual of the national church, the meaning of which is tersely
comprehended in the one word that identifies that memorable epoch^ — the Reformation. Monastic
life had become corrupted, and irregularity and self-indulgence generally prevailed. The heads of
the religious houses had succeeded in obtaining for their establishments a large portion of the
rectorial endowments ; and hence, in a very many instances, the parishes were left to the spiritual
care of vicars, who were willing to accept the small tithes as a miserable means of subsistence. As
a rule they belonged to the inferior clergy, men with little learning and less piety — " mass-priests,
who could read their breviaries and no more " — and who, in their lives, oftentimes manifested the
gross habits of the class from which they sprang. The services of the church, too, were read in an
unknown tongue, so that the common people (to use the words of the preface to the Book of
Common Prayer), " heard with their ears only, and their heart, spirit, and mind were not edified
thereby ;" whilst to the comparatively few who were able to understand, " the manifold
changes of the service " were so perplexing that " to turn the book only was so hard and intricate
a matter that many times there was more business to find out what should be read than to read
it when it was found out." Observances and practices had crept into the services of the
church which were unknown in primitive times, preaching was neglected, and the religious
training of the young was but little cared for. Copies of the Scriptures were so costly as to be
beyond the reach of the great mass, and consequently they were left to glean such little knowledge
of Holy Writ as they could from the scenes and incidents — the " stories," as they were commonly
called — painted on the walls of the churches, and from the so-called miracle-plays performed
therein for their edification and amusement.
The ancient habit of implicit obedience to authority was passing away, and earnest men
were beginnin^^ to think and to talk of the principles of government both in Church and State.
Their " lack of faith," as Fisher phrased it, weakened their belief in the doctrine of infallibility,
and led them to seek a higher guide to duty than the absolute direction of an ecclesiastic, so that
when Parliament was prorogued in December, 1529, after effecting certain reforms in the church,
their exultation was so great that, as Mr. Froude says, " lay England celebrated its exploits as a
CHAP. xii. THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE.
197
natural victory. _ In 1533 the English Parliament passed the Statute of Appeals,' repudiating the
authority and jurisdiction claimed by the sovereign-pontiff, and thus the connection betweeS the
Church of England and that of Rome was dissolved. Being free from the control and interference
of the Holy See the church advanced step by step to the rejection of all those doctrines associated
with the office and pretensions of the pontiff. Shortly afterwards the Bible was ordered to be
translated and printed m English, and a copy was directed to be set up publicly in every church
throughout the kingdom, to be read by all who pleased, without hindrance or discouragement;
and thus a spirit ot inquiry was diffused among the people.
The real character of Cromwell's ecclesiastical policy was more clearly seen in the attitude he
assumed towards the monastic orders. The Lollard cry for their suppression had died away, but
monasticism had relaxed its discipline, the monks had outlived the work they were created to
perform, and a general carelessness prevailed in regard to the religious objects of their trust. In
1535 the conflict between monarchy and monasticism began ; the visitation of the religious houses—
the preparatory step to their suppression— was followed in the succeeding year by the insurrection
under the northern monks, known as "The Pilgrimage of Grace." A Lancashire man, John
Paslew, theAbbot of Whalley, appeared in the foremost rank of this perilous enterprise, and when
the expedition ended in the discomfiture of its promoters, Paslew was arraigned at Lancaster on the
charge of high treason, condemned, and hanged in a field called the " Holehouses," at Wiswall,
opposite the house of his birth, and almost within sight of his own monastery. The houses of
Whalley and Furness were the first to bow before the blast, but the other conventual establish-
ments were soon involved in the common ruin, the whole of them being doomed to suppression
before the close of the year 1540.
The Reformation is commonly attributed to Henry VIII., but it had really little concern with
his personal character or the motives of his conduct. For his own purposes he abolished the
iurisdiction claimed by papal bishops, and made his own courts supreme ; and to replenish his
exhausted exchequer he plundered the religious houses of their endowments, and thus
unconsciously prepared the way for the doctrines which his successor maintained and protected.
He accomphshed all that such an instrument could be expected to do : he rooted up the weeds and
prepared the ground for the seed sown by his successor. In this way he effected the rough work
of the Reformation, but at his death " he left a church which was little but a ruinous heap, its
revenues dissipated, its ministers divided, its doctrines unsettled, its laws obsolete, impracticable, and
unadapted to the great changes it had sustained."^ The confiscation of the monastic estates enabled
many of the Lancashire gentry, as well as those in other parts of the kingdom, to make considerable
additions to their patrimonial lands on very reasonable terms. The Stanleys were not negligent of
the golden opportunity, and the Braddylls, the Asshetons, the Holcrofts, the ffarringtons, the
Hollands, and many other families, added largely to their hereditary possessions. With the wealth
which poured into his coffers the king was enabled (in part fulfilment only of his promise) to found
six new bishoprics, one of which was established at Chester, creations that could not fail materially
to affect the ecclesiastical institutions of that county, which previously had been included in
the more remote see of Lichfield. The persecutions on account of the ever-varying religion of the
governing power created a degree of public excitement that has seldom had a parallel in British
history; in the north of England the impression produced by these changes was deeper than
in the south ; and in Lancashire, where the recusants were more numerous than in any other
county, both the clergy and the laity awaited the result of the contest of the rival churches of
England and Rome with an anxiety fully commensurate with the important interests it involved.
Nor were the military and naval events of this period less interesting. The battle of Flodden
Field, the wars with France,, the almost incessant contests with Ireland, and the menaced invasion
of this country by Spain, which terminated in the destruction of the "Invincible Armada," filled
the whole nation with military ardour; and the ample ofiicial correspondence between the
lieutenancy in the county of Lancaster and the successive ministers of state'' shows that this
county took its full share in the great events by which the destiny of the nation was fixed and its
independence for ever secured. . • • .i
No prince ever ascended the throne of England under circumstances more auspicious than
• The preamble to this statute declaring the independence of the also institute and furnished by the goodness and sufferance ot Almighty
BOvereSitv of Enrfaml wesSt^ a fine exarnple of the strength of the God with plenary, whole and entire power, pre-emmenoe authority,
sovereignty ot Jinglana, preseois a ""'' ";"h"'5;„,.„„ -nd Tii-oroua as our prorogation, and jurisdiction, to render and yield justice and final deter-
Enghsh language, and is «?J'^^«,f^'" r'^^fe^t'L™ ^by dfTOrs sundry mination to all manner of folk, residents or subjects, within this his
early mother tongue could make it J^^^^^^^^Jy '''^ar^^^^^ realm, in all causes, matters, debates, and contentions happening to
extessed'^that ttL°Talm of tSd is an empto ; and so S been occur,' insurge, or b^gln within the hmits thereof, without restraint or
the dignity and royal estate of 'Jj^ '"^.f "^^"™™ „£ peoprdivUed ' See Mr, Harland's LancaMre LiAuenmicy under the Tudors, &c. (vols.
T^Z^s^'^n'iC'^tZFtMU^^i^^nit^^rT^tf^^^^^ 49 and 60 of the Chetham Society's series).
owing to bear, next to God, a natural and humble obedience ; he being
198 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xii.
those which attended the elevation of Henry YIII. At peace Avith all foreign nations, in the
enjoyment of an undisputed title to the throne, with a treasury full almost to repletion, and in
possession of the affections of his people, while himself yet " in the flower of pleasant youth," he
had nothing to wish for, and nothing to dread, except the impetuosity of his own passions. His
venerable o-randmother, the Countess of Richmond and Derby, had survived her son Henry VII.,
and offered^her valuable council and assistance in the formation of the young king's cabinet, at the
head of which stood the Archbishop of Canterbury. The countess lived to see the hope of her old
age married to Catherine, daughter of Ferdinand of Arragon — the " virgin widow " of his deceased
brother Arthur, and died soon after the consummation of that unhappy union, a union that Henry,
under pressure from his advisers, reluctantly entered into on account of the doubtful position of
that princess, and the questions of legitimacy that might in later times arise, notwithstanding that
the contract of marriage had, in 1503, been legalised by a Papal decree.^ The coronation took
place at Westminster on the 24th June, 1509, and there is preserved a copy of the coronation
oath, altered and interlined by Henry's hand, which is interesting as showing the tendency of his
mind, even at that early period of his reign, to assert the independence of the crown in matters of
church government."
A few years served to engage the king in a war with France, and to awaken the dormant
feelings of hostility entertained towards England by the Scottish nation. To prosecute his
operations with success, James IV., King of Scotland, on the 22nd August 1513, while Henry was
encamped before Teronenns, passed the English frontier west of Berwick, at the head of fifty
thousand men,' and menaced the adjoining shores with his invading army. After being invested
for six days the castle of Norham surrendered, and shortly afterwards three other border strongholds
— Wark, Etall, and Ford — yielded. The report of this plundering raid fired the ardour of the
English people. Large levies, principally of the tenantry of the great landed proprietors, were raised
in the northern counties, which were placed, by the direction of the queen regent,* under the
command of Thomas Howard, Earl of Surrey." The Lancashire men made a ready response when
the war-note Avas sounded. The knights and esquires summoned their retainers and burnished
and made ready their arms and armour. As the rhyming chronicle has it, they mustered —
" From Warton unto Warrington,
From Wigan unto Wyersdale,
From Weddicar to Waddington,
From Ribchester unto Rochdale."
The forces consisted chiefly of archers, the "good yew bow" and the "clothyard shaft," of which
latter there was a notable manufactory at Warrington," being the staple weapons. After mustering
under the banners of their respective leaders, they marched, as Ave learn from an old rhyme, first
to Hornby Castle, Avhere, Avith the men from Cheshire, they placed themselves under the command
of Sir Edward Stanley, a younger son of the Earl of Derby, and then advanced to join the forces of
the Earl of Surrey, Avhich, with these additions, numbered tAventy-six thousand men. The earl
having marched from Pontefract by the route of Bolton Castle, the tAvo armies met on the field of
Flodden, near the foot of the Cheviot Hills, on the margin of the vale of TAveed. The Earl of
Surrey, having divided his forces into tAvo parts, confided the vanguard to the command of his son,
' The man-iago with a brother's wife was contrary to the law of the by the righteous Christiiin kings of England to the Holy Church of Eng-
Church of Rome, and the children of such a marriage were declared to be land, not prejudicial to his jurisdiction and diprnity royal."— 0.
illegitimate. The marriage contract with Catheiine was signed in 1603, " The official account, written by the lord admiral, says eighty
when Henry was under twelve years of .age. In January, 1605. six years thousand ; but numbers of these were, no doubt, the hangers-on of the
before the birth of Anne Boleyn, at the instigation of Wareham, the army, who had accompanied their friends to partake of tlieir expected
Archbishop of Canterbury, on the plea that the marriage was contrary to plunder.
the law of God, and that the issue could not consequently succeed to the * The king was at that time personally engaged in the wars in France,
Crown, and by his father's command, Henry declared before a public while Catherine, emulating the example of Queen Philippa (see chap. ix.
notary^ that whereas, being under age, he was married to the Princess p. 144), was left to repel tho Scotch invaders.
Catherine ; now, on coming of age, he protested against the marriage as » In August, 4 Henry VIII. (1012), the king, confiding in the loyalty,
Illegal, and annulled it. ' This declaration is preserved among the MSS. wisdom, valour, industry, experience, and integrity of Thomas Howard,
in the Cotton Library (Vitcl, v. xii.). After the death of Heury VII. the Earl of Surrey, Treasurer and Marshal of England, commissioned him to
council ot Henry VIII., for reasons of state, and to retain a large dowry raise and muster all persons able to be,ar arms in the counties of York,
m this country, induced him to renew the marriage, which he did six Northumberland, Cumberland, Westmoreland, and Lancashire ; to arm
weeks alter his accession to the throne, beng then eighteen years of age. them, review thom, and to march thorn where he saw necessary, to
Ihehrstrealdiflicultylnconnectionwith the marriage occurred in April, suppress the attempts of tho Scots (Rymor's Fcedera, v. xiii., p. 359).
1j27. a treaty of marriage had been drawn up in December of the This has been commonly interpreted into a commission to the same
previous year between Mary, the daughter of Henry, afterwards Queen Thomas How.ard, as Duke of Norfolk, in the following year, to he Lord-
Mary, and the Duke oi Orleans, son of the King of France. Tho Bishop Lieutenant of Lancashire, but so far as any reference can be made he
ot larbes, the J''rench kings ambassador in England, represented to his would seem to have been the king's lord-lieutenant "of the North," for
master that, as the marriage itself was illegal, Mary was illegitimate, and lords-lieutenant for counties were not instituted until the 3 Edward VI.
could never succeed to the throne. This put an end to the contract ; and Strype in his Annals (v. iii., p. 278) says that in 1649 "began the making
thus the question was brought to a practical issue, and, acting under tho of tho lords-lieutenants of the counties ; whose commissions bear date
advice of Cardinal Wolsey and Longland, his confessor, who both declared July 24, 3 Edward VI. (1649), .as I find it in a clerk of the crown's book in
the union sinful Henry was induced to examine .again into the question the Cotton Library. "-C.
" , iJ?* *y S' '"" m^irriage.— C. « jur. Beamont says "the p.atriarch Jenkyns, in his old age, used to
i- H""??" i!" original form are: " The king shall swear at his tell how in 1513 he carried a whole load of arrows to the army near
coronation that he shall keep and maintain the right and the liberties of Northallerton, some of which were perhaps manufactured at Warrington,
Uie Holy Church of old time, granted by the righteous Christian kings of where, as we know from the parish register, they continued to be made
England. The copy interlined reads: " Tlio king shall swear that he down to the year 1613, exactly a century later."— Annals of tlie lord! cf
shaU keep and maintain the lawful right and liberties of old time granted W^irrin(/toii, p. 384.— 0.
CHAP. XII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
199
Lord Howard, the lord admiral, and the rear he headed himself. Sir Edmund Howard
commanded the right wing and Sir Edward Stanley the left wing of the English army. On
leading his followers to the Held, the earl exclaimed, " Now, good fellows, do like Englishmen this
day !" The right wing of the vanguard, under Sir Edmund Howard, overwhelmed by a large body
of Scottish spearmen, commanded by Lord Home, narrowly escaped annihilation by the timely
arrival of the Bastard Heron, with a numerous body of outlaws, Avho maintained a dubious contest,
till the Lord Dacre, with a reserve of fifteen thousand horse, charged the spearmen, and put them
to flight. The English vanguard, under the lord admiral, fought like heroes, and, after slaying
the Earls of Errol and Crawford, dispersed their forces in every direction. The commanders of the
conflicting arnaies, the Earl of Surrey and the Scottish king, with the chosen warriors of their
respective armies, were opposed to each other. James fought on foot, surrounded by thousands of
his men, cased in armour, which resisted the arrows of the English archers. Marching with a
steady step towards the royal standard of England, he conceived this trophy of victory to be
almost within his grasp, and was congratulating himself on the glories that awaited him, when Sir
Edward Stanley, leading the left wing of the English army, composed principally of the Lancashire,
Cheshire, and Yorkshire levies, defeated the Earls of Argyle and Lennox, and turned the fortune of
the day. The Scottish ranks, harassed by the murderous discharges of the archers, and the
tremendous blows of the bill-men, fell into disorder ; when Stanley, seizing the moment of panic,
chased them over the hill, and, wheeling to the right, led his followers against the rear of the main
Scotch army under King James, and thus placed him between two fires. In vain did the gallant
monarch endeavour to penetrate the hostile ranks by which he was environed : the moment of his
destiny was at hand, and he fell a lifeless corpse upon the field, within a spear's length of the feet
of the Earl of Surrey. The battle, which began about five o'clock in the afternoon of the 9th
September 1513, terminated at night-fall, and the pursuit was continued for only four miles. On
the part of the Scotch, ten thousand warriors were slain, amongst whom were not only the king,
but his natural son the Archbishop of St. Andrews, with two other bishops, two abbots, twelve
earls, thirteen barons, five eldest sons of barons, and fifty other men of distinction,' including the
French ambassador and the king's secretary. " Scarce a family of eminence," says Scott, " but has
an ancestor killed at Flodden." Six thousand horses were taken, with the whole park of the
Scotch artillery, and about eight thousand prisoners. The English loss was very severe, the
number slain being estimated at seven thousand, but the men of rank who fell were not nearly so
numerous. There is perhaps no event in the annals of the county that has been the subject of so
much exultation on the part of Lancashire men, or that has formed the groundwork of so many
traditions and formed so fruitful a theme for ballad Avriters as the victory of Flodden Field. That
their favourite leader. Sir Edward Stanley, should, by his skill and courage, have contributed so
essentially to turn the fate of the day, and that those other gallant knights, Sir William Molyneux
of Sefton, Sir WiUiam Norris of Speke, Sir Richard Ashton of Middleton, " young Sir John
Stanley," Sir Thomas Boteler of Bewsey, Sir Bryan Tunstall of Thurland, and_ Holt of Stubley,
should have co-operated so efficiently Avith their leader, will long be mentioned with praise by those
who cherish the memory of gallant deeds at arms, and combine with them the localities of the
respective contingents. The records of the day are full of the achievements of the heroes of Flodden
Field, which are celebrated in prose and in rhyme ; and an ancient MS. in the Harleian collection
in the British Museum,' records these valiant deeds in a strain of high eulogmm. The poem is m
nine fits, or cantos, occupying sixty-six closely-written quarto pages, and opens with the following
argument : —
"Heare ia the Famous historie or Songe called Floodau Field ; in it shalbe declare how whyle King Henrie tte Eighth was
in France, the King of Scoots called James, the Fowerth of that name, Invaided the Realme of England, And how he was
Incountred w". all att a place called Branton, on Floodan Hill, By the Earle of Surrey Live Tennant General for the Kinge, w"> the
Sonne Lord Thomas Haworth, the great Admirall of England w"' the Helpe of dyvers Lords & Knights in the North Couptrie, As
the Lord Dakers of the North, the Lord Scrope of Bolton, w'" the moat Corragious Knight S' Edward Standley, whoe for his prowis
and valliantnes shewed att the said Battell, was made Lord Mount Eagle as the Sequell deolareth.
The poet narrates the progress of the battle, and ends with celebrating the victory. _ After the
battle the victorious army penetrated into Scotland ; and Speke Hall, the seat ol Sir William
Norris, has ever since been enriched with trophies of this memorable campaign, brought from the
1 T.nvrt Thomnj. TTnw-ii-d's official account. ■■■ This is the earliest known transcript of the ballad, and the date of
= Harl MSS No ™26. "vonge Joto Stanley "-"that child so the MS. is about 1636. Mr. Henry Gray has. lately P"bl.«hed a .orsion of
Voune " as Weber rails him in one of his ballads-was an illegitimate the boUad " taken from an ancient manuscript which was traiiscnbed by
s™ of James StenlwWaSen of Manchester and afterwards Bishop Mr. Eichard Guy, late schoolmaster of Ingleton Yorkshire." It is accom-
0? E?y. He commandera coStfngcnt composed mainly of troops ralseS panied by annotations and various readings and 'f^dtn torn Ken
in Lancashire and Cheshire by his father, who is said to have "put in notes, with a ist of the Craven men who fought at Flodden, fiom the pen
more power than any other prelate," and contributed materially to the of Mr. Chas. A. federer.- 1..
victory at Flodden, receiving, as the reward of his bravery, the honour
of knighthood on the field.— C.
200 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xii.
palace of the Scottish king. The EngUsh monarch, who was then in France,' accompanied by
Henry, Earl of Derby, and engaged in the great expedition in which Tournay was won, in the
ardour of his gratitude, on his return to England in November, addressed a congratulatory letter
to Sir Edward Stanley. Similar letters, mutatis mutandis, were sent to Sir William Molyneux,
Sir William Norris, and Sir Richard Ashton, and, as a still further mark of his Majesty's gratitude^
Sir Edward Stanley, who was the fifth son of Thomas, Earl of Derby, was created Lord Monteagle'
in allusion to the family crest. The Earl of Surrey was restored to the family title of Duke of
Norfolk, while his son, Lord Howard, was honoured with the title of the Earl of Surrey. Wolsey,
then the king's favourite minister, was created Bishop of Lincoln ; and Lord Herbert obtained a
step in the peerage as Earl of Worcester.
About this period, the ancient commission of array, for levying and organising troops in the
different counties of the kingdom, to guard against foreign invasion and domestic tumult, began to
be superseded by a new local authority, called the lieutenancy," at the head of which, in this
county, was placed the Duke of Norfolk, who was succeeded in the office by the Earl of Shrewsbury,
and subsequently by Edward, Earl of Derby ; and although not a hereditary honour, the office of
lord-lieutenant of the county palatine of Lancaster has been filled almost ever since its institution
by the head of the Stanley family.
The baneful connection formed by Scotland and France served again to embroil our northern
neighbours in a fresh war with England, and preparations were made for invading the northern
counties. To repel this invasion a royal mandate was issued to the high sheriff of the county of
Lancaster, commanding him to make proclamation in these words : —
" Forasmuche as the King'a Highnes has learned of an intention to invade England at or before the beginning o£ September,
formed by the Scots at the instigation of the French king ; his grace, therefore, by advice of his counsel, charges all and singular
his subjects, of whatsoever rank, &c., between the ages of 60 and 16, inhabitants within the county of Lancaster, that from henceforth
they, uppon oon Houres Warnyng, be in arredynes defensiblie arrayed with Harnes and Wepyns apte and mete for the Warres, to
attend the Earl of Shrewsbury, hia Lieutent general of the North against Scotland," &c. ^
The Scotch, sensible at length of the injustice of being so frequently called upon to sacrifice
their own peace and prosperity to foreign interests, expressed their reluctance to advance into
England ; and the Duke of Albany, brother to James III., who had assumed the regency, and
under whose command the French auxiliaries and the Scottish chiefs were to fight, observing this
disinclination and being told that a great force was advancing from England, concluded a truce
with Lord Dacre, warden of the English marches,^ which did not, however, prevent Scotland from
being entered by the Earl of Surrey, 1522, at the head of his army, who ravaged Merse and
Teviotdale, and burnt the town of Jedburgh. From these terrible inflictions the Scotch were glad
to escape by an alliance with England instead of France, not without a remote expectation of a
contract of marriage between Lady Mary, heir-presumptive to the throne of England, and the
young Scotch monarch, at that time in his nonage.
The seeds of the Reformation, which had been sown in the time of John of Gaunt, Duke of
Lancaster, cherished by the Lollards in succeeding ages, and occasionally moistened by their blood,
attained to maturity in the time of Henry VIl'l. Martin Luther, a monk of the order of St.
Augustine, and a professor in the university of Wittemberg, had raised the standard of reformation
in Saxony, by preaching and writing against the indulgences granted, with so lavish a hand, by the
Church of Rome, and his works had attracted sufficient notice to induce the King of England to
enter the polemical fists against him. Henry sent his answer in reply to Luther, whom he
denominated " the arch heretic," to Leo X., and his Holiness was so much gratified by its perusal,
either from the strength of the argument or the dignity of the advocate, that he rewarded the
royal controversialist with the appellation of "Defender of the Faith,'"' by bull dated October 11,
1|21- The fickleness of the king's affections induced him, soon afterwards, to put the friendship
of the head of the church to a severe test. Doubts had been suggested by the scrupulous as to the
legality of the king's marriage with Catherine of Arragon, the widow of his brother ; and it was
held by them that the degree of consanguinity was such as to vitiate the marriage. These scruples,
Tri„,i',i™l''ij^™' '" u^v.^'^H'^'^ *" *!"' king, announcing tho victory of in foreign wars. The Earl of Shrewsbury was, at the time, the king's
floaoen J-ield, says: Ihe victory lias more honour than if ho (tho king) lieutenant-general of the north, and when, a few years later, "His
snouw wm aU the crown of France. "—1 Ellis's Original Letters, p. SS. Slajosty's Council in the northern parts " was instituted, a court that
R p f 1^^' irTTT was almost vice-regal, the earl was appointed the first president— C.
■ -t-iii. 14 uen. via. p. 2. m. 8d. Tho ancient "commission of « When Wolsey heard of the truce he described Albany's conduct as
^l^/ TT™"^ V w ''t''":, ^"""^ "■' "i° "^'8° °i Henry 11. In that of " a coward and a fool."-C.
J •' !?^ v., Detoro his departure lor the memorable battle of » King Henry's jester, finding his royal master transported with
Agincourt, appointed commissioners of array in every county in unusual joy, asked him the cause of Ills hilarity, to which the king
Jingland, to tato a review of all the freemen able to boar arms, to replied that tho pope had honoured him with a style more exalted than
aiviae them into companies under able captams and officers, and to that of any of his ancestors— the title of " Defender of the Faith:" to
Keep tliem in readiness to march against an enemy. It was this which the fool replied, " O, good Harry, let thou and I defend one
county mllltla that afterwards became, in Lancashire and elsewhere, another, and let tho faith alone to defend Itself." The copy of Henry's
tue trained bands, levied, drilled, and exerciaed, till they were reply to Luther, sent by the king himself to the pope, with the royal
expert ana aisciphned soldiers, and then employed for national defence autograph in the title page, is preserved in the library of the Vatican,
lu queuing rebelUons whether m England, Suutlaud, or Ireland, and even and exhibited amongst its hterary ouriusities.
CHAP. XII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
201
as Henry alleged, began to distUrb his own mind ; and to relieve himself from so great a burden
he applied to Rome for a divorce, which Clement VII., who now filled St. Peter's chair, was inclined
to grant, had not the fear of offending the emperor Charles V., the nephew of Catherine, and who
wished to espouse Mary, the queen's daughter, restrained his inclinations. The impetuosity of
Henry's temper could ill brook the delay of episcopal hesitation, and the beauty of Anne Boleyn,
a maid of honour to the queen, to whom he had made an offer of his hand, induced him to disavow
the pajpal jurisdiction and obtain, from his own ecclesiastical courts, a dissolution of the marriage
with Catherine. His clergy, not less obedient to the royal wish than the laity, determined, in
convocation, that an appeal to Rome was unnecessary. The Parliament, when it next assembled,
passed the Statute of Appeals, and declared the " Defender of the Faith " to have pre-eminence,
authority, and jurisdiction over the church " within this his realm,"^ and thus dissolved the
connection between the Church of England and the Church of Rome. A number of the clergy, and
many of the laity, amongst whom there was probably a majority in the county of Lancaster,
adhered to the faith of their fathers, but the great body of the nation were disposed to go much
further than the king : they acted upon principle, he was influenced by passion, and remained as
much a friend to indulgences, after he had espoused the beautiful maid of honour, as he was when
he first married her mistress. Neither the Catholics nor the Protestants satisfied him. In the
plenitude of his power, and to gratify his sanguinary temper, he inflicted the punishment of death
upon persons 'of both persuasions, and he promoted the Reformation only so far as it could be
made subservient to the gratification of his voluptuousness and as it administered to the demands of
his prodigality.
Such is the perverting influence of religious persecution that Sir Thomas More, the mild,
equitable, and enlightened chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, on his elevation to the chancellor-
ship of England (in 1534), inflicted the torture upon James Bainham, a member of the Inner
Temple, and finally consigned him to the flames in Smithfield, in 1531, for no other offence but
because he followed the example of the court by favouring the doctrines of the Reformation. More
himself having, a few years after, refused to acknowledge the king's supremacy — saying that it was
a two-edged sword : if he was in favour of that doctrine, it would confound his soul, and if he was
against it, it would destroy his body — was, for this offence, brought to trial on a charge of high
treason, and, being found guilty, was beheaded on Tower HilP (July 6, 1535), the king, "of his
mercy," remitting the disgusting quartering of the quivering flesh because of his "high office."
In the twenty-sixth year of the king's reign the Lords and Commons humbly requested
Henry, as their " most gracious Sovereign Lord, upon whom and in whom dependeth all their joy
and wealth," to receive the firstfruits of all spiritual dignities and promotions ; and also an annual
pension of one-tenth part of all the possessions of the church. The firstfruits, or profits of the
first year of benefices, was a tribute that appears to have been gradually, by little and little, imposed
upon the clergy, and for a time was confined to the see of Norwich. Popes Clement V. and
John XXIL attempted to make it universal, but it was long before the claim in this country Avas
generally admitted. The tenths, or decimce, were the tenth part of the annual profit of each living
which was also claimed by the Holy See, but this latter claim of the pontiff met with a vigorous
resistance from the English Parliament, and a variety of Acts were passed to prevent and restrain
it, particularly the statute 6 Henry IV. c. 1, which calls it a horrible mischief, a damnable custom ;
but the clergy, blindly devoted to the will of the Pope, still kept it on foot— sometimes more
secretly, sometimes more open and avowedly— so that in the reign of Henry VIII. it was computed
that in the compass of fifty years 800,000 ducats had been sent to Rome for firstfruits only. As
the clergy had been willing to contribute so much of their incomes to the acknowledged head of
the church, it was thought proper, when the papal power was abolished, to annex this revenue to
the crown, which was done by statute 26 Henry VIII. c. 3, after which a new valor beneficiorum
was made, by which the clergy are at present rated. In 1534 a royal commission was issued to
ascertain the value of all the ecclesiastical property and the amount of all the benefices in the
kingdom The book containing the latter of these returns is called Liber Regis, and is a beautitul
manuscript, transcribed, it is said, by a monk of Westminster, for the king's library. The office
for the receipt of tenths and firstfruits was instituted upon the visitation of these commissioners
whereby the Becivice Decimarum were appointed to be paid to the King of England, instead ot
being paid, as hitherto, to the pope. The report of the commissioners forms a kind ot ecclesiastical
Domesday Book.'
1 o* 4 * IT „ o«wo„„, VTiT i According to Archbishop Lee, in a letter addressed to Cromwell, "their
I Ih'"*^'.",'^ ^."fo' ^ benefices were so exile, of £4 63. 6d. per annum, that no learned man
' State Trials., i. 59. .. , r i. n '-<>-"", ^„^^ nn»m Tliprpfnra thev were fain to take such as were
= The state of the inferior clergy in the county of Lancaster, as well would take them ^^^'^l°l^ J^LT,^ loumtion, and could com-
as in the other parts of the province of York, was at this time most P'f ™^'*;,,f; *^f* ??Ji,„T\'hcv saoriments. In all
deplorable, whether considered as to their acquirements or their stipends. petently understand wliat tncy reaa,
27
202 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xii.
The great visitation of monasteries was commenced in the autumn of 1535/ when Cromwell,
chancellor of the exchequer and first secretary to the king, filled the office of vicegerent and vicar-
general. The visitation of the Lancashire monasteries was made by Dr. Thomas Legh and Dr.
Richard Lajton, and their original reports are in the Record Office, under the custody of the
Master of the Rolls. The resolution to dissolve the monasteries had already been taken. The
spirit in which this visitation was made clearly indicated that the reports were meant _to_ form
the groundwork for the dissolution of those institutions, and the consequent appropriation of
their lands and revenues to the use of the crown. It cannot be denied that the monastic institutions
were subject to great abuse ; and that, under the specious appearance of devotion to God, some
of the first duties to man were neglected or perverted ; but it must also be admitted that the
collecting of ax parte evidence by stipendiary emissaries, and the making of that evidence a ground
for plundering the property of the church, was a proceeding full of injustice, and an example that
no future age can imitate with impunity. The questions proposed by the royal commissioners on
their Lancashire visitation were reduced to the following heads : (1) As to the incontinence of the
heads of each monastery ; (2) the name of the founder ; (3) the estate of the convents ; (4) the
superstitions practised in them ; (5) the debts they had incurred ; (6) the names of the votaries
who wished to be discharged from their vows.°
How far the deplorable picture of monastic life exhibited in this report is faithful we have not
the means of discovering.^ So far as the great monasteries are concerned it is at variance with
the declaration of an Act of Parliament passed in the foUoAving year, wherein it is said, " that in
divers and great solemn monasteries of this realm religion is right well kept and observed." The
great monastery of Furness does not appear to have been entitled to this flattering character, if the
report of the visitors is to be credited ; and of Whalley the particulars are so few as to convey no
infonnation on this head. The returns of the commissioners served as an apology for dissolving
the lesser monasteries, to which the king and his minister, the vicar-general, had a strong predis-
position. In the following year (1535) a bill was passed through Parliament, with very little
deliberation, for dissolving all monastic establishments in England whose clear yearly income did
not exceed £200, in the preamble to which bill it is said, that —
" Forasmuch as manifest sin, vitious, carnal, and abominable living, is daily used and committed commonly in such little and
small abbeys, priories, and other religious houses of monks, canons, and nuns, where the congregation of such religious persons is
under the number of twelve," &c., " whereupon the Lords and Commons, by a great deliberation, finally be resolved, that it is and
shall be more to the pleasure of Almighty God, and for the honour of this his realm, that the possessions of all such religious
houses, not being spent, spoiled, and wasted for increase of maintenance of sin, shall be used and converted to better uses, and the
unthrifty religious persons so spending the same be compelled to reform their lives ; be it therefore enacted, that his majesty shall
have to himself and to his heirs for ever, all and singular monasteries, the yearly value of which do not amount to £200."
By this Act, about three hundred and eighty communities were dissolved, and an addition of
thirty-two thousand a-year (of the value in our money of upwards of £160,000) was made to the
royal revenue, exclusive of £100,000 in money, plate, and iewels. According to Fuller, "ten
thousand persons were, by this dissolution, sent to seek their fortunes in the wide world : some
had twenty shillings given them at their ejection, and a new gown, which needed to be of strong
cloth, to last till they got another. Most were exposed to want ; and many a young nun proved
an old beggar." Whalley and Furness fell before the general dissolution, but the other monastic
or conventual establishments did not long survive, the whole of them being doomed to suppression
before the close of the year 1540 ; the College of Manchester, with the whole of the chantries in
the county, to the number of fifty-seven, being swept away a few years later, and their lands
alienated to the crown.
his diocese lie did not know twelve that could preach." The Irish ' Before this date the house of the Austin Friars at Wamngton,
clergy at the same time wore in a still lower condition. Their new founded by one of the Botelers, had for some cause or other been
archbishop wrote of them to the lord privy seal, "As for their secular closed.— C.
orders, they be in a manner as ignorant as the people, being not able to ■' The roport is in Latin, and its statements as to incontinence, &o.,
s,ay a mass, or to pronounce the words, they not knowu]g what they would not bear translation. It is therefore omitted. The following
themselves say in the Eoman tongue." So in 1630, "A bird may be statements in the report are, however, worth preserving i—i^iM-MiS,
taught to speak with as much sense as several of them do in this country." ye.<irly rent or income, iaW—Carlmetl, yearly rent, £100 ; here they have
Harrison says that before the Eefonnation " many of the clergy went a portion of the Holy Cross— Coiiis/ted, yearly rent £113 ; here they have
cither in divers colours, like players, or in garments of light hue, as the girdle of the Virgin Mary (as it is thought), to bless the pregnant
yeUow, red, green, with their shoes piked, their hair crisped, their (from one of the abbeys he visited, the worthy eommissiouor. Dr. Laytol),
girdles armed with silver, their apparel for the most part of silk, their sent to Cromwell, as a curiosity, "the girdle of Mary Magdalene")—
caps laced and buttoned with gold ; so that to meet a priest in those days Cohasand, yearly rent, £200— Whalley, £641— iyfAam, £55—Hornbi/, £16-
was to behold a peacock that spreadeth his tail when he dancoth before Pmwortham, £,i7—Bui-scough, £90—Uplwlland, £eb—Kersal Cell, £9; the
his hens. 1 here could only have been very few of these clerical peacocks, house owes 20 marks (£13 6s. &d.)—Stanlam , £10— College of Manchester,
however, to dance before the bewitching "hens" of Lancashire, for with ,£200.
the exception of a few richly endowed offices, as the wardenship of ■' It is alleged by the Roman Catholics that young men were employed
Manchester and the rectones of Wigan and Winwick, the benefices within to corrupt .and delame the nuns. Fuller mentions a story, upon the
the county were very poor, and many of them not worth more than four authority of Sir William Stanley, from which it appears that two young
or fave pounds a year. lhe__stipend of a clerk "to serve in the chapel at gentlemen, under the pretence of the royal permission to visit a convent,
Lltherpool was then £4 lis. 6d. a year ; of a clerk and schoolmaster at remained there three days and three nights, where they were received
Manchester, £4 Os. 2d. ; of a clerk and schoolmaster at Preston, £2 ISs. 2d. ; with that hospitality and decorum which ought to have inspired in them
BO that other ways had often to be resorted to by tlio secular clergy to nothing but gratitude ; but that, in return for these favours, they falsely
eke out their small wage.— C. accused the nuns of licentiousness, and in that way a pretence was
obtained for dissolving the convents.— Fuller's History o/ Abbeys, p. 315.
CHAP. XII.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
203
A CERTIFICATE op the ANNUAL VALUE and otheb PARTICULARS of a number of the
RELIGIOUS HOUSES in LANCASHIRE, i
CouNTT OF L.\NCASTEK.— The Breviate of the brief Certificate, upon the new Survey of the Religious Houses within the
County Palatine of Lancaster, given to the King's Highness by Act of Parliament, and within the case of dissolution.
Religious Hovises.
First Value.
Second Value.
Bella, Lead, and
Goods.
■Woods
worth to bo
sold.
Debts owing by
the House.
Religious
persons.
Servants
and others
having
livings.
Offer for
redemption to
be paid at days.
£157 14 04
91 6 3
97 2
80 7 6
53 3 4
£224 7 74
212 12 104
161 5 9
122 5 7
78 12 9
£343 18 5
274 13 94
333 6 34
418 10 10
132 2 8
403.
lei.
121.
251.
iOl.
£108 9 8
59 12 8
87 17 34
86 3 8
18 18 10
22
10
8
5
5
17
38
41
42
26
£3 3
3 4
3 4
3 4
200 4
Holland
The following progress of a suffragan, entitled Frogressus Dni Suffraganij, indicates the
order in which the visitation of the Lancashire monasteries, from the centre to the northern part
of the county, was made. From the obscurity of the writing, and the manner in which the MS.
is hound up with other papers in the Codex, the transcript has been made with considerable
difficulty, and probably with some inaccuracy on that account. The report (of which we have
modernised the spelling, &c.) is without date, but it appears to have been made about the year
1538, to Cromwell, the vicar-general, by one of the visitors.'
In County [op] Lancaster.
Whalley. Item to Whalley in Lancashire, of the Cistercians, out of one diocese, under the Bishop of Chester, the which convent
was first founded in the county of Chester, at a place called Stanlaw, by Sir John Lasoy, knight, and that was a.d. 1172. But after
Lord Henry Lascy, the third and last Earl of Lincoln of the name, removed them^ with the bodies of his ancestors John and Roger
Lasoy, knights, unto Whalley, that was A.D. 1296. Umylysa, prior. , tt i. ^ ^.i,
Colcersand.— Item to Kokersand, canons of the Premonstratensians, of the foundation of a certam hermit, named Hugh Cxarthe,
in King John's time, 24 miles from the other. , „. „ , rr • ^ i • t-j. e -i r xv, i.i,
Lancaster.— Item to Lancaster, to the friars preachers, of the foundation of Sir Hugh Harrington, knight, 5 miles from the other.
Cartmei— Item to Cartmel, Canons of St. Austin order, of the first foundation of Lord William Marohall, the Earl of Pembroke,
A.D. 1202, before his death 17 years' 3d King John, 10 miles off the other. ,.,^...-1 jj
Conishead.-ltem to Conishead, canons of St. Austin, of the first foundation of Gamel Pennyngton, kmght, which founded
there a place of three or four canons, which was in strife for a season, by reason that they builded upon the ground of Lord William
Lancastir, Baron of Kirby-Kendal and Overstone ; but this first foundation was a.d. 1067, from the other 5 miles.
Furrless-ltem to Furneas, of the Cistercians, of the foundation of Lord Stephen, then the Earf of Boulogne, before he was
king of England nine years, and 26th year of the reign of King Henry I. (1125-6), as appeareth by the following: [This is an
'"'t<Sr«^.-i?em'i? cS o1 ^he Cistercians, of the first foundation of Lord Reginald Meschines, then lord of Coupland, that
was AD 1134 in Henrv I.'s time, 19 miles from the foresaid place. . , , .,t i-..- ..• t: ■^ t
sf.BeT-l^m to St. Bees, monks of the order of St. Benet, of the foundation of the foresaid Lord Meschines, 5 mdes from
the other (fol. 106).* ^„ , ,,
[Notes at the end.]
"In all these we have been in, beside divers others more, both in Durham bishopric and also Carlisle ; with many good towns
and viUages, as well in my lord's grace's liberty as in others. And thus Jesus preserve your Mastership.
[In another /land.]
"These notes belong unto me.— Tho. Lovell. 1592." (Fol. 108.)
The relicrious feelings, as well as the temporal interests, of a large body of men were deeply
involved in the suppression of the lesser monasteries, which measure was considered with much
iustice as the precursor of a still more sweeping appropriation of church property. The families
if dTstinction, whose ancestors had founded monasteries, or whose sons were provided for by
spiritual offices, complained of being deprived of their patronage and emoluments; and the poor,
£ whomTere was then no parochial provision in infancy or m old age and whose wants had been
suppheTat the doors of the convents, were equally loud m their complaints ; while persons under
he iXence of higher motives felt shocked and outraged by the spoliation and overthrow ol the
altars of their fathfrs Agrarian discontent and the love of the old religion united m a stubborn
Sance trCromweirs projects of change. The discontents of the people first broke out m acts of
Tpen XllTon i™coln^shiie, where thi prior of Oxney and a leader named Melton, who assumed
the character of a mechanic, collected an army of twenty thousand men, of which Me ton took the
Ld Sel the name of "The Captain Cobbler." A proclamation of pardon from the king was
Sd of sufficient force to disperse this irregular army, while the doctor himself and a number
of Smother leaders among whom was Lord Hussey, were consigned to public execution On the
fsth of October St^^ "brute and beastly "rebels of Lincolnshire, as Henry called them,
J Harl. MSS. in Brit. Mus. cod. 604, fol. 91.
2 HarL MSS. codex 604.
•■' That is from Stanlaw. , „ . „ u , j
< Coupland, or Copeland, and St. Bees are both in Cumberland.
204 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xii.
dispersed when Thomas Myller, the Lancaster Herald, who had read and posted up his proclamation
at Louth, went on to Pontefract, where he found a less easy task before him.
Immediately after the suppression of the Lincolnshire outbreak a more formidable insurrection
sprang up in the northern counties, under the designation of the " Pilgrimage of Grace'' and
Robert Aske, a gentleman of family, residing upon his patrimonial estate at Aughton, in the East
Riding of the county of York, who had been at Lincoln, was placed at its head. The insurrectionary
spirit spread far and wide, from the Tweed on the north to the Humber and the Ribble on the
east and the west. The insurgents rendezvoused in Yorkshire, and to excite the enthusiasm of
their followers, and to induce the people to join their ranks, a body of priests marched at their
head with the banner of the cross, on which was depicted the figure of the Saviour, with the
chalice and the host. Each of the soldiers wore on his sleeve, as the emblem of his holy cause,
a representation of the five wounds of Christ, with the name "Jesus" marked in the centre. An
oath or covenant was enjoined upon the pilgrims, by which they declared "that they entered into
this pilgrimage for the love of God, the preservation of the king's person and issue, the purifying
the nobility, and driving away all base-born and ill councillors ; and for no particular profit of their
own, nor to do displeasure to any, nor to kill any for envy ; but to take before them the cross of
Christ, his faith, the restitution of the churches, and the suppression of hereticks and their
opinions."
On the 16th October York received the rebels, after their having carried the town of Hull. Their
next operation was directed against the castle of Pontefract, which was in possession of Lee, the Arch-
bishop of York, and Lord Darcy, whose slumbering loyalty the king attempted to awaken by a letter
written from Northampton,^ in which he desires Lord Darcy to proclaim as false certain traitorous,
slanderous, and untrue reports. The reports alluded to, and so strongly denounced by the king,
were contained in a mandate issued by one of the rebel chiefs, assuming the name of " the Earl of
Poverty," which alleged that the king and his heretical ministers had determined, first, that no
infant should be baptised without a tribute to be paid to the king ; second, that no man with an
income of less than £20 a year should either eat bread made of wheat, or capons, or chickens, or
goose, or pig, without paying a tribute ; and third, that for every plough-land the king would have
a tribute. The Earl of Shrewsbury, then residing at Sheffield Castle, animated by a zeal which
outstripped the king's commands, raised a force to resist the progress of the rebellion ; and the
Duke of Norfolk, the Earl of Derby, and other noblemen, followed his example. On arriving
before Pontefract the rebels summoned the castle. With this summons the Archbishop of York
and Lord Darcy readily complied by surrendering the fortress without resistance. On the 20th
of October, Myller, the Lancaster Herald, arrived at Pontefract with a proclamation from the king ;
but when he rode into the town to fix it on the market cross he was prevented, and commanded
to go to the castle, where he was received by Aske, the captain of the rebellious host, seated on a
kind of throne, with the Archbishop of York on his right and Lord Darcy on his left, attended by
Sir Robert Constable, Sir Christopher Danby, and others ; but the hopes of the rebel general were
then too much elevated to warrant an expectation of that submission which the proclamation
required. According to Wilfred Holme, a writer of that age, residing at Huntington, near York,
the following lines were often recited by the pilgrims of grace, from the antiquated quiddities of
Merlin : —
" Foorth shall come a worme, an Ashe with one eye.
He shall be the chiefe of the mainye ;
He shall gather of chivah-ie a lull faire flock
Halfe capon and halfe cocke :
The chicken shall the capon slay,
And after that shall be no May."
From Pontefract the rebel army marched to Scawsby Lees, near the left bank of the river
Don, with the intention of fording the river, and taking the ancient town of Doncaster, then in
possession of the Duke of Norfolk, the leader of the vanguard in the battle of Flodden Field, on
whom the king had conferred the command of the royal army.
The ardour of the priests and their devoted followers, in this northern rebellion, was most
strikmg. The abbots of Whalley, Salley, Jervaux, Furness, Fountains, and Rivaulx, with all the
persons they could mfluence, either joined the main army or made diversions in its favour in their
respective districts. In a word, the whole of the north of England was in a state of alarm and
agitation The Earl of Derby, with commendable zeal for his sovereign's interest, called out the
militia of Lancashire and Cheshire, and by his promptitude and activity in securing Whalley
Abbey, and other houses of treasonable resort, kept in check the rising in Cumberland and West-
morland, and the northern parts of Lancashire. The king, in his emergency, issued warrants to
Harl. MSS. cod. 283, fol, 80.
CHAP. XII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
205
his devoted followers importuning them to join the Earl of Derby in his endeavours to repress this
wide-spreading rebellion. ^
The originals of two of these documents are preserved in the Harleian Collection/ and are
expressed m similar terms. Both are dated Windsor Castle, 28th Oct., 28th year of the reifn
(1536)— one being addressed to Sir Rodger Bradshawe, Knt., and the other to Sir Thos Langton
Knt. The following is a transcript of the one addressed to Sir Roger Bradshawe :— '
BY THE KING.
, ■ ,.F';r*^ ^""^ wellbeloved we grete you well. And forasmuche aa we be credibly aduertised how that most like a trew and
feithfuU Buiect you haue assembled all your Force and Joyned the same wt our right trusty and right wellbeloved Cousin therle of
Derbye for the rep ssion of certayne traitors and rebells in those p'ties, like as for the same we pyve vnto you our most hertie
thanks. Soo we thought as well convenyent to requier you to p'sist and contynue in your faithfull towardnes in the companey of
our said cousm tyll the said traitors shalbe vtterly subdued, as to signifie that we shall not onely considre your charges therein,
But hkewise so remembre your s'uice in the same as you shall haue cause to say you haue well emploied your labours paynes and
trayvaiUs in that behalf, leuen ynder our signett at our castell of wyndsoure the xxiijth day of octobre in the xxiijth yere of
or reigue.
JK^-s^t&f
Indorsed — "To Or trusty and wellbeloved s'unt Sr Roger Bradshawe knyght."
The warmth of the king's thanks for the service rendered to the royal cause by Sir Roger Bradshawe
and Sir Thomas Langton, and the solicitude expressed by him that they should continue their
services, sufficiently indicate the sense he entertained of the danger attending this rebellion, not
only to the peace and tranquillity of the county of Lancaster but also to the stability of his throne.
The scene of hostile operations in Lancashire was principally on the eastern boundary, adjoining to
the county of York ; and the Earl of Cumberland, emulating the example of the Earls of Shrewsbury
and Derby, gallantly repulsed the rebels in an attack made upon Skipton Castle. The main army
of the insurgents now prepared to advance to the south, and with that view they proposed to ford
the Don at the point where the Earl of Shrewsbury was posted by direction of the Duke of Norfolk ;
but a sudden rising of the waters of that river, though proceeding from causes purely natural,
served to awaken the susceptible superstition of the followers of Aske, who, viewing this impediment
as an evil omen, were prevailed upon to disperse, partly to repair the deficiency in their
commissariat department and partly to afford time to conduct a negotiation between the government
and the insurgent chiefs. The Duke of Norfolk was placed in a situation of great difficulty. The
impetuosity of the king's temper disinclined him to make any concessions to his subjects in arms ;
and the demands of the rebels were such as to preclude his compliance with them without
compromising the royal dignity. They claimed that a royal pardon should be granted without
exception of persons ; that a parliament should be held at York, and courts of justice established
there, so that no suitor on the north side of the Trent should be required to go to London upon
any suit at law. They further demanded a repeal of several Acts of Parliament, specifying
particularly those for the last subsidy, and the statute of uses, with the statute which made words
without overt acts misprision of treason ; and the statute requiring the clergy to pay their tenths
and firstfruits to the king. They further desired that the Princess Mary, the king's daughter by
Catherine of Arragon, might be restored to her right of succession, the pope to his wonted
jurisdiction, and the monks to their houses again ; that the Lutherans might be punished ; that
Audley, the lord chancellor, and Cromwell, the lord privy seal, might be excluded from the next
ParHament ; and that Doctors Lee and Layton, who had visited the northern monasteries, might
be imprisoned for bribery and extortion. After an interval of a month the " Pilgrims of Grace "
again assembled in greater strength than before, and once more prepared to ford the Don ; but
again the waters rose suddenly, and a second time prevented that operation. The negotiations
were renewed, imder the management of Sir Ralph Ellerker and Sir Robert Bowas, on the side of
the insurgents, and of the Duke of Norfolk for the king. The duke was empowered to offer pardon
to all the rebel's, with the exception of ten ; six of them to be named, and four unnamed ; but this
offer from the uncertainty which it involved, was refused. It was next proposed by the duke that
a kind of congress should assemble at Doncaster, consisting of three hundred representatives chosen
from the men of the different wapentakes, to negotiate with the duke and the lord admiral, who
was a Fitzwilliam of Aldwark. For some time the duke, by the direction of the privy council,
insisted on the king exercising the right to except ten persons from the general amnesty, but
MS. cod. 283, fol. 258, 269,
206
THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xii.
finding it impossible to obtain these terms he at length agreed that the royal clemency should be
extended to the whole of the rebel army without exception. On these terms the pilgrimage was
dissolved (Dec. 9), but the king, on the dispersion of the insurgents, read them a lecture, in a royal
manifesto, of a nature which would, in these days, rather have raised than suppressed a rebellion.
In answer to that part of their petition which related to the removal of his mmisters, who were
charged with a design to subvert the religion of the state, and to enslave the people, the king says,
" And we, with our whole council, think it right strange that ye, who be but brutes and inexpert
folk, do take upon you to appoint us who be meet or not for our council ; we will therefore bear
no such meddling at your hands, it being inconsistent with the duty of good subiects to interfere
in such matters."
In the interval between the dispersion of the insurgent army of the north and their
reassembling an attempt was made by the rebels to take the abbeys of Whalley and Salley,
which the Earl of Derby was preparing to resist, when he received the king's command at Preston
to disperse his forces. These orders he obeyed, but finding, on the reassembling of the rebels,
that the danger was imminent, he again collected his troops, and marched to Whalley, when he
succeeded in securing the monastery, and in restoring the public tranquillity. The following
despatch to the king from the earl was written on the 1st of November, four days after the repulse
of the rebels from Skipton Castle, and details the operations with sufficient particularity : —
Letter of the Earl of Derby to the King (Henry VIII.) on the Taking op Whalley Abbey, i
•■' Pleas it your magestye to be adurtysed that vpon Munday last past I beiug at your town of preeton in Lancash their
accompanyed and in other townea and Tillages nere thereabouts wt the moost part of your true & faithfull subjects of the same
Shir was then in aredynes to have advansed forward toward Salley to have executed your graces comandment. And the said
Munday at nyght I had appoynted to have loged at the Abbey of Whalley whiohe is but iiij myles from Salley. And about ix of
clok of the same Munday came on Berwyke your Herald^ at armes vnto me. And hauing your Cote armure on his body delyu'ed
me a £re dyrected vnto me fro my Lord the Erie of Shrewisbury your g'ces lieutennt and my Lord of Rutland and my Lord of
Huntyngdon. Theffect of whiche £res ws this (they certifyed me by the same yt my Lord of Norfolk and they had stayd the
cSmons of Yorkshir and that eu'y man was sparpoled and retyred home vnto their own howses. And that my said Lord of
Norfolk was dep'ted to your Highnes. And that they were informed from the Lord Derby that I wt my retynue had appoynted
to be on the said Munday at Whalley Abbey. And forsomvche as all things was well stayd as they dyd write therefor they
desired and prayd me and nevertheless in yC graces name charget me that I shuld sparple my said Compeny wt out doing any
hurt or molestacion to the saides comons or any of theym. And that I shuld not fayle hereof as wold answar to your Highnes at
my p'ill. And like the charge your herald did giff vnto me in your graces name. And after the Recyt of the said £ie & after
Counsaill taken w* the Lord Montegle then present and w* a great uomber of the gentlemen of the same Shir and w* their
assents I and they thynkyng the said £re & comandment to be in effect as your comandment considering it did come from your
said lieutennt dj'd immediately sparple the said Compeny so assembled as is aforesaid and soo departed whomwards. And the satae
Munday in the moro the comons of the borders of Yorkeshir nere to Salley w* sume of the borders of Lancashir nere to theym
assembled theym together and wt force they vnkowen to me sodenly toke the said Abbey of Whalley wher I had intended to have
loged that nyght. And when they herd and knew how yt I had receyved such a £re or comandment as is aforesaid then they
sparpoled their Cumpeny the same Daye. And truly all thoghe the ways and passages to Whalley & Salley be vere cumberous
strayt full of myre impediments by warters & otherwyse yet I wt the power of yor true subgetts soo assembled wold have put all
or bodyes in the auenture to have executed your former comandment if the said £re had not cumon to my hands. And wt godds
g'ce I haue no dowt but in conclusion all thogh a great fray had thereof inswed as it was lyke to have byn venquyshed. And
wher their hath byn lately another insurrecion and Rebellion in the borders of Westm'land Cumb'land and in that part of
Lancashir northward from yor town of Lancaster and now sparpoled who had intended as it is to be suspected and as I do verely
beleve to haue cumen through this Shir if they had not byn affrayd of me and other your true subgetts soo assembled as is
aforesaid at Preston. The circustance whereof I feare were to tedious for your grace here to put in w'tyng of all that I have herd
and knowen thereof w* the fals and feaned £re3 & deuyaes that hath byn feaned by that assemble and other whiche £res & deuysea
they sparple abrode amongs your subiects by settyng theym on Churche Dores and otherwise. Therfor I have made a byll of
Artyclea therof sumthing breifly made signed wt my hand which I delyu'd to yor s'unt Henry Acres who was wt me and eight
persons w* hym to have s'ued your grace in my Cumpeny And can instruct yor grace thereof. And in thise affairs and ail other
accordyng to my bonden dutye I shall always during my liff as yor true Bubget be redy wt hert & hand to do you such pore s'uea
as lyeth in my power wt asmoche obedyens as I can ymagin. As or Lord God knoes who p'sue your magestye in high honor and
excellenoie. Written at my manor of Lathom on all saincta Daye abowt iiij of clok after none.
" Yor most obedyent seruant & sublet,
In dorao
" To the Kings MAGESTIB.-My Lord of Derby e to the Kings highnes certifying the king in what redynes he was wth Lancashire
against the Rebelles m the North.
&c reTato^ to''tteV8t™LSoe*s ?n the nortro"Slnd^'"''''' ^''^''" 1°" "8^*^^^=°? *» kneeling down before traitors with the king's most
&c., relating to the msturoanoesm the north otiingland. honourable ooat-of-arms upon his back, and so encourasinB and com-
' Thomas Myller, the Lancaster Herald, had been deprived of his forting them, and he suffered death at York In the fofowing year -
office. When m the presence of Aske, at Pontefract, he had bent the Stat. Papers vl. p. 436 —G louowing year.
knee to the rebel chief, and this act cost him his life. He was indicted
OHAP. XII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
207
«Wlion, one object of whici, ™, to r:;oSe'XtoSrof the LtlriS" '"''''"'"' "" *"
Part of the First Drat7ght of Hbnkt VIII.'s Letter td thp T?Ai,r ,^^. o„„o„ «.„
NORTH. (It seems LbrorTro™C™Twe7l's'hrd^^i;;,rCa^^^^^ '"' ''^'^''"°" " ™^
rocev;Ksrdf;;^rert'dt^^^^^^^^ greet ,o wel. And latingyo wit that having
trial of our traitors and Rebelles of these p'tieVand the trZwnflA/f/ ^ff"Tu^ ^°<^""°''' '° *'"'
for the whiche we eeve vnto vow r most h»rfv fV.i.^t i trayning of the rest of r affaires there to such frame as maye be to r satisfaction
f:nrrchea:b;fuche"a^^^^^^^^^^
been of that truthe towards v« fb»t tn +L;.. T *• ^°^°7^ It appereth that thabbot of Fumes and di'use of his moncks have not
and exSte to vse Xthe mel^^^^^^ "if *PP^''*«yf'i- We desire and pray you wt all the dexteritie you cann to deuise
CorTnvrf them have htdanrTnt.llf^^^^ possible to enserche and trye out the veray truth of their proceedings and wt whom
St of mLv thWs vet vnkn^^^^ ^"' ^- ^V"?" ^'^^ f *''"* y" '^^^^ fy°<'« ^^'^'^^r ^"ch matier ^ shall shewe the
rf hi Mrks as vof sh^tr,?,,^^ ;. I 1 Pl«^swe/ that you shall v,;pon a further examynacon Comytt the said Abbot and such
sLh other thTnL as bv vor^ltrt 1 u ^°,?f °'^°^*? ™"^"' ^^"'^ *° ^^""^y" ^^^ ^ ^1^^" ^PP°° ^^^ signification vnto vs of
£res according to ^or 1^^/^ Tor Z T^ •''^^ ^'^l ".I"* ''.^T ^"."^^^ "* ■" P'^*'*"^^- ^ecunde we sende vnto you herewt certain
vou shall thnf m.r w S 1 M *!,^^1°7°S« "^ "^f Monks wt u or uij Blankes to be directed to suche other houses as
VoushaLtmssra^vrf thar.o^t?tw\* f/'' T *'il°''\^* """^''^'^ *^^* J"" '^^^^ "°* "'^'y duely examyn them all befor
bUl of their^mt bJ.nf w»l r^^ f **" ?u° *° "^^'^ ''™'"'> *' ^<='^ *°"- 1"^** ^« *'»'''k some of the houses mentioned in yor
ZtoMethe in w. ■ <->,' *'""'' coniytted(atorin)Whalley; butalso that you ahall retayn^ John Estgate who wold
fhl wfw '^ ^ ■ ^-.^ ^''^ the cause whye he shuld desire to goo more to that place thenne to any other. And as touching
thtv P J^- T -^Paoities If you shall thinke them men mete to be suffred to goo abrode, we be content you shall give them
tnfn iiu ^ ?if° '=i"*™^«'- ^tuff wt suche moucy as you shall by yr wisedoes thinke mete, the capacities for whom we shall send
vnto youby the next messenger. Thirde wheras you have sent vnto vs the copie of the £re writen from r couaen of Norfif (Norfolk)
to Lord Darcye after tis first dep ture from Doncaster Which you found in the Vicar of Black Burnes chamber Forasmoche as by
tne same it appereth that there hathe been great Intelligence amongs such p'sonnes as were of that naughty inclinacon entent and
conspu-acye, We desire and praye you as wel by the straite examinacou of the said Vicar as by all other meanes that you caune
possibly deuise strongly to enserche howe the said copie was conveyed thether Who was the Messenger Who was of counsel and
now many £res or writmgs of that sorte or any other weir in that tyme conveyed in to those p'ties to whom from whom and of
wnat ettect. ior m the ernest folowing of this matier you maye doo vnto vs as highe and as acceptable s'uice as canne be deuised.
imally we desire and pray you to sende vppe in sauftie vnto vs Richard Estgate late Monke of Salleye. Our s'unt sr Arthur Darcy
nathe wnten that he doubtethe not to declare euche matier against him at his repayr vnto vs as shall conveye some things to r
knowleuge whiche for r affaires shalbe very necessary to be kuowen. Which things being ones conduced to some p'fection we shall
Bignihe r pleasure vnto you touchinge the return of r cousin of Sussex to r presence.
" Indorsed— The Mynute of the £re8 to my Lord of Sussexe xith Marcij xxviij yeare of H. 8." " T. C."
The Answer of to certain Articles Administered to him Touching the same Rebellion (Temp.
Hen. yin.y—narl. Cat.
Fower articles whervpon was to Auawere vnto touchinge the Rebellyone in the yeare of H. 8.
1. Firste whether you wrotte any I'res to the Prior of Conished or Cartemell or to any Religeoua persone.
2. Item. What motyon or at whose Request or interpellation you wrott them.
3. Item. Of what tenor or forme such I'res were that you wrotte.
4. Item. What daye or place you wrott them.
I. To the firste I graunte I wrott a letter to the priore of Cartemell, as hereafter shalbe declared, but neuer to the prior of
Conishid or any other religeous p'son touchinge any thinge of the insurrection in my life, otherwise then is viiderwritten.
3. To the third I saye I cannot perfectely remember the very tenor or forme of the saide letter, for I kepte no coppye therof,
but as farre as I canne now remember it was of this effecte : That, forasmuch as all religeouse p'sonnes in the North partes had
entered their houses by puttynge in of the comones, and as I am enformed you meaninge the Prior of Cartemell, being required so
to enter doe wtdrawe yrselfe. I thinke you may safly enter and doe as other doe, keepinge yo''selfe quiete for the season, and to
praye for the kinge. And at the next Parliamente then to doe as shalbe determyned, and I have no doubte but so doinge you may
contynewe in the same wtt the grace of God, who keepinge yo", &c. And if I sawe the origenall letteres or a ooppie thereof I
would truly confesse my deede.
'2. To the second I say I wrotte the sayd letters to the Prior of Cartemell at the requeste and desire of one Colleues, baylif of
Kendall, wch Collenes at my beinge at pomfret shewed me that all the Chanones of Cartemell were entered the house excepte the
foolishe prior, who would not goe to them onlie for his owne profite, desiringe me to write a letter to him to exhort him to goe in
likewise as his brethren had done. And I graunted him to write the same I're when I come to Yorke, w^h was the morowe after
the Conceptyon of our Ladye, and I deferred the tyme because I would hear howe the matters proceeded in the communication at
Donkester, the meane space after that Collenes came to Yorke eftesoones desiringe the same letter. At whose onlye mooon requeste
and interpellacon I wrot the same letter of suche effecte as is vnderwritten, beinge the bouldere so to write for somuch as at my
departynge from pomfret it was openly proclaymed, as I hard saye, and also at yorke when I came there it was voyoed in euery
manes mouth that the Abbeyes should stand in such manor as they were put in vnto the nexte parliamente, and after my coming
home to Kirkeby, in the presence of S^ Henry Gascoine, knight, and other, desired me to exporte suche of the wiseste men as were
Channones of S* Ageathes by Richemonde whom 1 knewe to be contente (leste they or the country should thinke strange thereat)
to be put forthe of their houses by the kinges authoritie, and to be taken in againe by the same. And so to remaine vnto the
determenacon of the nexte parleamente, saying it was concluded at the communicacon at Doncaster it should so be. At whose
de(sire) I spake to one Coke, prior of the same howse, to be contente wth the premisses, and he promissed to be for his parte, and
Harl. MSS. cod. 283.
208 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xii.
to exhorte his brethren to the same. And this manner of puttynge out and takynge in was comonly spoken of to be true after our
returne from Pomfret in all those partes as well wth gentlemen as other vnto the cominge of the Duke of Norfolke in these parts as
farre as euer I hard of any man. ,, . ,
i. To the fourthe I saye I wrot the said I'res at yorke, the Satordaye or Sondaye foUowinge the Conceptyon of our lady
wch was vpon a fridaye, w^h daye I departed from Pomfret homeward, one fortenyght bofore the publycacon of the pardon wch was
published at Richemond, iij myles from the place wl.ere I dwell, on a market daye, beinge Saturdaye the xxiij day of December, and
not, as I remember, a letter concerninge the insurrection. I never wrot so ma ex(cepte) that the thereof large
■wch was wttin of the firste beginninge of the insurrectyon in Richemondsheire, to the Abbot there, Mr. Siggeswioke,
Mr. Witham, gentleman. And I all together wrotte lettres to the Abbotte of Fountaines and other preestes for a poste horses, and
one other to Sf Christofer Danby, knight, to desire him to subscribe his name to his Letter, w* wee receaved from him, the Coppie
of w=li lettres doe remayne yet, as I suppose, in Jervaux abbaye aforesaid, and from the tyme of writynge the said letteres vnto the
priore of Cartemell wcb was wtliin two dayes after the conoeptyou of o'' Ladye, as it is above Expressed vnto this daye I never
wrotte ne sente vnto him any letter or messuage for anythinge, ne I haue hard anythinge by worde or writynge from him at aDy
tyme sithen.— (Fol. 85.)
The rebel army of the north was dispersed, but the cause of their discontent was in no degree
removed. Several of the monks and others, who had repossessed themselves of the religious
houses during the time of the insurrection, were again ejected, and a fresh rebellion broke out on
the northern extremity of Lancashire, under Musgrave and Tilley. The career of the insurgents
was short and humiliating, and their only military operation consisted in besieging the city of
Carlisle, in which they entirely failed. The Duke of Norfolk, having put their army to flight,
made prisoners of all their officers with the exception of Musgrave. Threescore and fourteen of
them were brought to trial by martial law, and being found guilty of treason and rebellion they
were all hanged on the walls of Carlisle. Similar risings took place at Hull, and in some other places,
but without success ; and the king, in the heat of his indignation, seemed to consider these fresh
revolts as a justification for the infraction of the act of amnesty granted by his authority at
Doncaster, though many of the accused who afterwards became sufferers were not, and could not
be, concerned in the latter rebellion. Aske, the leader of the Pilgrimage of Grace, was tried and
executed, with the unfortunate Lancaster Herald, at York, as were also Sir Robert Constable at
Hull, Sir John Bulmer and Sir John Percy at Tyburn, Sir Stephen Hamilton, Nicholas Tempest,
and William Lumley. Many others were thrown into prison, and most of them shared the fate of
their leader. The plea of compulsion set up by Lord Darcy for the surrender of Pontefract did not
avail him, neither did his advanced age of eighty years, though many of them had been spent in
the service of his country.^ The inexorable monarch, after his condemnation, refused to extend to
him the royal clemency, and he was executed on Tower Hill. " Being now satisfied with
punishing the rebels the king published anew," says Lord Herbert, '' a general pardon, to which
he faithfully adhered ; and he created a patent court of justice at York for deciding on suits in
the northern counties, a demand which had been made by the rebels." It appears, however, that
the arms of justice was not yet stayed, for at the spring assizes at Lancaster, in 1536-7, John
Paslew, D.D., Abbot of Whalley, was arraigned, convicted, and sentenced to death for high treason,-
on account of the part he had taken in the northern rebellion, and suffered the extreme penalty
of the law on a gallows erected in front of the house of his birth, in a field called the Holehouses,
at Wiswall, in Whalley f while William Trafford, Abbot of Salley, and the prior of the same place
Avere executed at Lancaster two days before, along with John Eastegate and William Haydocke,
monks of Whalley. Adam Sudbury, Abbot of Jervaux, with Ashbeed, a monk of that house, and
William Wold, prior of Burlington, also suffered death for the same offence.
The part taken by the monks in the rebellion of the north, and the encouragement they had
given to their dependants and tenants to join in that insurrection, served as a reason for the
dissolution of the larger monasteries, of which it had been declared by Parliament that "in divers
of them religion was right well kept and observed." This character, however, did not save them
from the rapacious grasp of the spoiler ; and the sagacity which suggested that the dissolution of
the smaller monasteries would soon be succeeded by the sequestration of the property of the larger
establishments was soon made manifest. A new commission, with the Earl of Sussex at its head,
was appointed to investigate the conduct of the existing monasteries, and the commissioners spent
1 On being led to execution, Lord Daiey accused tlie Duke nf Norfolk, famous Sir Anthony Fitzherbert, as ho is known to have been at Fumess
the com m.aiider-m -chief of the kmgs forces, of having encouraged tho a few days after the event, along with Ricliard Radcliffe, Earl of Sussex,
rebeUion of the north ; but this charge was disregarded by the king, and then lord-lieutenant of Lancasliire.-C.
seems te have bod no better foundation than tho anxiety of the duke to » Dr. Whitaker gives the date of Paslew's execution variously as
spare the lives of the rebels. Near the close of Henry's reign, the duko the 10th and 12th March. Stowe names the 10th, which is probably
and his son, the Earl of Surrey fell into disgrace, owing to the intrigues correct, but he is inaccurate in saying the execution took place at
of their enemies at court, and to the fickleness of the king's disposition. Lancaster. Haydocke was executed on the 12th. Concerning these
The acoompUshed and lamented sou perished on the scaffold ; and his events the following memorandum appears among the Cotton MSS. :-
father was indebted for his life rather to tho death of the king than to lo36. 6 idua Ma?tii dominus Johannes Paslew in theologia bacoalaureus
the services he had rendered to his country by his aohicvementa on the 25 abbas et ultimus domUs de Whalley.
ocean, his gaUantry in the battle of I'lodden, and his still more 4 idus Martli eodem anno susponsus fuit Willielmus Haydocke,
effusioi of blood ''™° '" 'iispersing an army of 40,000 men without the monachus abbatiffl de yfhMoy (marginal note). In campo vocato Parvo
T .„ ' '^t^'"'° '^°'? °S' f P*?"'"' '°^'"l*,'?^ Indictment of Paslew among the '"^ Ricardus Eastgato (a monk of SaUey who had fled to Whalley),
Lancaster records, but the probability is that ho was tried before the monaohua do Sauley suspcnsus fuit apud (i/.e rat uanli)io).-a.
CHAP. XII.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
209
nearly four years m gomg from house to house, by turns soUciting and compelling the heads of
those houses to surrender them, with their lands and revenues, into the hands of the king.
Though these appropriations were so numerous in the reign of Henry VIII., only one original
surrender of any religious house is to be found, and that is the surrender of the abbey of Furness,
in the county of Lancaster, and though the monks of Furness had obtained the repute of being
more treasonable talkers and more inveterate conspirators than the brethren of Whalley, they
contrived in their sequestered glen to furnish a very small amount of legal evidence available on a
trial for high treason. Roger Pyle, the abbot, was wary, the monks were cautious, and the
servants were discreet, so that Sussex was constrained to admit there were only two of the
fraternity whom he " could fynde faultye." Warned by the fate of Paslew, the abbot was " very
facile and ready-mynded," and as he set some value upon his life, and the earl upon the abbey
lands, an agreement was speedily arrived at — the earl obtained the surrender of the abbey, the
lands of which were attached to the duchy of Lancaster; the abbot secured for himself the rectory
of Dalton, hard by, and the " bredren of misorder " were fain to content themselves with small
f tensions for their lives. The "byll " or instrument of surrender is dated the 5th of April, 1537,
rom which it appears that the annual value of the monastery was £960, and that thirty monks
FURNESS ABBEV,
were attached to that house. It is signed Fer me Rogerum abbatem Furnesii, m the presence
of the Earl of Sussex and of " Sir Thomas Butler, Sir William Leyland, Johan Cladon, clerk.
Sir Johan Eeron (Byron), and Sir Anthony Fitz-Herbert, one of the lung's justices, beymg ot the
kynges counsell within the said countie." The surrender of Furness Abbey will serve as a
specimen of the proceedings under this new commission.'
" All the members of the community, with the tenants and servants, were successively examined in private ; and the result of
aprotratd^nq^ryrs, that though tw^^.' monks were committed to Lancaster Castle, nothing «-l<i Rediscovered tr—^^
either the abbot or the b'rotheAood. The commissioners proceeded to Whalley, and a '^'Y'"'^^"''" T^7^1^^~^ncel I^^^^^
to reannear before them A second investigation was instituted, and the result was the same. In tliese circumstances, says tne
^rlTnTletter tTHenr^ wh^h is still extant, 'devising with myself, if one way would not serve, how and by what means the said
monlL might be rid fr^ rhe said abbey, and'consequently how the same might be at your gracious pleasure, I determmedtoassay
28
i See original papers iu the British Jfaaeum, Cloop. E. iv. HI, 244, 246, See also West's Fumes., Appendix k. 4-7,
210 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xii.
him as of myself, whether he would be contented to surrender, give and grant unto (you) your lieirs and assigns the said monastery ;
which thing so open to the abbot fairly, we found him of a very facile and ready mind to follow my advice in that behalf.' A deed
was accordingly offered him to sign, in which, having acknowledged ' the misorder and evil rule both unto God and the king, of the
brethren of the said abbey,' he, in discharge of his conscience, gave and surrendered to Henry all the title and interest which he
possessed in the mouastei-y of Furness, its lands and its revenues. Officers were immediately despatched to take possession in the
name of the king ; the commissioners followed with the abbot in their company, and in a few days the whole community ratified
the deed of its superior. The history of Furness is the history of Whalley and of the other great abbeys in the north. They were
visited under pretext of the late rebellion, and, by one expedient or other, were successively wrested from their possessors and
transferred to the crown." '
As an inducement to their superiors to surrender their monasteries, tempting offers of a
permanent provision were made to the brotherhood ; and to such as withheld their consent, either
no allowance whatever was granted, or that allowance was so small as to leave them in a state of
abject penury. -
The progress of the Reformation kept pace with the dissolution of the papal institutions, and
in the year 1538 the Scriptures^ were for the first time printed entirely in English, under the
sanction and authority of the Government, and all incumbents were enjoined to provide a copy and
set it up publicly in the church, and not to hinder or discourage the reading of it. Pope Clement,
incensed by all these acts of disobedience to the Romish church, was at length induced to issue
his celebrated bull of excommunication, by which the King of England was declared an apostate,
the whole kingdom was put under an interdict, his subjects were required to rise up in arms
against his authority, foreign potentates were charged to make war upon him, and he was expelled
from the pale of the Holy Catholic Church. So far were the thunders of the Vatican from
arresting the king in his sacrilegious career that, in the following year, a bill was brought into
the English Parliament vesting in the crown all the movable and immovable property of the
monastic institutions which either had already been or should hereafter be suppressed, abolished,
or surrendered. The heads of the twenty-eight mitred abbeys, and the two priors of Coventry and
St. John of Jerusalem, having been divested of their revenues, lost the seats which they had
hitherto enjoyed in the House of Peers; but the county of Lancaster did not in this way suffer
any diminution of parliamentary influence, seeing that none of those highly-privileged houses
were situate in this county. The abbots, masters, and priors of the religious orders in Lancashire,
however, frequently received writs of summons to Parliament ; and it appears from the Close
Rolls that from 49 Henry III. to 23 Edward IV. (1264 to 1483) the heads of the Premonstratensian
Abbey of Cockersand alone received upwards of one hundred of these parliamentary writs.
From this period (1539-40) is to be dated the dissolution of all the monastic institutions in the
county of Lancaster; and the following is a concise history of their original foundation, the
religious orders to which they were attached, and their estimated income, according to Dugdale
and to Speed, at the time of the visitations, which took place in the interval between 1534
and 1540 :—
" At BOKSCOUGH was a Priory of Austin, or Black Canons, founded by Robert Fitz-Henry, Lord of Lathom, in the reign of
Richard I. St. Nicholas was the tutelar saint of this house, which had a prior, and five religious, and forty servants, and was
endowed at the dissolution with £80 7s. 6d. per annum, according to Dugdale ; according to a second valuation, £1-22 5s. 7d ;
according to Mr. Speed, with £129 Is. lOd.
"At CoKEKHAM there was a Priory.
" At Cockersand, a Premonstratensian Abbey.* Here was first a hermitage, and then an hospital for several infirm brethren,
under the government of a prior, dedicated to St. Mary, and subordinate to the Abbey of Leycestre, founded, or chiefly endowed,
by Wilham of Lanoastre, in t!ie time of Henry II. ; but about the year 1190 it was changed into an Abbey of Premonstratensian
Gd,non.s, to which there seems to have been united another abbey of the same order, which Theobald, brother to Hubert Walter,
Archbiahop of Canterbury, some years after, built, or designed to build, at Pyling, to the honour of the blessed Virgin. The Abbey
of Cockersand consisted, about the time of the dissolution, of twenty-two religious, and fifty-seven servants, and was then found
to_ be worth £157 14s. per annum, Dugd. ; £228 os. 4d., Speed ; £282 7s. 4d. according to a second valuation. The site was granted,
3u Henry VIII. (1543), to John Kechin.
"At CONISHEAD a Priory of Austin Canons. Gabriel Pennington built, in the time of Henry II., upon the soil, and by the
encouragement of William of Lancastre, Baron of Kendal (who was a very great benefactor), an hospital and priory of Black Canons,
to the honour of the blessed Virgin Mary ; which priory consisted of a prior, and seven religious, and forty-eight servants, and
"^'^L^'f o , ■ ^^- P"'' "■''""'1^. Speed ; £97 Os. 2d. Dugd., which was the first valuation : but, upon a second valuation,
£161 5s, yd.
''At Furness, a Cistercian Abbey. The monastery, begun at Tulketh, A.D. 1124, for the monks of Savigny, in France, was,
alter three years (viz. a.d. 1127), removed to this valley, then called BekangesgiU.^ Stephen, the Earl of Morton and Bologue,
2 Th^^-nenaioni tn thn nnnprin,.. ^,^;„A t „-.„„^ „ "^™ *' *'' "0"." This, however, is an over-estimate, taking the price oJ
T>,» „ii„r???^^n^ ;1.T, „,1^ „ „?? '"■°'" '^■^<"' t° £" P'^'' annum. wheat as the criterion.
mfrifeT diat not on Xh,tl^ p" n '? ^l?' ^, ^"^ "'^°^^ «'"-"™^ 1""1 ' ™^ '""' ""^ Coverdalo Bible, printed anew in Paris by Covordale and
Mnsionsof six fZ or two nnn nl lH" °"n'' """'"' '"^'''^ *"°"'='i *3™"™- Another edition of the Uiblo w,xs printed io 153S, known »s
Fee to nrovid^forhuTmmed'^Z w,' J^ Ti,™"" "'■ " "'1"^ as a departure " Cranmor's," or "The Great Bible." These Oranmer appointed to be sold
about£4 "It sLuid h^wevP,- T^^^^ The pensions to iiuos averaged at Vis. id. each one, or if CromweU would give the printers exclusive
wCmw;n,,i/"twtl,T ' *^™™^ says Dr. Lingard, from privilege, at 10s. each.-C.
rniTr as moneV JST nrohawrnf ThTf "° ■ '." ".'""^ '° ™^" "^ ^^"y * ^^^ monastery, by favour of the king, outlived for » short time
appear, as monej was, probably, at that period, of tea times more value the general dissolution.
» The Vale of the Deadly Nightshade,
CHAP. XII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 211
(afterward King of England), waa the founder of this ahbey, which was of the Cistercian order, and commended to the patronage of
the blessed Virgin Mary. It was endowed at the dissolution with £805 I63. 5d. per annum, Dugd. ; £766 Ts. lOd., Speed.
"At Up Holand, a Benedictine Priory. Here was, in the chapel of St. Thomas the Martyr, a college or chantry, consisting
of a dean and twelve secular priests, who were changed (a.d. 1319) by Walter, lord bishop of Litchfield, at the petition of Sir
Robert Holand, then patron, and, as I conceive, original founder, into a prior and Benedictine monks. Here were, about the time
of the suppression, five religious, and twenty-six servants. This house was valued at £53 'Ss. 4d. per annum, Dugd. ; £61 3s. 4d.,
Speed ; and at £78 12s. according to a, second valuation. It was granted, 37 Henry VIII. (1545), to John Holcroft.
" At Hornby, a Premonstratensian Cell.^ An hospital or cell of a prior and three Premonstratensian canons to the abbey of
Croxton, in Leicestershire, of the foundation of the ancestors of Sir Thomas Stanley, Lord Monteagle, to whom the site and domains
of this priory (as parcel of Croxton) were gi-anted, 36 Henry VIII. (1544). It was dedicated to St. Wilfred, and endowed with lands
to the value of £26 per annum.
"At Kekshall or Ktrkshawb, a Cluniao Cell. King Henry II. granted, and King John, anno regni I. (1199), confirmed, to
the monastery of Nottinghamshire, the hermitage here, which thereupon became a small house of Cluniao monks, and a cell to that
priory was granted, 32 Henry VIII. (1540), to Baldwin Willoughby.
" At ICebtmel or Cartmele, a Priory of Austin's Canons. William Maresohall the elder. Earl of Pembroke, founded here
(a.d. 1188) a priory of regular canons of the order of St. Austin, which was dedicated to the blessed Virgin, and rated, 26 Henry
VIII. (1534), at £91 6s. 3d. per annum, Dugd. ; £124 2s. Id., Speed ; £212 lis. lOd. second valuation. Herein, about the time of
the dissolution, were reckoned ten religious, and thirty-eight servants. The site of this monastery was granted, 32 Henry VIII.
(1540), to Thomas Holcroft.
"At Lancaster — (.1) an Alien Priory. Earl Roger of Poictiers gave (a.d. 1094) the Church of St. Mary, with some other
lands here, to the abbey of St. Martin de Sagio, or Sees, in Normandy, whereupon a prior and five Benedictine monks were placed
here, who, with three priests, two clerks and servants, made up a small monastery, subordinate to that foreign house, which was
endowed with the yearly revenue of about £80 sterling. After the dissolution of the alien priories this, with the land thereunto
belonging, was annexed by King Henry V. or his feofiees to the abbey of Syon, in Middlesex. (2) An hospital for a master
chapIin and nine poor persons, whereof three to be lepers, was founded in this town by King John, while he was Earl of Morton,
which was afterwards, by Henry, Duke of Lancaster, annexed to the nunnery of Seton, in Cumberland, about 30 Edward III. (1356),
It was dedicated to St. Leonard. (3) A priory for Black Friars. Here was a house of Dominican or Black Friars, founded about
44 Henry IIL (1260) by Sir Hugh Harrington, Knight, which was granted, 32 Henry VIII. (1540), to Thomas Holcroft. (4) A
Friary for Grey Friars. A Franciscan Convent near the bridge.
" Langrigh, now Longridge. An ancient hospital under Longridge Hills, of a master and brethren, dedicated to the Virgin
Mary and our Holy Saviour.
"At Lythom or Lethum, a Benedictine Cell. Richard Fitz-Roger, in the latter end of the reign of King Richard I., gave
lands here to the church of Durham, with intent that a prior and Benedictine monks might be settled here, to the honour of
St. Mary and St. Cuthbert. Its annual revenues at the suppression were worth £48 193. 6d., Dugd.; £53 15s. lOd., Speed. The
site as parcel of Durham was granted, 2 Mary (1554), to Sir Thomas Holcroft.
" At Manchester, a College,'' Thomas de la Ware, clerk, some time rector of the parish church here (having the barony and
estate of his brother, John Lord de la Ware, without heirs), obtained leave of the king, 9 Henry V. (1421), to make it collegiate,
to consist of a warden and a certain number of priests. It was dedicated to the blessed Virgin, and endowed with revenues to
the yearly value of £200, or, as they were returned into the firstfruits office, 26 Henry VIII. (1534), £226 12s. 5d. in the whole,
and £213 10s. lid. clear. This college was dissolved in 1547 by King Edward VI., but re-founded, first by Queen Mary, and
afterwards by Queen Elizabeth (a.d. 1578), and again by King Charles I. (a.d. 1636), for a warden, four fellows, two chaplains, four
singing men, and four choristers ; being incorporated, as they were before by Queen Elizabeth, by the name of ' the Warden and
Fellows of Christ Church, in Manchester." , , . , - i_ , ,u
" At Penwortham, a Benedictine Priory. Warine Bussel, having given the Church and tithes of this place, with several other
estates in this county, to the abbey of Evesham, in Worcestershire, in the time of William the Conqueror, here was shortly after a
priory erected, and several Benedictine monks from Evesham placed ia it. This priory was dedicated to the Virgin Mary, and
rated 26 Henry VIII. (1534), at £29 18s. 7d. per annum, as Dugdale in one place, and £99 5s. 3d. as he saith in another ; and at
£114 163. 9d. per annum, as Speed. The site was granted, 34 Henry VIH. (1642), to John Fleetwood.
"At Preston— (1) An ancient Hospital, dedicated to St. Mary Magdalen, occurs in the Lincoln taxation (a.d. 1291). Ihe
mastership was in the gift of the king. (2) A Friary, for Grey Friars. The original builder of the Grey Friars' College, on the
north-west side of this town, was Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, son to King Henry III., the site of which was granted, 32 Henry VIII.
(1540), to Thomas Holcroft. , . ■ r l i- n • « j j
" At Warrington, a Friary for Austin Friars. At the bridge-end of this town was a priory for Augustine Friars, founded
before a.d. 1370 which, 32 Henry VIII. (1540), was granted to the often- mentioned Thomas Holcroft. • , ^ .^
"At Whallby, an Abbey for Cistercians. Henry Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, havmg given the advowson of the parish to the
White Monks of Stanlawe, in Cheshire, they procured the same to be appropriated to them, whereupon (a.d. 1296), they removed
their abbey hither, and increased the number of their religious to sixty There was another removal proposed to a Pl^oe c^Ued
Tocstathe, by Thomas, Earl of Lancaster (a.d. 1316), but it seems not to have ^ken effect. Whalleyw^ dedicated to the b essed
Virgin Maryf and, at the suppression, had revenues to the yearly value of £321 9s. Id., Dugd. ; £551 43. 6d., Speed. It was
granted to Richard Ashton and John Braddyll, 7 Edward VI. (1553). t- c j 1, u„^ „i,„„f
"At Wybbsdalb, a Cistercian Abbey. A colony of Cistercian monks from Furness, for some time fixed here ; but about
A.D. 1188 they removed over into Ireland, and founded the abbey of Wythney.
The lands and revenues of the monasteries of Furness, Carfcmel, Conishead Burscough, and
Up-Holland, were confided by Parliament to the officers of the duchy ot Lancaster, to be
aiainistered for the king's use.' The king also annexed to the duchy of Lancaster property of
the yearly value of £769 4s. 2-|d., subject to an annua pension to chantry priests of £126 2s 4d
This appropriation was made through the medium of the Court of Augmen ation, which cour was
established in year 1535, for the purpose of ordering, surveying, selling, or lettmg, all manors land^^^
tithes, and other property belonging to the monasteries. The number of monasteries suppressed
in England and Wales amounted in the whole to six hundred and forty-five exclusive ol ninety^
six cofleges, two thousand three hundred and seventy-four chantries and free chapels and one
hundred and ten hospitals,^ the value of which property has been variously estimated, but,
• This cell was resigned before the visitation In 1535. I rlmS B "t. f cxd ' '"'
= Thi3 collegt escaped the general dissolution, or was speedily » Camden s Brit, 1. cxoi.
restored.
212
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XII.
according to the Liber Regis, it yielded annually £142,914 12s. D^d./ which, taken at twenty
years' purchase, would produce £2,858,290," worth in our money, £28,582,900. The revenues of
the church before the dissolution of the monasteries is said to have equalled about one-fourth of
the whole landed income of the kingdom.'' According to the records in the Augmentation Office *
the process pursued by the commissioners on the dissolution of each of the monasteries was as
follows : (1) The commissioners broke its seal, and assigned pensions to the members. (2) The
plate and jewels were reserved for the king, the furniture and goods were sold, and the money
was paid in to the Augmentation Office. (3) The abbot's lodgings and the offices were left standing,
for the convenience of the next occupant ; the church, cloisters, and apartments for the monks
were stripped of the lead and every other saleable article, and then left to fall to ruins. (4) The
lands were by degrees alienated from the crown by gift, sale, or exchange. A revenue so immense
as that yielded by the monasteries might, under judicious application, have extinguished all the
public burdens both for the support of the state and the relief of the poor, and expectations of this
kind were held out to the people.* But they were soon undeceived : pauperism became more
extensive than ever, and within one year from the period of the last appropriation a subsidy of
two-tenths and another of two-fifteenths were demanded by the king, and granted by Parliament,
to defray the expenses of religious reforms." Henry VIIL, like his predecessor, was rapacious —
with this difference, however, that the father collected money to save, while the son amassed wealth
to supply the demands of a licentious profusion. Much of the church property was disposed of to
the king's favourites, by grants or by indulgent sales, one of the conditions of which was, that the
new proprietors of the abbey lands should keep up the ancient hospitality ; but as this was in some
degree voluntary, the practice soon fell into disuse. A portion of the monastic revenues was
appropriated to the advancement of religion, though much less than Cranmer had projected and
the king had originally promised. His first purpose, as appears from documents under his own
hand, was to found eighteen new bishoprics, but the number declined from time to time till it was
at last reduced to six. Westminster was the first, in which he endowed a bishopric, a deanery,
twelve prebendaries, a choir, and other officers. The year after this he endowed Chester (which
included Lancashire and Richmondshire in Yorkshire), Gloucester, and Peterborough ; but in
these cathedrals he only endowed six prebendaries. Two years after he likewise endowed Oxford
and Bristol. He also converted the priories of Canterbury, Winchester, Durham, Worcester, Ely,
Rochester, and Carlisle into collegiate churches, consisting of deans and prebendaries.' Anciently
there had been a bishop's see at Chester, but it had merged in the diocese of Lichfied. But none
of these were in this county. That the endowments might not be too rich, each chapter had
imposed upon its ecclesiastical revenue the obligation of contributing annually to the support of
the resident poor, and to the repair of the highways.'* The order of the Knights of St. John of
Jerusalem, including the Knights Templar and the Hospitallers, after having existed for four
hundred and thirty-six years, was doomed to suppression by legislative enactment (1540); and the
Universities of Oxford and Cambridge, happily for learning in future ages, escaped, though
narrowly, the same fate. The chantries in the monasteries and churches of this county were very
numerous at the period of the Reformation, as may be inferred from the following List of Chantries,
Avhich Ave find in the records of the office of the duchy of Lancaster : —
1. Warton Church stipend, no date.
2. Kirkeby Irelath. Chiintry.
3. Leverpule Chapel.
4. Leverpole Chapel.
5. Eccleeton. Chantry.
6. Sefton. Chantry.
7. Croston. Chantry.
8. Manchester College. Tithes.
9. Manchester. Tithes in Moston, Norton [? Gorton or Newton],
Kirkemanshulme, Croiueshall.
' Annual Revenue of
Ifo. of Houses.
ALL THB Ml
Ordekh.
Orders.
1S6
ao
BcncdiL'tiiics
Cluiiiaca
1* Ciirthu«iaiis
101
Cisturci.'ms
173 Anstiua
a!i47 15 4'r
iMilll 1^ ()
■n 1 11
•i^ l*renionsttatcnHian3 4S07 14
25 Clilbei-tinc,
3 Poutefraud Nuiia
y JUnoreasos
1 Bridgetlnes ...
2 Ijonhommcs ....
^4:11 11!
!s:j.o 8
f) IS 10
1731 S
SOO 6
10. Buisooughe Priory, the Manor.
11. Ormskirke. Chantry.
12. Eocles. Chantry.
13. St. Michael's-on-Wyre. Chantry.
14. Manchester, Beckwith's. Chantry.
15. Manchester College. Tithes of Trafford, Stratford, and
Chollerton .
16. Halsal Church. Chantry.
17. Yerleth. Parcel of the Monastery of Furnes.
18. Br'amonde. Parcel of the Monastery of Furues.
NASTic H0USE.S ClaSjSEo IN TiFE Ha. of Houses.
Orders.
Bj'.veniie.
£ s. d.
Knights Hospitallers 5394 G 51
, „. , „ l''ri,irs 800 11 Si
liishop Burnot say.s " the valued ronts o£ the abbey lands, as they
wore tlieu let, was .tl3L',iJ07 Us. 4d., bat they were worth above ten times
as much in true value." (Hlstorij of the Jiefonnation). - C.
= Ijord Herbert, p. Silli.
Burnet's Rceords, i. 151.
^ Luke's lust, iv, 4l.
« Ilonry'b enormous expenditure is easily accounted for by the fact
that his princip.al employment was gambling Vrirt/ Parse lixpmses of
Iknry Vlll. p. xxiii.
' Burnet.— C.
** Rymer xv. 77,
CHAP. XII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
213
19. St. Miohael'E-on-Wyre. Chantry.
20. Manchester College. Tithes of Grain of Bradford, Ardewiok
and Openshaw.
21. Bailie. Chantry in the Chapel within the Parish of Mitton,
Yorkshire.
22. Chantry in Lancaster.
23. Hollingfare Chapel, in Warrington.
24. Stindish Church. Chantry.
25. WarringtOQ Church. Butler's Chantry.
26. Halsall Church. Chantry.
27. Preston Church, St. Mary's Chapel.
28. Ribchester Church. Chantry.
52. Pickering Lythe. Parcel of the Manor, in Yorkshire. Win-
dell Chapell in Prescot. Chantry.
53. Beckingshaw Chapel in Croston, and a tenement in Preston,
parcel of the possession of College of New-warke, Leicester.
54. Silverdale, Bolton, Hest, parcel of the Monastery of Cartmell.
55. Clitherow Chapel, in Whalley. Chantry.
66. Manchester Church, TrafFord's Chapel. Chantry.
57. Ecoles Church. College of Jesus.
The condition of the people appears to have suffered with the suppression of the monastic
institutions. No fewer than four separate statutes Avere passed between the years 1535 and 1544,
setting forth lists of decayed cities and towns in different and in almost all parts of the kingdom,
wherein it is declared, " That there hath been in times past many beautiful houses in those places
which are now falling into ruin," and amongst the towns mentioned in the Act of 1544 are,
" Lancaster, Preston,_Lyrepool, and Wigan, in Lancashire."
The privilege of sanctuary was one of the evils of the monastic system, though its date is
anterior to the foundation of monasteries. In virtue of this privilege certain places became cities
of refuge — " seats of peace," as they were called ; and the inviolability of these asylums in early
times is sufficiently indicated by the answer of Cardinal Bourchier, when importuned by the
creatures of the Duke of Gloucester to bear away his ill-fated nephew, young Richard of York,
from the sanctuary of Westminster : —
" God in heaven forbid
We should infringe the holy privilege
Of blessed sanctuary I Nut for all this land
Would I be guilty of so deep a sin."
Shakspeke's Rich. III. Act iii. Scene 1.
" These sanctuaries were first instituted and designed for an asylum or place of safety to such malefactors as were not guilty of
any notorious crimes. . . There were many of them in this kingdom before the Conquest ; and they became so numerous
after, and so scandalous (divers of them having obtained protection for those that were guilty of high treason, murder, rape,
felony, &c.), that, being complained of in Parliament, 1540, immediately after the dissolution of the religious houses, the greatest
part of them were suppressed, and those few that remained reduced to their first institution," '
By an Act passed 32 Henry VIII. (1540-1) it was decreed that all sanctuaries, with the
exception of certain places named, should be "utterly extinguished." Manchester and Lancaster
were the places so excepted in Lancashire ; but when trade began to extend itself, the
nuisance of a harbour for thieves and other delinquents became intolerable, and by an Act passed
83 Henry VIII. (1541-2) Manchester, by reason of the presence of the sanctuary men being, as was
alleged, prejudicial to the wealth, credit, good occupyings, and good order of the town, was allowed
to forego its privilege, and to transport all the refugees within its jurisdiction to Chester, which,
being poor, could not lose much by their irregularities.
The position of religious parties in Lancashire in the closing years of Henry's reign may be
briefly stated. The progress of the Reformation kept pace with the dissolution of the Papal
institutions ; but in the northern and western, the less populous parts of the county, the ncAV
doctrines advanced but slowly, many of the more influential families adhering to the old form of
faith, The Earl of Derby having enriched himself considerably out of the spoils of the suppressed
monasteries, and being, moreover, as he professed himself, a believer in the "religion of good
luck," was an ardent supporter of the Reformation; and many others, who had in like manner
profited by the wholesale confiscations, were influenced by the same prudent considera,tions. But
the esquires and lesser gentry, who had gained nothing, cared little for the new services, and in
many instances their attachment to the old religion was strengthened by jealousy of their more
fortunate neighbours. In the south-eastern parts of the county, the Salford Hundred— which
included the manufacturing and trading towns of Manchester, Bolton, Bury, and Rochdale, with
their busy, industrial inhabitants— the reformed faith had many zealous adherents, and eventually
gained complete ascendancy, though not without many religious conflicts and the manifestation of
much bitterness of feeling. .
The king survived the dissolution of the monasteries seven years, but no event occurred m
that period, of public interest in the history of Lancashire. During his last sickness he revoked
his former wills, and ordained that, after his death, his three children, Edward, Mary, and Elizabeth,
should succeed him in the sovereign power, the son as male heir, and the daughters in the order
of primogeniture. He died at Westminster on the 28th of January, 1547. His death was concealed
for three days, but when at length the solemn sound was heard from the bell towers ol England
proclaiming the fact, it not only announced his decease but the downfall also of the Romish system
in this country.
'' ' Burton's MSS,
CHAPTER XIII,
Lancashire in the Reign of Edward VI. — in the Reign of Queen Mary — Lancashire Martyrs : John Rogers, John Bradford, George
Marsh — Muster of Soldiers in the County of Lancaster in Mary's Reign — Lancashire in the Reign of Elizabeth — General
Muster of Soldiers in Lancashire in 1559 — Ecclesiastical Commission, consisting of the Earl of Derby, the Bishop of Chester
and others — State of Lancashire on the Appointment of the Commission — Catholic Recusants — Mary Queen of Scots seeks
an Asylum in England — Placed in Confinement — Puritan Recusants— Rebellion in the North to re-establish the Catholic
Religion — Suppressed — Meetings of the Lieutenancy — Original Letter of Edward, Earl of Derby, to the Queen — Letter of
the Earl of Huntingdon to Secretary Cecil, casting Suspicion on the Loyalty of the Earl of Derby — Proved to be Ill-founded —
Part taken by Lancashire Gentlemen to Liberate Mary Queen of Scots — Comparative Military Strength of the Kingdom —
Muster of Soldiers in Lancashire in 1574 — Declaration of the Ancient Tenth and Fifteenth within the County of Lancaster—
The Chaderton MSS. relating to the Affairs of the County of Lancaster — Original Papers relating to the Lancashire
Recusants — Lancashire Contribution of Oxen to Queen Elizabeth's Table — MS. of the Lancashire Lieutenancy — Lancashire
Loyal Association against Mary Queen of Scots and her Abettors — Trial and Execution of Mary Queen of Soots — The Spanish
Armada — Letter from the Queen to the Earl of Derby thereon — Preparations in Lancashire to Resist — Destruction of—
Thanksgiving for National Deliverance in Lancashire — Memorable and Fatal Feud — Atrocious Abduction — Levies of Troops
in Lancashire for Ireland — Suppression of the Rebellion there — Death of Queen Elizabeth — Loyal Address of Lancashire
Gentry to her Successor, James I., on his Accession to the Throne. — a.d. 1547 to 1603.
jVERY year during the " infant reign " of Edward VI. the Reformation continued
to advance with a steady step ; but no events of any distinguished public interest
occurred within this period connected with the county palatine of Lancaster.
In the first year of this reign, Francis, Earl of Shrewsbury, was constituted
lord-lieutenant of the counties of Lancaster, York, Chester, Derby, Stafibrd, Salop,
and Nottingham, and in the following he was made justice of the forests north of
the Trent. ^ Under the inhibition of a proclamation,- issued by the Lord-protector
Somerset, in the name of the king, all places of public worship belonging to
Dissenters, as well Protestant as Catholic, in this and the other counties of England, were closed ;
and any preacher, of whatsoever persuasion, who took upon himself to preach in an open audience,
except such as were licensed by the lord-protector, or by the Archbishop of York, became obnoxious
to the sovereign will. The avowed object of this intolerant proclamation was " to produce an
uniform order throughout the realm, and to put an end to all controversies in religion." At the
same time there was a board of commission formed for advancing the Reformation, of which
Edward, Earl of Derby, was a commissioner. This document was founded upon an Act of
Parlianient, by which the Archbishop of Canterbury, "with other learned and discreet bishops and
divines," was directed to draw up an order of divine worship, called a liturgy, or book of common
prayer. The result of its labours was the production of an English form of communion, and
further, by November, 1548, it had drawn up a complete English Service Booh, now known as the
First Prayer-Boole of Ediuarcl VI." This duty having been performed to the satisfaction of the
king and his Parliament, it was enacted that from the feast of Whitsunday, June 9th, 1549, all
divine offices should be performed according to the prescribed ritual, and that such of the clergy as
should refuse to conform, or should continue to officiate in any other manner, should, upon
capviction, be imprisoned six months, and forfeit a year's profit of their benefices ; for the second
offence, forfeit all church preferment, and suffer a year's imprisonment ; and for the third offence,
suffer imprisonment during life. And all that should write or print anything against this liturgy
were to be fined, for the first offence, ten pounds; for the second twenty pounds; and for the third
forfeit all their property, with imprisonment for life. Against this act, the Earl of Derby and eight
of the bishops entered their protest on the journals of the Lords. In the same arbitrary spirit a law
was made against vagabonds, by which it was enacted that any persons who should be found three
days together, loitering without work, or without offering themselves to work, or that should run
\ If ?*5'|. I'l"^t'J^t>0'i3, i p. xiT. essentially different from that of the present day. It was based upon
uaAxa. September 23, 1548. th^ aiicijnt Catholic S'srvioes, which had been handed down from the
II J ii fP?^ variations in a subsequent edition of 1552, which was primitive ages of the Church ; and which the English people had tor
called the Secmid Book of King Edward VI.," this Liturgy is not genorationshcardsuiigorsaid, withoutcomprehendiiig themeaning— C.
^H
-I
^m
(^HAP. xiiT. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
215
away_ from work, and resolve to live idly, should be seized on ; and whosoever should present them
to a justice ot the peace was to have them adjudged to be slaves for two years, and they were to be
marked with the letter ^ imprinted with a hot iron on their breast. ' Two years afterwards (1550)
this cruel statute was repealed/^ and provisions were made for relieving the sick and impotent, and
for setting such ot the poor who were able to work; on which law the celebrated statute of the 43rd
Elizabeth (1601) was grounded. That the Earl of Derby and several of the bishops should have
protested against the Act of Uniformity, and its impracticable provisions, which Act presumptuously
assumed " to be drawn up by the aid of the Holy Ghost," could not be matter of wonder ; but why
his lordship, and the Earls of Rutland and Sussex, the Viscount Hereford, and Lords Monteagle,
Sands, Wharton, and Evers,= should enter a protest against an Act passed prohibiting all simoniacal
pactions for reservation of pensions out of benefices, and the granting of advowsons while the
incumbent was yet alive, it is difficult to discover, unless upon the supposition that his lordship
headed an opposition alike hostile to all the measures of the existing administration, whether good
or bad. The Act for Legalising the Marriage of the Clergy passed in the same year, and was also
protested against by the Earl oi Derby, by the Earls of Shrewsbury, Rutland and Bath, and by the
Lords Abergavenny, Stourton, Monteagle, Sands, "Wharton, and Evers. Edward VI., or rather the
regency by which his government was directed, imitating the example of his royal father,
instituted a visitation, by which the chantries of Lancashire were inspected by two lay gentlemen
appointed for that purpose, and by a civilian, a divine, and a registrar, in order to ascertain the
state of the chantries, and to apply their revenues to the king's use, to be expended, as was alleged,
in the endowment of schools, the maintenance of the poor, and the erection of colleges. These
visitations became general throughout the provinces of Canterbury and York, and the suppression
of chantries followed as a matter of course.'' Subsequently, Lord Paget, the chancellor of the
duchy of Lancaster, was charged with having appropriated large sums out of the revenues of
the suppressed chantries to his own use, and with other acts of malversation, of which charges he
was convicted, on vague and unsatisfactory evidence, and fined in the enormous sum of six thousand
pounds. Nor did the severity of his lordship's sentence end here : he was degraded from his rank
as a Knight of the Order of the Garter, because he was not a gentleman by descent, either from his
father or his mother. His real offence, however, consisted in his steady adherence to the fallen
protector, the Duke of Somerset, by which he became obnoxious to his successful uncle, the Duke
of Northumberland.
"His Majesty's Council in the Northern Parts," an institution arising out of the demands of
the Pilgrims of Grace, for the purpose of facilitating the administration of justice, without subjecting
suitors in the north to the trouble and cost of repairing to the metropolis, was organised in this
reign, and the Earl of Shrewsbury was appointed to the office of lord president of the council.
This court, which was in some degree viceregal, consisted of a council, with the president at its
head, assisted by Henry, Earl of Westmorland, Henry, Earl of Cumberland, Cuthbert, Bishop of
Durham, Lord William Dacres of the north, John, Lord Conyers, Thomas, Lord Wharton, John
Hind, knt., one of his majesty's justices of the common pleas, Edmund Molyneux, knt., serjeant-
at-law, Henry Savel, knt., Robert Bowes, knt., Nicholas Fairfax, knt., George Conyers, knt.,
Leonard Becquith, loat., William Bapthorp, knt., Anthony Nevill, knt., Thomas Gargrave, knt.,
Robert Mennell, serjeant-at-law, Anthony Bellasis, John Rokeby, doctor of law, Robert Chaloner,
Richard Morton, and Thomas Eynis, esqrs. The sum of a thousand pounds a year was granted to
the lord-president for the better entertainment of himself and his council, with divers revenues to
the stipendiary members, who were required to be in continual attendance upon the council, except
at such times as a certificate of absence was granted to any of them by the lord president. The
council was furnished with powers to decide cases between plaintiffs and defendants in their bill of
complaint, without replication, rejoinder, or other plea of delay, with power and authority to
punish such persons as in anything should neglect, contemn, or disobey their command, or the
process of the council, and all other that should speak seditious words, invent rumours, or commit
such like offences (not being treason) whereof any inconvenience might grow, by pillory, cutting
the ears, wearing of papers, imprisonment, or otherwise, at their discretion ; or to assess fines of all
persons who might be convicted of any riot ; and to assess costs and damages, as well to the plaintiffs
' The wholesale evictions consequent upon the break-up of the feudal = The Act 5 aad 6 Edward VI., cap. 2 directs the parson, vicar,
system and the suppression of the religious houses, where, previously, curate, and churchwardens to appoint two collectors to distribute weekly
the poor had been principally relieved, led to a large increase of vagrancy, to the poor. This Act was renewed and extended by 2 and 3 Philip and
torestrainwhichmanyenaetmentsweremadeinthereign of Henry VIII., Mary, and the 5th, Uth, 18th, and 39fch Elizabeth, and in 1601 the Act
some of extreme severity. The Act here referred to (1 Edward VI., 43 Elizabeth, cap. 2, made assessment compulsory.— C.
cap. 3) recites the increase of idle vagabonds, and after prescribing the " Journals of the Lords, 1552. t ,.v /^v, t • . „.-n„-„ tv,„
punishment for offenders, directs that impotent persons be removed to * See the Rev. Canon Haines s History of the Chantries within the
the place where they had resided for three years, and allowed to beg. County Palatine of Lancaster (vols. 59 and 00 of the ohetbam Society s
and further, that a collection be made in the churches every Sunday series).— H.
and holiday, after reading the Gospel of the day, the amount to be
applied tp the relief of bedridden poor.— C.
216
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xni.
as to the defendants. And for the more certain and brief determination of causes, it was ordained
that the lord-president and council should keep four general sessions or sittings in a year, each of
them to continue by the space of one month — one at York, another at Hull, the third at Newcastle,
and the fourth at Durham, within the limits whereof the matters arising there should be ordered
and decreed.^ In fixing upon these places for holding the periodical sessions of the council, the
convenience of the eastern rather than of the western counties of the north seems to have been
consulted ; and it is difficult to say why Lancaster was not fixed upon, in making the arrangement,
in preference to either Durham or Newcastle. That the suitors mightnot be oppressed with heavy
bills of costs, it was directed " that no attorney should take, in one sitting or sessions, above twelve
pence, nor any counsellor more than twenty pence, for one matter." A fatal malady soon afterwards
seized the young monarch, who, in his last sickness, was entrusted to the charms and medicines of
a female empiric. On the 6th of July, 1553, he expired, with the reputation of high talents for
government, had time suffered them to be fully developed. He was succeeded, after an ineffectual
effort in favour of the unfortunate Lady Jane Grey, the victim of the ambition of others, by his
sister the Lady Mary, only daughter of Catherine of Arragon.
The reio-n of Queen Mary is known in the history of Lancashire, as it is in the other parts of
the kingdom" of England, more by the bloody persecution which stained it than by any other
circumstance. The reproach of the loss of Calais, the last remaining stronghold of England in
France, is almost obliterated by the streams of blood which flowed to satiate an embittered mind,
the abode of superstition and the slave of priestly domination. A period of nearly three hundred
years has scarcely been found sufficient to wash away these sanguinary stains froni the rehgious
community to whom they attach, though they were the crime of the age in which it was the
destiny of this unhappy queen to live, and her father and her sister both shared her guilt in a
mitigated degree. In the less accessible parts of Lancashire the Reformation had made but little
progress, and in other districts many of the people showed no great reluctance to return to the
religious observances of their fathers. The Earl of Derby, who was the moving spirit of the county,
was of the number. The queen Avas a Papist, and the earl's religious opinions were sufficiently elastic
to enable him without much difficulty to accommodate himself to the changed circumstances of the
times. Under Edward he had been a commissioner for the advancing of the Reformation ; under
Mary he became an orthodox Catholic, ready to persecute heretics, and to do everything good
Catholics should, except restore to the Church the ecclesiastical property that had fallen into his
possession. One of the first acts of Queen Mary was to re-establish the Roman supremacy, to crush
the leaders of the Reformation, and to trample under foot the newly-acquired liberties of the
English Church ; and in furtherance of that object the abolished chantries were immediately
restored, and though she could not prevail upon her Parliament to order the relinquishment by
their then possessors of the confiscated lands of the dissolved abbeys, she set a not ignoble example
by at once restoring those lands which had been attached to the crown from such sources. The
following list contains the names of the parish churches in Lancashire whose chantries were
restored in the first year of the queen's reign (1553-4), with stipends allowed to the chantry priests,
which were from £1 10s. to £6 per annum: Ashton-under-Lyne, Childwall, Croston (St. John
and St. Trinity), Goosnargh, Halsall (St. Nicholas and St. Mary's), Holme, Kirby, Kirkham 2,
Lancaster 2, Manchester Collegiate Church 7, Mawdline, St. Michael-on-Wyre, Ormskirk, Prestwich,
Rufford, Blackburn, Tarleton, Standish 2, Tunstal, Thurland Castle, Ulverstone, Walton 2,
Warrington 3, Warton, Wigan, and Winwick 2. During the life of her father, Mary had written
a penitential letter, expressing her contrition for not having submitted herself to his "most iust
and virtuous laws," in the matter of the Reformation, and putting her conscience under his royal
and paternal direction. The letter is preserved in the Harleian Collection.^ The subsequent
death of the king, and the possession of the royal power on the part of his daughter, obliterated the
remembrance of these solemn protestations, and she became still more fixed than before in her
attachment to the ancient faith. Her matrimonial alliance with Philip, King of Spain, strengthened
her previous partialities ; and the presence of Cardinal Pole, legate of the pope, one of the most
learned of the clergy, and one of the most devoted disciples of the church of Rome, conspired to
fix this attachment. An Act for reviving the statutes of 5 Richard II. , 2 Henry IV., and 2 Henry V.
against heretics (the Lollards) was hurried through the Parliament, and gave the sanction of law to
the executions which speedily followed." The first martyr in this reign was John Rogers, one of
the translators of the Bible in the time of Henry VIII. ,^ a Lancashire man, educated at Cambridge,
' Bishop Burnet's Collection of Records, book i. p, ii., No. 66. of January then next coining be revived, and be in lull force, strength,
' Cod. 282. See also Cotton M8S. lib. Otho, O.X. and effect, to all intents, constructions, and purposes tor ever."— C.
= This Act (1 and 2 Philip and Mary, c. 6), for the punishment of •* In the dedicatory epistle of that Bible this divine signs himself
heresies, directs that " every article, branch, and sentence contained in Thomas Matthew.— C.
the same three several Acts, and every of them, shall froni the 20th day
CHAP. xm. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
217
fw Tt t- theological scholars of the age. The offence with which he was charged was
that of holding a meeting near Bow Church, in London, where a minister of the name of Ross had
administered the communion according to the rites of the English book of service, and had openly
prayed that God would either change the heart of the queen or take her out of the world Thi
tribunal before which he was condemned sat on the 28th of January, 1555, and consisted of the
Bishojs of Winchester, London, Durham, Salisbury, Norwich, and Carlisle; and sentence was
passed both upon Hooper, the silenced Bishop of Gloucester, and Rogers ; but the utmost severity
of the law was only executed on the latter, the former having at that time been merely degraded
^T tj^%o^^e^°f t^e priesthood Seven days after the sentence of condemnation was passed
(Feb. 4), Rogers was called to make ready for Smithfield, where he was sentenced to be burnt at
the stake lor heresy. When brought to Bonner, Bishop of London, to be degraded, he asked
permission to see his wife, in order that he might, through her, convey his dying blessing to his
ten children ; but the reqiiest was peremptorily refused, with the insulting taunt that he was a
priest, and could not possibly have a wife. When fastened to the stake, a pardon was brought
and offered to him, on condition that he would recant ; but, with an intrepidity which nothing
but rehgious principle can inspire, he rejected the proffered clemency, and assumed the crown o'f
martyrdom. Hooper was afterwards sent to his former episcopal city of Gloucester, and on the
9th February was burnt at the stake in front of the cathedral.
The next Lancashire martyr executed in Smithfield was John Bradford, born at Manchester,
who had m early life been a man of the world, and filled the office of secretary to Sir John
Harrington, the treasurer of Henry VIII. and Edward VL At a subsequent period he became a
divine of exemplary piety,' of mild and diffident manners, but of a character so decided that he
did not hesitate to lay do^vn his life for the truth of that religion which he had embraced from
strong conviction. To so high a pitch had religious hostility attained, that Bourn, a canon of St.
Paul's, and afterwards Bishop of Bath, Avhile preaching a sermon in favour of the Catholic faith,
had a dagger hurled at him by one of the congregation. From this violence he was happily
rescued by Bradford, who assuaged the storm of popular tumult. But this was made a charge
against him ; and it was alleged that his power to allay the storm proved that he could direct
the elements of which it was composed. Though a prebendary of St. Paul's, he preached much
in Lancashire, his native county, where his piety and zeal rendered his ministry peculiarly
acceptable. Being sent to the King's Bench Prison, he was tried along with Dr. Rowland Taylor
for denying the doctrine of transubstantiation, or the corporeal presence of Christ in the sacrament,
and asserting that wicked men do not partake of Christ's body in that ordinance. In vain was
his fear appealed to. He would admit ot no tenets or practices but such as were contained in the
Holy Scriptures; and being found "incorrigible " he Avas deemed a heretic, first excommunicated,
and then condemned. For some months he was confined in Newgate, in the hope that he wouM
retract his " heretical errors ; " but instead of abjuring, he employed himself in promulgating
them, particularly amongst his friends in Lancashire ; and the Earl of Derby, in declaiming against
him in the House of Lords, informed their lordships that Bradford had done more hurt by the
letters he had written while he was in prison than he could have done by preaching, had he been
at large and at liberty to preach.^ " With Bradford," says Bishop Burnet, " one John Lease, an
apprentice of nineteen, was led out to be burnt, who was also condemned upon his answers to the
articles exhibited to him. When they came to the stake, they both fell down and prayed. Then
Bradford took a fagot in his hands, and kissed it ; and so likewise kissed the stake, expressing
thereby the joy he had in his sufferings, and cried, ' England, repent, repent, beware of
idolatry and false anti-christ ! ' But the sheriff hindering him from speaking any more, he
embraced his fellow-sufferer, and prayed him to be of good comfort, for they should sup Avith
Christ that night. His last words were, ' Strait is the way, and narrow is the gate, that leadeth
into eternal life, and few there be that find it.' " (July, 1555.)'
George Marsh, a native of the parish of Dean, was the third and last Lancashire martyr who
» When he became religious " he sold," saj-s Simpson, his intimate blood sake of his dear Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ. Ah I good brotliren,
friend "his chains rings, brockets, and jewels o£ gold, which before he take in good part these my last words unto every one of you. Pardon
used to wear and did bestow the price of this his former vanity in the me mine offences and negligences in behaviour amongst you. The Lord
necessary relief of Christ's poor members." of mercy pardon us all our offences, for our Saviour Jesua Christ s sake
2 These letters breathed the most ardent spirit of piety, combined Amen." .^^, ,_^ ^^ , .^ j j -i, „
with an invincible heroism ; and in one of them, addressed to tho •' It is said thot Lord Derby interceded with the queen to spare the
inhabitants of "Lancashire and Cheshire," written from his prison a life of Bradford, and that one of his servants proposed to assist Bradford
short time before his martyrdom, he thus expresses himself: "Turn to leave the kingdom on conditions which the martyr declined (r.anca-
unto the Lord vet once more I heartily beseech thee, thou Manchester, sJiire : Us Puritanism and Nonconformily). The council at first resolved
thou Ashton-under-Lyne thou Bolton, Bury, Wigan, Liverpool. Mot- that he should be committed to the Earl of Derby, in order that he might
tram Stocnort Winsley ['Woreley] Eccles, Prestwich, Middleton, be burnt in Manchester, but the authorities, from some cause or other
Radcliff and thou citv nf West-Chester, where I have truly taught and changed their purpose, and ordered him to be burnt in Smithfield.
nrcanhert the word of God Turn I say unto you all, and to all tho Probably the Enri of Derby felt some reluctance to undertake the burning
Inhabitants thereabouts • turn unto the Lord our God, and he will turn of the great preacher, whom he had himself encouraged to preach the
unto yuu • he will say unto his angel, ' It is enough, put up thy sword.' doctrines of the Reformation. -C.
And that' he do this, I humbly beseech his goodness, for the precious
29
218 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiii.
suffered in the reign of Queen Mary. This single-minded man had been brought up as a farmer
with his father, who was a Lancashire yeoman, but he afterwards embraced the profession of a
divine, and to his duties of a curate added those of an instructor of youth. The obscurity of his
station did not preserve him from persecution. He was charged with propagating heresy and
sowing the seeds of sedition ; and finding that he had become the object of suspicion, he surren-
dered himself to the Earl of Derby at Lathom House. Here he underwent various examinations,'
and several attempts were made to prevail upon him to espouse the Catholic faith, but as they all
proved unsuccessful, he was at length committed by his lordship to Lancaster Castle, where he was
again advised and entreated to recant. While in this situation, endeavours were made to extract
from him information, whereon to found charges against other persons in the county ; but no
motives of fear or reward could induce him to endanger the lives or liberties of his fellow-christians.
After remaining some time in confinement at Lancaster, he was removed to Chester, and placed in
the bishop's liberty. The bishop's (Dr. Coates's) endeavours to "reclaim" him having proved
ineffectual, he was remanded back to prison, and, in a few days, summoned before the spiritual
court, assembled in the Lady Chapel of the cathedral church at Chester, where, in the presence of
the mayor, the chancellor, and the principal inhabitants of the city, he was accused of having
preached most heretically and blasphemously in the parishes of Dean, Bolton, Bury, and Eccles, as
well as in other parishes in the bishop's diocese, not only against the pope's authority but against
the church of Rome, the holy mass, the sacraments of the altar, and the articles of the Romish
faith. To these charges he modestly answered he had preached neither heresy nor blasphemy,
and that the doctrines which he believed and had propagated were those sanctioned by royal
authority in the reign of Edward VI. On the subject of the power of the pope he did not hesitate
to declare that the bishop of Rome ought to exercise no more authority in England than the
Archbishop of Canterbury ought to exercise in Rome. This answer raised the Bishop of Chester's
indignation to the highest possible pitch, and the torrents of his wrath flowed out with so
much fury that he stigmatised his prisoner as " a most damnable, irreclaimable, and unpardonable
heretic." After some further endeavour made by the chancellor to reclaim this " irreclaimable
heretic," the bishop proceeded to pass sentence upon him, when " the holy church," which never
puts anyone to death, delivered him to the secular authorities, and he was consigned to the North-
gate Prison, where he remained till the 24th of April, 1555. On this memorable day he was led
to execution amidst a crowd of spectators, agitated by conflicting feelings. The scene of this
horrible tragedy was a precinct of Chester called Spital Broughton, within the liberties of the
city. After the exhibition of a conditional pardon, as was the prevailing practice, from the queen,
by the vice-chancellor, Mr. Vawdrey, and the refusal of the martyr to retract his faith, the people,
roused to indignation by the barbarous scene that presented itself, attempted to rescue Marsh
from the hands of his sanguinary murderers, and sheriff Cowper, sharing the public feeling, joined
in the attempt, but he was beaten off by the other sheriff and his retainers. The most composed
man in the assembly was the victim about to be sacrificed to his principles. He exhorted the
multitude to remain strong in the faith, and the fagots being lighted around him, he surrendered
his spirit into the hands of his Redeemer. While these revolting scenes were acting in the north
the powers of persecution raged in the south with undiminished fury, and the distinguished martyr,
Cranmer, Archbishop of Canterbury, shared the fate of so many of his order. The effect of these
sanguinary persecutions was to spread the doctrines they were meant to destroy ; and it may be
fairly doubted whether ever so many converts were made to the Protestant faith in the same time
as_ during those years, when the seeds of the church were thus watered by the blood of the
saints.
In the early part of this reign a muster of soldiers was made in the county palatine of
Lancaster, from the respective hundreds, of which the following is the abridged record, from a
MS. temp. Elizabeth, among the Birch Evidences : —
LANCASHIRE MILITARY MUSTER,— Maey, 1553.
" Debet Hundred to raise 430 men. Theae were the commandera of them :—
„. ,^.^?^^';^' ^."^ °^ Derby, Sir Richard Molyneux, Sir Thomas Gerrard, Sir Peers Legh, Sir John Holcroft, Sir John Atherton,
Sir William Noma ; Thomas Butler of Bewsey, George Ireland of Hale, William Tarbock of Tarlock, Lawrence Ireland of Lvdiate,
Esquires.
"Salford Hundred — 350 men.
Tx „ " Sir Edmund Trafford, Sir Wm. Ratcliflfe, Sir Robert Longley, Sir Thomaa Holt, Sir Robert Worseley ; Robert Barton, Edward
Holland, Ralph Ashton, Esqs.
foUoliL'wXri3«L™r?niS^'"??w"''*'°™4.v'".''''''^'^^ agreeing to acts oonoorning faith towards God and religion, should so
T^''i:n^%Tcli^roh,J\Z''^^X^^^ B»n^=^to^c..eenttoputpoornientoashainefa.deathfofe.L..oingth=
CHAP. XIII.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
219
and John
and Wm.
"Lbyland Hundebd— 170 men.
WriJw^gronTqs^"'''^' '^'""' '*^"''*' '''''' ^'-*-''^. R°g- Bradshaw, John Langtree, Peers Anderton,
"Amounderness Hundred— 300 men
Barton!'S'r" °"''*'' ^" ^"""^'^ ''°"^'^*°" ' """"^^^ ^--". J^^n Kitchen, Riehard Barton. WUliam WeHtWe,
" Blackburn Hundred— 400 men
John oSot John T^b™:Sr""" '''°'*''°' ''"^ '""""^ '"'''">'• «- John Southworth ; John Townley, Thomas Catterall,
"Lonsdale Hundred— 350 men.
Oliver maetonX"'''' ''■• ^^'^''^'^''^ '^"°^*^" = Thomas Carus, George Middleton, Thomas Bradley. Hugh Dicconson. and
"Hundred of West Derby.
The Parish of Ormskirk men 28
The Parish of North Meols „ 9
The Parish of Aughton ,[ 12
The Parish of Altcar 9
The Parish of Hallsall „ 28
The Parishes of Leyland men 36
The Parish of Croston 36
Warton men 6
Carleton .. 8
Hardhome- with- Clifton , 8
Much Eccleston „ 5
Clifton „ 6
Bispham and Norbreke , 5
Scalnew and Straynowe „ 7
Freckleton ,. 5
Thilston ,. 8
Warton .. 4
Newton and Scales ,. 3
Aahton, Inghill, and Cottom ., 3
OutEawcliffe „ 4
Thornton „ 8
Layton and Warbrick ., 8
The Parish of Blackburn men 113
The Parish of Whalley , 175
Cockeram men
EUall
Wiersdale
Wiremore
Tumham
Ashton and Stodley
Scotford
Buke and Alkelefe
Lancaster
Skerton
Taisholme. Pulton, and Bare ....
Leisham
Overton
Middleton
Haytou and Oxcliffe
Halton and Aughton
Sline and Heste
Bolton
Nether Kellet
OverEellet
Compyne Wraye
The Parish of Sef ton men 30
The Parish of Walton , 36
The Parish of Wigan ' 52
The Parish of Prescot .. ............ " 67
The Parish of Winwick ',[ 34
"The Hundred op Letland.
Brindle Parish, cum villa men U
Parochia de Chorley et vill „ 9
" The Hundred op Amounderness.
Pulton men
Weton
Threleye
Houghton
Little Eccleston and Larbreke ... ..
Upper Rawcliffe and Tornecard ... ,.
Little Singleton and Grange ,
Westby and Plumbton ,.
Rigby and Wraye ,.
Elliswicke
Kelmyne and Brininge ..
Kirkham
Wassed
Lithum ,j
"The Hundred op Blackburn.
The Parish of Ribchester men
"The Hundred op Lonsdale.
Barwjcke men
Carnford „
Marton „
Silverdale
Healand „
Hutton „
Dalton ,
Gressingham ,
Whittington „
Newton
Docker ,.
Tunstall „
Camffeild „
Barrow ,,
Loeke ,,
Irebie „
Thatum „
Hombye
Claughton „
Caton „
20
The Parish of Leigh men 36
The Parish of Warrington „ 25
The Parish of Childwell , 27
The Parish of Huyton 16
Parochia de Eccleston men 19
Penwortham Parish 17
Elston and Huddersall men 5
7
7
5
5
2
3
5
3
3
11
Gooeenargh..
Much Singleton
Whittington
Haighton
Elson
Fryswioke
Grymsawre and Unkef all .
Ribbleton
Lea
Plumpton
Billesburghe
Barton's Newisame
Parish of Garatang .
2
45
Pendle Forest men 36
Rossendall Forest „ 36
Furness
Bayliwioke of Hawshead men 17
Bayliwicke of Milthwaye „ 8
Ditto of Colton „ 8
Ditto of Grisdale ,. 7
Ditto of Smithwick „ 10
Ditto of Clayfe ., 7
Dalton in Furness 21
Bardsay ,. 2
Kirkby Irelith „ 8
Lanokewioke ., 5
Norland and Egton Ulverston „ 13
Osmunderly „ 4
Pennington „ 3
Torwarbboth „ 7
Hamlet of Cromston „ 4
Doversdale Broughton ,. 7
Much Land ,. 27
Broughton cum Membris, with
Township of Cartmell ,. 16
Cartmell. Holcar, and Alithwaite. . „ 15
"Salford Hundred, no particular returns.'
Four years afterwards, when England had become involved in that war which expelled her
from the continent of Europe, a royal proclamation was issued by the king and queen to Nicholas,
Archbishop of York, Chancellor of England, commanding him to cause commissions to be issued
under the great seal to the justices of the peace and sheriffs of the counties of Lancaster, Suffolk,
and Norfolk, with full powers to array, inspect, and exercise all men-at-arms and men capable of
bearing arms, as well archers as horse and foot men, so that from the present time, and in time to
220 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE; chap. xiii.
come, they might be arrayed in arms ready to serve their country.' In the same year a levy was
made within the county of two hundred soldiers, all archers, "to serve the Queenes Matie under the
conduction of S"" Robte Worsley, Knight (of Booths), and Edward Tildesley, Esq. (of Tyldesley
and Morley)," the quota for each hundred being as follows : —
Hundred of West Derby men 42
„ Salford 36
,, Leyland ,, 17
„ Amoundernesi 30
„ Blackburn 39
„ Lonsdale „ 36
> 200 archers.'
Every archer to be allowed ten shillings in money over and besides his furniture, though
whether the sum named was intended for bounty, marching money, or rations is not stated. All
this preparation was unavailing : a siege of eight days, under the Duke of Guise, rendered the
French, masters of Calais, a fortress which it had cost the conquerors of Cresey eleven months to
acquire, and which, for two hundred years, had been held by this country as the key to the
dominions of the French king. '
Shortly before the fall of Calais, the Scots, influenced by French counsels, began once more to
move on the Border, and to threaten the northern counties of England with invasion. At this
Juncture the Earl of Derby, as lord-lieutenant of the counties palatine of Lancaster and of Chestet,
addressed a despatch to the Earl of Shrewsbury, lord-president of the north, apprising his lordship
of the measures that had been taken to array the levies in Lancashire and in Cheshire against
" the Scottish doings,"'' of the number of the forces, and of the captains by whom they were to be
commanded. The despatch is of the date of the 29th of September, 1557, and the following are the
"Capteyns in the County or Lancaster.
"Sir Richard Molynexe (of Sefton), K. [knight], or his son & heire ; a feeble man himself 200
"Sr Thom"s Gerrard (of Bryn), K 200
"Sr Thom"a Talbot (of Bashall), K .-... 200
" Sr Richard Hoghton (of Hoghton Tower), K. not hable himself, but will furnish an hable Gent, to be
Capteyn : Bycause he is not hable to goo himself doth furnish but 100
"Sr Thom"s Hesketh (of Rufford), & others with hym 100
"Sr Thom"s Langton (of Waltjn-le-Dale, Baron of Newton-in-Makerfield), Kut. Sr VS^ill"m Noresse (of
Speke), Knt., neyther of them hable, but will furnishe an hable Capteyn 100
" S"- Will"m Radclif (of Ordsal), or his son and heire Alexr, who is a handsome Gent. & Sr John Athertou
joened w* him '. 100
"Fraunc"s Tun.stall (of Thurland), & others 100
" Sr John Holcroft (of Holcroft), or his son and heire— Richard Asheton of Mydd[elton], and others 100
" It"m, The rest appoynted in Lancashire be of my retynuue.
• ^\J'f V^''^' ^°^^- ^^ expedition under the Duke of Guise was directed against Calais. The
city, which had been m the possession of England for over two hundred years, was attacked, and
after a short siege capitulated, January 7th. The loss filled the whole kingdom with murmurs.
England, It was said, had fallen. The queen was in despair, and with her latest breath exclaimed
that the loss ol Calais would be found written on her heart. Disappointed in all her hopes, Mary's
spirits sank under her accumulated disasters, and at the age of forty-two years she descended
childless to the grave leaving the throne to the possession of her half-sister Elizabeth, whose
masculine habits and discriminating mind much better fitted her to wield a sceptre.
Ihe death of Queen Mary, on the I7th of November, 1558, found the Lady Elizabeth, now
become Queen of England^^ at Hatfield; and a summons was immediately sent by the queen's
council to the Marquis of Wmchester, the Earl of Shrewsbury, the Earl of Derby, and other
noblemen reqmrmg them to repair thither, to conduct the queen to London. Amongst the nobles
assembled to perform this first act of loyal duty were the Duke of Norfolk, Lords Aiidley and
Merley Lord Dacres of the north. Lord Monteagle, Lord Vaux, Lord Wharton, and many others.
In Parliament, the annunciation of Elizabeth by the Archbishop of York was hailed with acclama-
tion, and the general cry of "God save Queen Elizabeth," not merely from the courtiers, but also
'Pat. 3 and 4. Phil and Mary (1560-7), p. 5 m II dnra „i • 1.1 • . , , 1, , ,, „
' Harl. MS. (1926, Art. 6 £ 23) -C slonm their favour ; but though the Scottish nobloa refused to enter on
■■> Queen Mary having, at the instigation of her husband Philin nf ?!,!*« l?"f 'heir sovereign's minority, there was a furious outbreak of
Spain, declared war against France, thi Queen DowaacraSi'ReS nf ^o fi?" "'^'' borderers, and raids were made in the name of the
Scotland, Mary of Guise, was urged by the'^French eS to mak? aXer- ™ oounties.-C,
CHAP. xm. THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE. 221
from the patriots, gave promise that a new and more happy era had already commenced. The
state religion was soon destined to undergo another change, but instead of being rapid and violent
it was conducted with great prudence ; and that the feelings of the Catholics might not be outraged
by a sudden transition, the queen retained a number of her Catholic ministers, taking care to have
a sufficient number of the reformed faith to overrule their deliberations. Notwithstanding his
acquiescence in Mary's policy, the Earl of Derby had ordered his movements so adroitly as to win
the confidence of the new queen. On her accession he was sworn of the Privy Council, and in the
following year was made chamberlain of Chester and one of the commissioners of the north. To
further the great %york of ecclesiastical reform, the queen set on foot a royal visitation throughout
England, and appointed commissioners to visit each diocese, whose business it was to inquire into
the late persecutions, to ascertain what wrongs had been done, what blood had been shed, and
whowere the persecutors. They were further directed to minister the oath of recognition, and to
enioin the new book of service,' which was to come into general use on the festival of John the
Baptist. Another of their duties was to examine such as were imprisoned and in bonds for religion,
though they had already been condemned, and to liberate them from prison. The commissioners
for the north (1559) were, Francis, Earl of Shrewsbury, president of the council in the north,
Edward, Earl of Derby, Thomas, Earl of Northumberland, lord warden of the East and Middle
Marches, Thomas, Lord Evers ; Henry Percy, Thomas Gargrave, James Crofts, Henry Gates, knts. ;
Edwin Sandys, D.D., Henry Harvey, LL.D., Richard Bowes, George Brown, Christopher Escot, and
Richard Kingsmel, Esqrs.
The northern visitation commenced at St. Mary's, Nottingham, on the 22nd of August, 1559,
and was continued throughout the dioceses of Lincoln, York, Chester, and Durham. The
commissioners received the complaints of many clergymen, who had been ejected from their livings
during the last reign for being married ; and in almost all cases they were restored. Dr. Edwin
Sandys, a representative of the ancient family of Sandys of Hawkshead-in-Furness, who had
acquired a great reputation for learning and ability in the University of Cambridge, of which he
had been vice-chancellor in King Edward's time, was one of the visitors for the northern parts,
preached against the primacy of the pope, and did much by his zeal to spread the reformed
doctrines f he also endeavoured to prepare the clergy to take the oath of supremacy to the queen,
which was required of them, and to Avhich most of them conformed, though in Lancashire there
were many who declined to take the oath, and who staunchly supported the doctrine of the real
presence in the sacrament.
In these times of religious and political excitement the clergy were naturally prone to mix up
secular subjects in their discourses, and to convey to the royal ear, when pccasion presented itself,
the views of the preachers on the administration of government. This species of preaching a
certain great man at court (probably Lord Burghley) writing to Dr. Chadderton, afterwards Bishop
of Chester, thought proper to rebuke. " The queenes majestic," saith he, " doeth mislike that
those who preach before her should enter into matters properlie appertaining to matter of
government, " They were therefore required to abstain from such preaching— not that her majesty
wished to close her ears against the advice of those who were moved to desire amendment in
things properly belonging to herself, but, on the contrary, was willing to hear any that should,
either by speech or writing, impart their sentiments, but she did not wish to be lectured in public,
nor to have the affairs of government animadverted upon before the vulgar. '
It having been enacted that the oath of supremacy should be taken to the queen, her majesty
issued a proclamation to Sir Ambrose Cave, Knt., Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, dated at
Westminster, on the 23rd of May, 1559, directing that this oath should be taken throughout his
jurisdiction, both by the clergy and laity." At the same time she directed that all the chantries
should conform themselves to the practice of her own chapel, and in that (though much of popish
ceremony was retained) she forbade that the host should be elevated, and commanded that the
Lord's Prayer, the Creed, and the Gospels, should be read in the vulgar tongue In the following
year a number of new bishops were consecrated, amongst whom were Edward Scrambler, J-'-^- lor
Peterborough, and James Pilkington, B.D., for Durham, both Lancashire men, and both farm
adherents of the reformed religion. Soon after his inauguration. Dr. Pilkmgton preached before
the queen at Greenwich, on the mission of a fanatic from the county of Lancaster of the name ot
Ellys callinc^ himself Elias. The Bishop of London had, however, so little regard lor the northern
prophet and" his "warning voice" that he ordered him, three days afterwards, to be put in the
pillory in Cheapside, from whence he was committed to Bridewell, where he soon alter died.
Convocation and Parliament, it was used for the first t.mo in the queen's l^lt^^t^.'^kVl"- P-'^ ^ ^'="^- •="• ' ^
private chapel, May 12, 1559. -C, p Strypc's Ann. of ys Keformiition, i. 606.
222 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap, xni
The bishopric of Chester having become vacant, in consequence of Cuthbert Scott, " a ferocious
papist " as he has been styled, refusing to take the oath of supremacy, the queen issued her
mandate to the Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, announcmg that the dean and chapter,
•with her majesty's license, had elected William Downham to be their bishop and pastor, and
commanding'the chancellor to cause to be delivered up without delay the temporalities belonging
to the episcopal see within his bailiwick, together with the issues and profits thereof, from the feast
of St. Michael the Archangel.
The Queen Regent of Scotland having been won over to the designs of the house of Guise for
the re-establishment of the Roman Catholic religion, and as a necessary consequence the pulling
down of the reformation in Scotland which was then being promoted by John Knox, and ultimately
to effect the removal of Elizabeth from the throne of England, a force of three hundred men, of
whom seventy-eight were to be archers, was, on the 21st December, 1559, ordered to be raised in
Lancashire, and to be under the conduct of Sir John Southworth,^ of Samlesbury, to serve the
queen's majesty at Berwick, the fortifications of which had then been recently strengthened. The
following is the apportionment : — ^
Hundred of
West Derby
Salford
Leyland
Blackburn
Lonsdale
Amoundernes
In the month of January following another levy of two hundred soldiers and two hundred and
sixty-seven pioneers^ was raised in Lancashire for service at Leith,^ to be under the command of
Thomas Boteler, of Bewsey, and others, the several hundreds providing the quotas named : — °
Hen.
63
Of whom Archers.
16
59
13
15
7
55
15
58
15
50
12
iOO 78
Hundred of
West Derby
Leyland
Salford
Soldiers.
40
Pioneers.
53
17
22
37
48
36
48
Amoundernesa
32
43
39
52
200
267
That the nation might be put in a posture of defence, a muster of troops was ordered in the
several counties of the kingdom, and the following is the
GENERAL MUSTER, IN JAIJUARIE, 1559-60, «
Certified within the County op Lancaster.
Blackburne Hundred — 407 harnessed men, unharnessed men 406.
Amoundernes Hundked — 213 harnessed, unharnessed 369.
LoNDESDALL HUNDRED — 356 hamcssed, unharnessed 114.
Levlonde Hundred — 80 harnessed, unharnessed 22.
Saleforde Hundred — 394 harnessed, unharnessed 649.
West Derby — 459 harnessed, unharnessed 413.
Sum Total of harnessed men, 1,919.
Sum Total of unharnessed men, 2,073. '
Hollinworth says "there was a sore sicknesse" in Lancashire in 1565, which was probably
some remains of the plague contracted by the English army at Newhaven, in 1562, at which time,
Stowe avers, 17,404 persons died in London alone in one year.
Although the progress of the Reformation was rapid in many parts of the kingdom, in the
county of Lancaster it was retrograde. The Catholics multiplied, the mass was usually performed,
priests were harboured, the Book of Common Prayer and the service of the church established by
law were laid aside, many of the churches were shut up, and the cures were unsupplied unless
' Sir John Southworth was a zealous Roman Catholic, and in later life ' These were in the nature of a force of army labourers, their duties
suffered imprisonment as a recusant. In a letter from Lords Euro and being to level the roads, throw up works, dig trenches, and sink mines
Wharton to J'rancis, iiarl of Shrewsbury (president of the council of the so as to destroy the enemy's fortifications. The name is derived from
"""lyv J October 22, 1657, the writers state that " Sir John South- the French pionnier, a contraction of piochnier from piocher, to dig.-O.
worth had made request that we would be a means to your lordship that •• Leigh is the place named in the MS., but Leith is evidently
he might continue m service here with his hundred men. He says he is intended. (See Froude's /fisl. .Sny., v. vli. p. 189.) Leigh in Lancashire is
a young man, and desires to know service in war, and as we think him pronounced locally as if spelled Leith.— C.
to be commended therein, being a toward and tall gentleman, we require = Harl. MS. 1926, Art. 8. fo. 23 b. There is a slight error in the
your lordship to fa,vour this his honest suit." Three hundred men were, addition, though the aggregate is correct, the totals being 201 and 266
T, ''""^commendation, entrusted to his command, to march to Berwick. respectively. -C.
A lengthy notice of Sir John Southworth is given in The HMory of the « Harl. MSS. cod. 1926, fo. 4 b.
AncimtHaUofSamUabnry.-C ' This document is printed In the original edition from the Harl, MS,
Uari. JUS. I'iX, Art. r, fo. 23.— C. 1926, Art. 2. fo. 4 b, but the numbers are inaccurate.— C,
CHAP. XIII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 223
by the ejected Catholic priests. _ This was thought the more extraordinary, as the queen had
instituted an ecclesiastical commission, with the bishop of the diocese at its head, for the promotion
of religion. Downham, who had been appointed Bishop of Chester in succession to Scott, and in
whose diocese the larger number of the Lancashire parishes lay, was a Protestant of a very mild
type, and not much troubled with earnest scruples of any kind, so that Papists and Puritans were
left to pursue_ their several courses without much episcopal interference. As might be anticipated,
under so negligent a bishop the Reformation progressed but slowly. Romanism held its own, and
the gentry openly defied the Act of Uniformity, or complied with it only to such an extent as
would save them from trouble. To stimulate the zeal of the prelate, the queen addressed to him,
in 1567, a letter of remonstrance, couched in her usual tone of decision, reminding him of his duty,
and requiring of him its more vigilant performance. "We think it," says the queen, "not
unknown, how, for the good opinion we conceived of your former service, ^ve admitted you to be
bishop of the diocese ; but now, upon credible reports of disorders and contempts, especially in the
county of Lancaster, we find great lack in you. In which matter of late we write to you, and other
our commissioners joined with you, to cause certain suspected persons to be apprehended, writing
at the same time to our right trusty and well-beloved the Earl of Derby for the aid of you in that
behalf. Since which time, and before the delivery of the said letters to the Earl of Derby, we be
duly informed that the said earl hath, upon small motions made to him, caused such persons as
have been required to be apprehended, and hath shown himself therein, according to our assured
expectation, very faithful and careful of our service."^ In conclusion, the bishop is required to
make personal visitation, by repairing to the most remote parts of his diocese, and especially into
Lancashire, and to see to it that the churches be provided with honest men and learned curates,
and that there be no more cause to blame him for his inattention and neglect. At a subsequent
period, the lords of the council wrote to the bishop, complaining that many persons in the counties
of Lancaster and Chester absented themselves habitually from church, and from places of public
prayer, and requesting that the bishop would take measures to enforce their attendance. To this
mtimation his lordship replied that he had made diligent inquisition into the matter of complaint,
that some of the gentry and others had promised to be more conformable in future, but that others
had disregarded his admonitions, and that he had enclosed a list certifying the names of those
who remained obstinate, and of those who promised to conform." The zeal of the Earl of Derby in
favour of the reformed faith, so warmly eulogised by the queen, was the zeal of a convert, and
therefore perhaps the more lively. In the last reign, his lordshijp embraced the cause of popery,
and the committal of the intrepid George Marsh to that dungeon from which he was liberated only
to be conducted to the stake serves to show that sudden changes in religious laith were not
confined to priests, but that they were extended to nobles, and to a certain extent pervaded the
whole people. In the county of Lancaster there was more of consistency than in other parts of the
kingdom ; and this is a principle which excites respect, even though it should be a consistency in
error. The queen's admonitions to the bishop, as the head of the ecclesiastical commission,
produced an immediate effect. The bishop entered upon his visitation with all convenient
despatch ; many of the popish recusants, as they were called, were detected in plots to subvert the
established religion, and to substitute their own in its stead ; and the county was engaged in a
kind of religious warfare, which is described with considerable animation, and probably with as
much accuracy as can be expected, by an author having a strong bias towards the Protestant
cause : — '
" And first " says our author, " to give some account of the Bishop's Visitation. Which proved thus, according to the Relation
he made of it himself to the Secretary in a Letter to him, dated Nov. 1, 1568, ' That he had the last Summer visited his whole
Dioceas, which was of Length above sis score Miles ; and had found the People very tractable ; and no where more than in the
farthest Parts bordering upon Scotland. Where as he said, he had the most gentle Entertainment of the Worshipful to his great
Comfort. That his Journey was very painful by reason of the extreme heat ; and if he had not received great Courtesy of the
Gentlemen, he must have left the most of his Horses by the way ; Such Drought was never seen in those Parts. The Bishop also
now sent up, by one of his Servants, a true Copy of all such Orders as he, and the rest of his Associates, in the greens Commission
Ecclesiastiea , had taken with the Gentlemen of Lanca-shire. Who (one only excepted, whose nanie was John Westby) with rno^*
humble Submissions and like Thanks unto the Queen's Ma esty, and to her Honourable Council, received the same , Promis ng
that from henceforth they would live in such sort, that they would never hereafter give occasion of Offence in any thing concerning
the rCnLnSN« well towards Religion as their Allegiance towards their Prince But notwithstandmg their Promises the
Commissioners bound every of them in Recognizances in the sum of an Hundred Marks for their Appearances from time to time,
as apraredTn the aboveslfd Orders. And certain Punishments inflicted upon some of them had done so much good in the Country,
tKeXhop hoped he should never be troubled again with the like. Nowel, Dean of S. Paul's, London, was a Lancashire man,
and was now down fnthlt Country. Who with his continual preaching in divers Places in the County, had brought many obstinate
and wiTf ulPeS unto Conformi^. and Obedience, and had gotten great Commendation and Pra.se (as he was most worthy) even
"' ^'^Butfowt ^eTdo'^fpSurirwha\t'& detected and discovered among these Lancashire Papists, and the Negligence
or Lothness o7 the BiZp to prosecute them. Information was brought into the Bishop by one Mr. Glasier, a Commissioner, and
' l-ap. Office, Strype'8 Ann. i. 644-5. ' Harl. MSS, cod. 286, fo. 28. " Btrype'a Ann. i. 646-562.
224 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xm.
another named Edmund Ashton, that great Confederacies were then in Lancashire. And that Sundry Papista were there lurking, '
who had stirred divers Gentlemen to their Faction, and sworn them together, not to come to the Church in the Service time, now
set forth by the Queen's Authority, nor to receive the Communion, nor to hear Sermons ; but to maintain the Mass and Papistry.
And after this Information, Glasier advised the Bishop to go to the Earl of Darby, and to execute the Commission in. Lancashire ;
or else it could not be holpen but many Church Doors must be shut up, and the Curates hindered to serve as it was appointed to
be used in the Church. And that this Confederacy was so great, that it would growe to a Commotion, or Rebellion. The Bishop
hereupon seat for those Offenders by Precept, but declined to go yet to execute the Commission in Lancashire. Again, Sir Edward
Fytton informed the Bishop, that Mr. Edmund Traffoi d spake of these Matters before to him a.s a Commissioner, for to have redress
thereof. Whereupon Mr. Gerrard said, that if the Bishop would not go to Wygan in Lancashire, or such like Place, and sit to
execute the Commission, and move the Earl of Darby to be there (who had assured them he would sit and assist), he knew that a
Commotion would ensue ; and that he knew their Determination was thereunto. For that his Kinsman and Alhance to his
Remembrance (naming Mr. Westby) had told him. He would willingly lose his Blood in these Matters. Also he said further, that
from Warrington nil along the Sea Coasts in Lancashire, the Gentlemen (except Mr. Butler) were of the Faction, and withdrew
themselves from Religion ; as Mr. Ireland, Sir W™- Norria, and many others more. So that there was such a Likelihood of a
Rebellion or Commotion speedily, that for his Part, if the Bishop would not go to execute the Commission in Lancashire, he would
himself within twelve Days inform the Privy Council. And yet he had desired the Bishop to deliver the Commission unto him,
and Fytton to execute : but the Bishop refused, saying he would send for the Offenders. But afterward, the BLshop and Gerrard
signed Precepts for divers Papistical Priests and some Gentlemen to appear before the Commissioners concerning the Premisses.
" Again, one Edmund Holme made this Discovery ; That there was a Letter written from Dr. Saunders [Nicolas Saunders] to
Sir Richard Molineux and Sir William Norris ; the Copy of which Letter was ready to be shewed. The Contents of it, as it seems,
were, to exhort them to own the Pope supreme Head of the Church ; and that they should swear his Supremacy, and Obedience
to him, before some Priest or Priests appointed by his Authority ; who should also absolve them that had taken any Oath to the
Queen as supreme, or gone to Church and heard Common Prayer. Hereupon Sir Richard Molineux did make a vow unto one
Norrice, otherwise called Butcher, otherwise called Fisher, of Formeby ; and unto one Peyle, otherwise called Pyck (who reported
that he had the Pope's Authority), that he would do all things according to the Words of the said Letter. And so did receive
Absolution at Pyck's hand ; And he did vow to the said Pyck, that he would take the Pope to be the supreme Head of the Church.
And the said Molineux's Daughters, Jane, Alice, and Anne, and his sou John, made the like Vow as their Father had done. And
then they took a Corporal Oath on a Book. And so did John MoUin of the Wodde, and Robert Blundel of Inse, and Richard
Blundel of Christby, and Sir Thomas Williamson, and Sir John Dervoyne, and John Williamson. These were some ot those Popish
Gentlemen of Lancashire ; and these were their Doings. But the Commission Ecclesiastical, roundly managed, had pretty well
reduced them, as we heard before. In what Form the Submission ran, to which these Popish Gentlemen subscribed, before they
made their Peace, I know not. But I find this Year one Form offered to Sir John Southworlh, of these Parts (who had entertained
Priests, and absented from the Church), by order of the Privy Council ; which was as foUoweth ; —
" ' Whereas I, Sir John Soutliworth, Knt., forgetting my Duty towards God and the Queen's Majesty, in not considering my due
Obedience for the Observation ot the Ecclesiastical Laws and Orders of this Realm, had received into my House and Company,
and there relieved, certain Priests, who have not only refused the Ministry, but also in my hearing have spoken against the
present State of Religion, established by her Majesty and the States of her Realm in Parliament, and have also otherwise
misbehaved myself in not resorting to my Parish Church at Common Prayer, nor receiving the Holy Communion so often times
as I ought to have done :
" ' I do now, by these Presents, most humbly and unfeignedly submit myself to her Majesty, and am heartily sorry for mine
Offence in this Behalf, both towards God and her Majesty. And do further promise to her Majesty from henceforth, to obey
all her Majesty's Authority in all Matters of Religion and Orders Ecclesiastical ; and to behave myself therein as becometh a
good, humble, and obedient Subject ; and shall not impugn any of the said Laws and Ordinances by any open Speech, or hy
Writing, or Act of mine own ; nor willingly suffer any such in my Company to offend, whom I may reasonably let or disallow ;
Nor shall assist, maintain, relieve, or comfort any Person living out of this Realm, being known to be an Offender against the
said Laws and Orders now established for godly Religion, as is aforesaid. And in this doing, I firmly trust to have her Majesty
my gracious and good Lady, as hitherto I, and all other her Subjects, have marvellously tasted of her Mercy and Goodness.'
" But this knight refused to subscribe the submission, any further than in that point of maintaining no more those disordered
persons."
Mary, Queen of Scots, having at this time been expelled from her throne by her subjects,
under the authority of the Earl of Murray, regent of the kingdom of Scotland, sought an asylum
in England, but before she could be admitted to the court ic became necessary that she should
justify herself from the charge of having been accessary to the murder of her husband. In this
she failed— indeed, her agents refused to proceed with the investigation, when the evidence of her
guilt became conclusive ; and instead of being admitted to the court of Elizabeth she was ever
after kept as her prisoner, first in Bolton Castle, afterwards at the castle of Sheffield, then at
Tutbury, and finally at the castle of Fotheringay. Several of Mary's adherents now fled out of
England from Lancashire and other parts of the kingdom, and it was discovered in the course of
the year (1-568) that sums of money were sent to them from hence, to promote the invasion of
England and to re-establish the ancient religion. The recently-created bishopric of Chester was
amongst the lowest of the livings in the English Church, not exceeding in value three hundred
and fifty pounds a year ; and yet such was the hospitality at this time kept up by the bishops
that Dr. Downham, in his application to the Queen for the extension of his commendam, repre-
sented that he supported every day, in virtue of his office, " forty persons, young and old, besides
comers and goers."_' The bias of the queen's mind was towards the ancient reUgion, with all its
forms and ceremonies, so far as Avas consistent with that supremacy which she claimed as the head
of the church; and though the real presence was denied by the reformed church she openly
thanked one of her preachers for a sermon he had preached in favour of that doctrine.- Celibacy
in the ministers of ^ religion was always viewed by her Avith favour ; and all the influence of her
favourite minister Cecil was necessary to prevent her from interdicting the marriage of the clergy-
' Bishop Downham's Letter to the Secretary of State, 1568. Hoylin, p. 124.
CHAP. xiii. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIEE.
225
While this was the disposition of the queen several of her ministers conceived that the reform in
the religion of the state was by no means sufficiently radical ; and not only Cecil but Leicester
Knolles, Bedford and Walsmgham, favoured the Puritans, who derived the^ir origin W those
exiled ministers that, during the reign of Queen Mary, had imbibed the opinion^of Calvin the
reformer of Geneva^ Their historian^ describes the Puritans as objecting to the assumed mZmac^
of the bishops, and the jurisdiction of the ecclesiastical court; to the frequent re^ tition of S
Lords Prayer mthe liturgy, to the responses of the people, and to the reading of the apocryphal
lessons; to the sign of the cross m the administration ol^aptism; and to thering and the Sims
of the contract in marriage; to the observance of the festivals in the calendar, the chaunt of the
Psalms, and the use of musical instruments in the cathedral services; and, above all, to the haMts
"the very hvery of the beast," enjoined to be worn by the ministers during the celebration of
dmne services. Dean Nowell, one of the queen's chaplains, so celebrated for his preaching in
Lancashire, his native county, was understood to favour the Puritanical doctrines, which was
probably one of the causes of his popularity in this county; and Avhen, in a sermon preached
before his royal mistress he spoke disparagingly of the sign of the cross, she called aloud to him in
the congregation, and ordered him "to quit that ungodly discussion, and to return to his text "
i^rom this period through a succession of ages, the county of Lancaster continued much
divided on subjects of religion and politics— the Catholics assuming the high church and the
monarchical principles, and the Puritans the low church and democratic principles, while the
Estabhshed Church held the balance between the two, by turns favouring the former or the latter
as best accorded with the objects and views of the existing government; and not unfrequently
restraining andeven persecuting both. In no county in the kingdom have the distinctions been
so marked as m Lancashire, and in none will this observation be found so unerrino- an index
whereby to account for the local feuds and for the party animosities. "
Throughout the reign of Elizabeth there were frequent plots and conspiracies to deprive her
of her crown and life. Both Mary, Queen of Scots, and her son James were suggested as occupants
of the throne to be forfeited, and the Earl of Derby was also named, if only he would once more
turn Catholic. Mary of Scotland fully relied on his adherence to her cause ; but had the oppor-
tunity offered, it is doubtful whether he would not have considered the title of a Stanley, in whose
veins coursed the blood of Henry III., better than either that of Elizabeth Tudor or Mary Stuart.
In 1568 secret conferences were held at York between the Bishops of Ross and Liddington, friends
of the Scottish queen, and the Duke of Norfolk, to procure the queen's liberty, and secure the
duke's marriage clandestinely with her, to which certain Lancashire men were believed to have
been privy. Several of the leading families of the north, anxious to re-establish the Catholic
religion, and to place Mary, Queen of Scots, on the throne of England, entered into a conspiracy
for this purpose, at the head of which stood the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland. One
of their first objects was to liberate Mary from her confinement in Tutbury Castle, and Sir Thomas
and Sir Edward Stanley, sons of the Earl of Derby, along with Sir Thomas Gerrard and other
Lancashire gentlemen, favoured the enterprise. In furtherance of this object the Earls of
Northumberland and Westmorland put forth the following proclamation : —
"THE DECLARATION OF THE EARLS AT THE RISING IN THE NORTH.'
" We, Thomas Earl of Northumberland, and Charles Earl of Westmorland, the Queen's true and faithful subjects, to all that
came of the old and Catholic Religion, Know ye that we with many other well-disposed persons, as well of the Nobility as others,
have promised our Faith to the Furtherance of this our good meaning. Forasmuch as divers disordered and evil-dispoaed persons
about the Queen's Majesty have by their subtle and crafty dealings to advance themselves, overcome in thio Realm the true and
Catholic Religion towards God, and by the same abused the Queen, disordered the Realm, and now lastly seek and procure the
destruction of the Nobility : We therefore have gathered ourselves together to resist by force, and the rather by the help of (jod
and you good people, to see redress of these things amiss, with the restoring of all ancient customs and liberties to God's Church,
and this noble Realm ; lest if we should not do it ourselves. ^^ e might be reformed by strangers, to the great hazard of the state of
this our country, whereunto we are all bound.
" God save the Queen."
The influence of the leaders of the insurrection, and the attachment of the people to the
Catholic faith, drew together an army of four thousand foot and six hundred horse. To strengthen
their force the Earls of Westmorland and Northumberland addressed a letter to the Earl of Derby
(Nov. 27, 1569), requesting him to join their standard, and to procure for them such aid and
assistance as his lordship could collect in " all parts of his terrytoryes, to effect their honorable
and godly enterprises."^ The rebel earls appear to have had every hope of his lordship's support,
and even Sir Francis Leek seems to have had some misgivings as to how far his loyalty could be
relied on, for in one of his letters to Cecil he remarks, as if mistrusting the earl, that " all the
■ NeaVs History of the Puritans, oc. iv. -r. ' Harl. MS3. cod. 787, fo. 10 b. ' Burghley's State Papers, 1. 564.
30
226 THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIKE chap. xiii.
keyes of Lancashire do not at present hange at the Earl of Derby's owlde gyrdell." ' The northern
earls were out of their reckoning when counting on Lord Derby's support; Catholic though he might
be in heart, the family instinct was prominently developed, and, to remove any possible doubt of
his sincerity, he redoubled his efforts in harassing and imprisoning the Catholics in his county.
Seven days before the date of the rebellious earls' despatch, he had received a commission from the
queen, appointing him lord-lieutenant of the county of Lancaster ; and his lordship, without loss of
time, inclosed the treasonable invitation to the queen, accompanied by the following despatch : —
"THE EARL OP DERBY TO THE QUEEN'S MAJESTY.
" My most humble and obedient duty done. It may please your Majesty to understand, that this Day, being the 29th of this
Month, one Waliher PasseUwe brought to my Howse a Letter from the Earls of Nortkumlerland and Westmorlunde, together with
a Protestation of their undutiful Meaning and rebellious Attempt (as may appear), which the said Passelewe prayed one of my
Servants, might be delivered to me : The which after I had received, perceiving the same to be unsealed, and, upon perusing,
finding the matter to swerve so far from the Duty of any good Subjects, thought it my Part to give the same to be understanded
of your Majesty, and so have sent them enclosed as I received them. The Bearer, because I could not safely send him without
Guard, I have sent to come with more leisure, but with as much speed as conveniently may be used. I found with him the like
Letter and Protestation sent to my Lord Mounteagle, which I have also sent enclosed. And resting your Majesty's assured at
Commandment, beseeching God long to prosper your Majestic, and make you victorious over your enemies, I humbly take my
Leave.
"From Laihom, my House, the 29th November, 1569. — Your Majesty's most hurnble and obedient Subject and Servant,
"Edward Dbbby."
The " Rising of the North," as it was called, occurred in November, under the leadership of
Percy, Earl of Northumberland. As the old ballad expresses it —
" Erie Percy there his ancyent spred,
The half-moone shining all soe faire ;
The Nortons ancyent had the crosse.
And the five wounds our lord did beare."
A more ill-concerted and more disastrous enterprise was never engaged in. Lord Derby mustered
the forces of Lancashire and Cheshire, but the rebellion, to use the words of the historian, " flashed
in the pan," and the earl and his men were not required to take part in its suppression. The
queen and her council, ever alive to their duty and the public safety, assembled an army of seven
thousand men, at the head of which the Earl of Sussex was placed, attended by the Earl of
Rutland, and the Lords Hunsdon, Evers, and Willoughby. The royal army having overtaken
the insurgent force in the bishopric of Durham, the Earls of Northumberland and Westmorland
retreated to Hexham, where, on hearing that the Earl of Warwick and Lord Clinton were
advancing against them, they dispersed their forces without striking a blow. The destruction
of lives and estates which followed was wide and sweeping enough. The Earl of Northumberland
was executed, and the princely house of Neville was overwhelmed in utter and irretrievable ruin.
This abortive effort of treason was succeeded soon after by another rebellion in the north, raised
by Leonard Dacres, which was suppressed by Lord Hunsdon, at the head of the garrison of
Berwick, without any other assistance. Great severity was exercised against such as had taken
part in these rash enterprises. Sixty-six constables were hanged^ for neglect of duty, and no
fewer than eight hundred persons are said to have suffered by the hands of the public executioner.
Fifty-seven _ noblemen and gentlemen of the counties of Northumberland, York, Durham, fee,
implicated in this rebellion, were attainted by Parliament in the following year ; but the list of
proscriptions does not contain any Lancashire names.'' To guard against the recurrence of
rebellion, and speedily to suppress any attempt to disturb the public tranquillity, the levies of
troops, armour, and money were very abundant this year in the county of Lancaster; and
amongst the original certificates preserved in these returns the following autographs appear :—
"Edward Derby, F, Stanley, Thomas Butler, Thos. Gerrard ; Hundred of West Derby.— Thomas Hoghton, Cuthhert Clifton:
Hundred of Amounderness.— Thomas Hesketh, Edwarde Standysshe ; Hundred of Layland.— Rich. Shyrburn, Sir Rychard Assheton,
John Braddyll ; Hundred of Blackburn.— Wyllum Mountegle ; Hundred of Lonsdale.— Robert Worseley, Edmund Trafford,
John Radclyff, Robt. Barton, Edward Holand, Raffe Assheton, Francis Holt ; Hundred of Salford."
In the course of the same year a memorable search had been institued in the county of
Lancaster, by order of the lords of the council, which was simultaneously made in the other parts
of the kingdom, for vagrants, beggars, gamesters, rogues, or gipsies, which was commenced at nine
o'clock at night on Sunday, the 10th of July, 1570, and continued till four o'clock in the afternoon
of the following day, and which resulted in the apprehension of the almost incredible number of
thirteen thousand "masterless men,"^ many of whom had no visible mode of living, "except that
which was derived from unlawful games, especially of bowling, and maintenance of archery, and
' Sharp's Memorials of the Bebellion in 1669, p. 374. -C. = Harl. MSS. cod. 309, fol. 201 b.
Camden, p. 423. , ^^^^.^ ^^„ .,„!_ ^ p, 5j2_
~m/
^^m^
/p^o^f' '^'Pi^^^Z.. ^
(2«T<^J
/^,^^«^ ^-?^>^^
^^^^a/^ (^/«^
CHAP. xm. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
227
who were all passed to their own counties, under the direction of the magistrates " The effect of
this vigorous measure ot police, which was continued monthly till the November following was to
dimmish the numbers that would otherwise, in those unsettled times, have swelled the insur-^ent
iorce and endangered the stability of the government.
The Earl of Derby, in the discharge of his duty as the head of the lieutenancy in Lancashire
and Cheshire, assembled the lustices of the peace in the palatine counties, in their respective
divisions, for the pui-pose of arranging their forces, and for adjusting the assessments to which they
should respectively be liable. These arrangements being completed, they were transmitted to the
lords m council, accompanied by the following despatch :
ORIGINAL LETTER OF THE EARL OF DERBY.
J '!J^^^^ honorable my very good Lords aocordinge to the Queen her matea pleasure unto me and others signified by yor letter
and articles I have caused the_ Sheriffs, commissioners of the musters, and Justices of the peace of the Counties of Lancaster
and Chester (where I am her majesty s lieutenant), to assemble in their accustomed divisions sundry times for the execution ot the
same : Who have made inquisition as well touching such sums of money as have been assessed or taxed since the date of her mates
l^t commission for musters, for provision of armour, weapons, shot, and such hke. As also for taxations, collections, and assessments
of money for the furniture of Soldiers for her mate service with other things in the said letters and articles contained, and have sent
unto yor L. herewtn all the said certificates of both Shires, whereof the last came to my hands so latelye as upon Friday last Wch
was the cause of so long tract of time of both certificates. Thus wth my very hearty Commendations unto yor good L. I take my
leave of you. From Lathom my howse the 7th of September 1570.— Yor good L. very loving Friend assured
T 1 •■ i< m ■■ T -, " Edward Derby.
Indorsed.—' To my very good Lords of the Queen her mate honorable privy Council give these.''
In another hand. — "1670 7° 7bris
_ '_' The Earl of Derby to the Council wtt certificates out of the counties of Lancaster and Chester touching money collected for
provision of Armour and Weapons." ^
Devoted as the Earl of Derby had shown himself to the service of the queen, yet suspicion
was entertained, and that in high quarters, that his loyalty was of a dubious kind, and that it
would scarcely withstand the temptations to which it was exposed from the wicked counsellors by
whom he was surrounded. Under the influence of these suspicions it is probable that Margaret,
Countess of Derby, after the earl's death, had been apprehended, and placed in confinement ; for,
from a letter addressed by her ladyship to Mr. Secretary Walsingham, it appears that she was
at one time a state prisoner, labouring under the accumulated pressure of bodily affliction and
pecuniary embarrassments. The suspicions against the Earl of Derby were communicated to the
queen's secretary of state by the Earl of Huntingdon, in a letter, intended to have been consigned
to the flames as soon as it was read, but which has outlived its original destiny. A number of
suspicious circumstances were accumulated against the Earl of Derby, and amongst others he was
strongly suspected of keeping a conjuror in his house ! The letter was in these terms : —
THE EARL OF HUNTYNGDON TO SECRETARY CECIL."
" Sir, — I am bolder to write to you of weighty matters, than I dare be to some others ; the Cause I leave to your Consideration,
and so to you only I am bold to impart that I hear. The Matter in short is this : Amongst the Papists of Lancashire, Cheshire, and
the Cousins, great Hope and Expectation there is, that Derby will play as fonde a Part this year, as the two Earls did the last Year.
I hope better of him for my Part, and for many Respects, both general and particular, I wish him to do better. I know he hath
hitherto been loyal, and even the last Year, as you know, gave good Testimony of his Fidelity, and of his own Disposition ; I think
will do so still ; but he may be drawn by evil Counsel, God knoweth to what. I fear he hath even at this time many wicked
Councillors, and some too near him. There is one Browne a Conjuror' in his House, kept secretly. There is also one Uphalle, who
wa? a Pirate and had lately his Pardon, that could teJl somewhat, as I hear, if you could get him : He that carried my Lord Morley
over was also there within this Se'nnight kept secretly. He with his whole Family never raged so much against Religion as they
do now ; he never came to common Prayer for this Quarter of this year, as I hear, neither doth any of the Family except five or six
Persons. I dare not write what more I hear, because I cannot justify and prove it ; but this may suffice for you in Time to look to
it. And surely, in my simple opinion, if you send some faithful and wise Spy that would dissemble to come from If Alva, and
dissemble popery, you might understand all ; for if all be true that is said, there is a very fond Company in the House at this
Present. I doubt not but you can and will use this Matter, better than I can advise you. Yet let me wish you to take heed to
which of your Companions (though you be now but five together) you utter this Matter, ne forU it be in Latham sooner than you
Would have it, for some of you have Men about you and Friends attendinge on you, &c., that deal not always well. I pray God save
our Elizabeth, and confound all her Enemies ; and thus I take my leave, committing you to God his Tuition.
" From Ashby the 24th of August 1570. " Your assured poor Friend,
" H. HUNTYNODON.
"P.^-.— Because none there should know of my Letter, I would not send it by my Servant, but have desired Mr, Ad to deliver
it to you in Secret : When you have read it I pray you to burn it, and forget the name of the Writer. I pray God I may not hear
any more of your coming to "
The Earl of Derby's loyalty remained unshaken through another ordeal. A new conspiracy
was formed by the Duke of Norfolk, in concurrence with Mary, Queen of Scots, whom the duke
proposed to marry, in which he was aided by the Duke of Alva, the Spanish general, and the court
of Rome, the object of which was to deprive Elizabeth of the throne, and to elevate Mary to that
1 TTari Mq«) Or.A "in? fo 104 belief that he practised the black arts, tor in the Boyle MSS. there is a
^ Lord BurKhlev's State Papers i. 603. memorandum written by Richard Boyle, first Earl of Cork, m which he
■•' Coniurial wai another term for witchcraft, a practice of which the says, " Mumtord resorteth to Stanley's house in Lancashire, withm six
earl was Celf s^^eted He was celebrated for his skUl in setting miles of Leerpoole. There he is to be had. There he lately cast out
bones and in surgery, and this qualification probably gavs nso to the divels."— C.
228 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiii.
distinction. The vigilance and sagacity of Secretary Cecil, now become Lord Burghley, discovered
the treasonable confederacy, and the duke was brought to trial before a commission of twenty-six
peers, amongst whom were " Arthure Grey, Lord Wylton," and " William West, Lord de Laware."'
A unanimous sentence of death was passed against the duke, which was carried into execution
in the middle of the following year (1572); and the Earl of Northumberland, for the part he had
taken in the northern rebellion, shared the same fate. Against the Queen of Scots, though her
prisoner, Elizabeth did not venture yet to proceed to the utmost extremity, but she sent Lord
Delaware, Sir Ralph Sadler, Sir Thomas Bromley, and Dr. Wilson, to expostulate with her on her
intended clandestine marriage with the Duke of Norfolk, on her concurrence in the northern
rebellion, on the encouragement she had given to Spain to invade England, and on the part she
had taken in procuring the pope's bull of excommunication against Elizabeth, and particularly
upon allowing her friends abroad to give her the title of " Mary, Queen of England." These
charges Mary denied, and justified herself either by repelling the allegations or by casting the
blame on others over whom she had no control.'' The queen was by no means satisfied with these
apologies ; and the temper of Parliament, as expressed in the application for the immediate trial
and execution of Mary, showed that a storm was gathering, by which that unfortunate princess
was speedily to be overwhelmed. The evidence of the Bishop of Ross, exhibited in the Burghley
State Papers,' shows that Mary was, as early as the year 1571, in negotiation with the ambassadors
of both France and Spain, for her escape from Sheffield Castle to the Continent, and that she was
aided in her design by several Lancashire gentlemen. The bishop says the queen wrote a letter
by a little priest of RoUeston's, that Sir Thomas Stanley, Sir Thomas Gerrard, and Rolleston,
desired a " cypher for her, and that they offered to convey her away, and willed this examinate to
ax the duke (of Norfolk)'s opinion herein." He further says that Hall told him that if the queen
would get two men landed in Lancashire, Sir Thomas Stanley and Sir Edward Stanley (the Earl of
Derby's son and grandson), along with Sir Thomas Gerrard and Rolleston,'* would assist her escape
to France or Flanders, and that the whole country would rise in her favour.
The death of Edward, the munificent Earl of Derby, with whom, says Camden, " the glory of
hospitality hath in a manner been laid asleep," took place at Lathom House, on the 24th of
February in the year 1572 ; and he was succeeded in his title and estates by Lord Strange, a
nobleman honoured with the special favour of Queen Elizabeth, and for whose family she
entertained the highest regard.''
The progress of public improvement in the county of Lancaster appears to have been slow up
to the time of Elizabeth, as may be collected from an expression contained in a petition from Dean
Nowell, the founder of the free school of Middleton, for the better encouragement of learning and
true Christianity, who, in speaking of the people, designates them as " the inhabitants of the rude
country of Lancashire."
During this reign the military strength of the kingdom was taken with great accuracy, and
from the muster or order of government in 1574 it appears that Lancashire then ranked amongst
the first counties in the kingdom in military strength, furnishing 6,000 able men, 3,600 armed
men, 600 artificers and pioneers, 12 demi-lances'^ and 90 light horse, and that in number of able-
bodied men it was only exceeded by Cornwall, Devonshire, Sussex, Somerset, Norfolk, Oxford,
Dorset, Bucks, Kent, Yorkshire, and probably Middlesex, of which the return is only partially
given. The population of Yorkshire, when compared with Lancashire, was then in the proportion of
nearly seven to one, though now the population of Lancashire is larger than that of Yorkshire. Of
the other counties, Lancashire exceeds the highest of them except the metropolitan county of
Middlesex. '
The country was kept for years in a state of agitation by religious feuds, and the unceasing
efforts of the Jesuits and other emissary priests, sent into the country for the purpose of fomenting
sedition, and alluring the people from their allegiance to the queen. To guard against the
recurrence of rebellion, and the more speedily to suppress any attempts to disturb the public
tranquillity, levies of troops, armour, and money were made, and the military strength of the
kingdom fully ascertained.
On the 14th March, 1573-4, instructions were issued for the execution of the commission,
directed to all the justices of the peace in every shire, for the general musters and training of all
manner of persons, able for war, to serve as well on horseback as on foot. In the month of June in
' rfmrl^n^ n 'fi9 ^'^'' ^°' ''''' ° T^^'' nume, from the demi or half lance which they used as aweapon,
' Vol ii en 20 and 112 '""^ ^^ *^'^ ^"^ ^ ''"'^ *> Philip and Mary (156S) given to a class of soldiers
< Sir TlinVSoo stn,ii„„ ' Si.. Ti /I , who, having prGviously hocn light horsc, had becoms hcavv cavalpy, sup-
^nnrnhinripi ?;fi ?„^i ?; J + ^'iS™'*^ Gerrard, and EoUeston, were plying the place of the men-at arms. -0
Z?.Sf.°» /t;„r,ii 7?, " ^°™' "^ "'^"^ prisoners. -Xord 'By tlSe population returns of ISSl the numbers stand thus :-
' Burghl^y's«tate Papers ii, 184. Inhabitants of Lancashire ••..•••...■......... 3,«4,441
Yorkshire 2,886,504
OHAP. XIII.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
229
that year, an abstract was made of all the certificates of the number of able and unable men within
the shires of England and Wales, the total number of able men in England being returned at
202,004. The Lancashire muster, of which the following is a copy, was in August, 1574 : —
MUSTER OF SOLDIERS IN THE COUNTY OF LANCASTER IN 157 i. ^
" The numbers of demy- lances, horses, geldings for light horsemen, armo"", munition and weapons put in Readiness wtliin the
County of Lancaster, as well by force of the statute as granted of good Will, by persuasion of the Commissioners of the
general musters. And of the particular names and surnames of them w* do furnish, have and keep the same for her
Jiaties Si'vice wcli were Certified into her Hon. Privy Council, conjoined w'li the general musters by force of the First and
Second Commissions of the said musters the month of August 16th Eliz. Reginse."
Hundred op Dekbt.
These are to f urnisb ; —
Henry, Earl of Derby (3 lances to be horsemen)
SirTho. Stanley, Knt
Sir Tho. Gerard, Knt
Richard Bold, Esq
Tho. Butler, Esq
Sir John Holcrof t, Knt
Geo. Ireland, Esq
Henry Halsall, Esq
Roger Bradshaw, Esq
Edward Tyldesley, Esq
Edward Scarisbrick, Esq
Wm. Gerard, Esq,
Edw. Norrys, Esq
Richard Massye, Esq
Peter Stanley, Esq
Henry Ecclesby, Esq
John Byron, Esq
John Moore, Esq
Richd. Blundell, Esq
John Kylshawe [?Culcheth], Esq
Barnaby Kitchen, Esq
John Bold, Esq
Bartholomew Hesketli
Mr. Langton, de Lee
Adam Hawarden
Richard Urms ton
Edmund Hulme (of Male)
Thos. Ashton
J. Molyneux (of MelUng), Geoff. Holcroft, Rob. Blundell (Ince), Tho.
Lancaster, John Rysley — same as Tho. Ashton.
Hamlet Ditchfield
Humphrey Winstanley
John Bretherton, Tho. Moliueux, John Ashton, Tho. Abrahams, Eras.
Bold, Rd. Eltonhead, Rob. Fazackerley, Wm. Ashehurst, Lambert
Tildesley, John Crosse, and Ellis Kigheley-the same as Humphrey
Winstanley.
Nicholas Fleetcroft to furnish
Richd. Holland, Wm. Naylor, Jas. Lea, Wm. Molineux, Adam Bolton,
Rd. Bould, Rd. Hawarde, Ralph Sekerston, Rob. Corbett, and Rd.
Mosse — the same as Nicholas Fleetcroft.
Summary for the Hundred of [West] Derby
Hundred of Leylakd.
Sir Tho. Hesketh, Knt., to furnish (and 2 harquebuts)
Edwd. Standish, Esq....
Wm. Farington, E^q. (for goods) to furnish
Tho. Standish, Esq. (for lands) „
Rd. Lathom, Esq • ■•■■V""i
Tho. Aehall, Rob. Charnock, Rd. Ashton— same as Rd. Lathom.
Henry Banister, Esq
John Adlington, Esq ;"V,V""^u"i r'\l"'-ix7"-"v.i'
Peter Farington, wife of Jno. Charnock, Wm. Chorley, John Wright-
ington, Gilbt. Langtree, Edw. Worthington, Lawrence Worthmg-
ton — same as Jno. Adlington^ ^
«6
30
72
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
I
39
85 Ins llll 1106
O 3
— , -^
106
90
5i
71
20
45
2
1
1 harquebut
1 ditto
1 harquebut
1 ditto
Harl. MS3. Cod. 1926, foU. 6-19a.
230
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. siir.
Hundred op Leyland — continued.
Wm. Stopford
John Butler
[The following 47 persons, each same as J. Butler] —
Thomas Stanynawght, George Norres, Richard Todde, Richard Jevum,
Rich. Hoghe, John Clayton, Tho. Solome, Wm. Tarleton, John
Stones, John Stewerson, John Lightfoote, Wm. Forshawe, Edmunde
Parker, Willm. Tayler, Henry Farington, Rich. Foreste, Robert
Cowdrye, Henry Sherdley, Rawffe Caterall, Thomas Sharrocke,
Thomas Gellibronde, Alexander Brerde, Roberte Farington, Wm.
Cowper, Oliver Garstange, John Guerdon, Robert Mollyneux,
Edward Hodgson, Richard Withrill, Laur. Garstange, Gilberte
Howghton, James Browne, Thomas Dickonson, Laur. Finche, Vx.
Thurston Hesketh, John Wakefielde, Seth Forester, James Tompson,
Thomas Chisnall, Laur. Nightgall, Vx. Roberte Charnocke, Richard
Nelson, James Prescote, Rich. Tompson, Robert Forster, John Lawe,
Roger JBrodhurste.
Summary for the Hundred of Leyland
Hundbbd of Blaokbuen.
Sir Rd. Sherburne, Knt., to furnish
John Towneley, Esq
Sir John Southworth, Knt
John Osbaldeston, Esq
Tho. Caterall, Esq
Tho. Nowell, Esq
Rd. Ashton, Esq
Jno. Talbot, Esq
Kicholas Banester, Esq ,
John Rish worth, Esq
Rd. Gry meshaw, Esq
Tho. Walmysley, Esq., Jno. Braddyll, Esq., Hy. Towneley, Tho.
Aynsworth, Nioh. Parker— same as Richd. Qrymeshaw.
Alex. Houghton, gent
Roger Nowell, Esq
Wm. Barecroft, Hy. Banester, Tho. Watson, iivaniieydock, Edw.
Starkie, Rob. Moreton, Clin Birtwisle, Jno. Greenacre, Nicholas
Hancock — same a-s Roger Nowell.
Tho. Astley, to furnish
Tho. Whittacre, Geo. Shuttleworth, Francis Gartside— same as Tho.
Astley.
Rob. Smith
[The foUowmg 70 persons to furnish same as Rob. Smith.]
John Ashowa, Nicholas Robinson, George Seller, Nicholas Halstidd,
Wm. Langton, Bryan Parker, Laurence Whitacre, John Ormrode,
Rawffe Haworth, Richard Cunlyfie, Rich. Parker, Wm. Barker,
Adam Bolton, George Talbot, Thomas Lassell, Thomas Isherwoode,
Richard Haberiame, Wm. Starkye, Rich. Harrison, Rich. Crounlowe,
Tho. Honghim, Rich. Shawe, Rich. Bawden, Alexander Lyvesaye,
William Churchlowe, Rawffe Talbotte, Edwarde Carter, Rich.
Woodde, Tho. HoUiday, Roger Nowell, Hughe Shuttleworth, Hughe
Halsted, Henry Speake, Tho. Enot, Henrie Sliawe, Peter Armerode,
Thoma,s Walmysley, Thomas Dewhurst, Olin Ormerode, John
Nuttall, Gilberte Rishton, Nicholas Cunliff, Henrie Barecrofte,
Laur. Blakey, John Hargreve, Jftmes Fieldes, James Hartley,
Thomas Ellys, Thurstou Baron, Roberte Caruen, George Elston,
Barnarde Townley, Oliver Halsted, John Seller, John Pastlowe,
John Whittacre, John Aspinall, Roberte Cunliff, Richard Charueley,
Geffrey Ryshton, Roberte Seede, Thurstone Tompson, Richard
Bawden, Tho. Osbaldeston, John Holden, Gyles Whitacre, Richard
Tattersall, Roberte Smithe, Nicholas Duckesburie, William Merser.
Summary for the Hundred of Blackburn
Hdndbed op Amoundeemess.
John Rigmaiden, Esq., to furnish
Cuthbert Clifton, Esq '.'.'.!'.'.'.'.'.'.'.
John Westby, Tho. Barton, Wm! '' Skillioorne— same ' as ' Cuthbert
Clifton.
Richd. Traves
Jas. Massey, Geo. Alane— same as Rd. Travers'.
11
13
14
Ph6
aP-l
14
14
34
70
<D E£
70
70
10
10
14
2
1
112
2
2
1
112
2
2
1
109
2
2
2
26
1
1
1
27
1 harq.
1 ditto
90
CHAP. XIII.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIEE.
231
Hundred op AMOnNDBRNESs — contimied.
Eob. Mageall
Thos. Ricaon
Wm. Hodgkinson
Wm. Banester, Tho. Breres, Roger Hodgkinson, Laurence Walles^ —
same as Wm. Hodgkinson.
Wm. Hesketh to furnish of goodwill
Eob. Plesington, Tbo. Whyttingham, Wm. Singleton, John Veale,
Evan Heydock, Wm. Burrell — same as Wm. Hesketh.
Henry Kyghley
Summary for the Hundred of Amounderness
Hundred of Lonsdale.
Wm. Lord Monteagle *One to be a horse
Bob. Dalton, Esq
Fras. Tunstall, Esq
Geo. Middleton, Esq., Roger Kirbie, Esq.— same as Fras. Tunstall.
Wm. Fleming
Tho. Cams
Eob. Byndlowes
Tho. Curwen — a light horse furnished
Wm. Thornborowe, do. do
Gabriel Croft
Nicholas Brudaey
George Southworth
Jas. Ambrose, Wm. Redman, Marmaduke Blackburne, Anthony Knipe,
Tho. Stanfilde— same as Geo. Southworth.
John Preston, Esq.
Fras. Tunstall •■ — ■••■•■■■■
Nicholas Hudleston, Rd. Curwen, Ed. Redman— same as Fras. Tunstall.
Edward North [or Corthe] ;••■•■■■.•, ™ ;;"V ^'Z'
Jno Tompson, Rob. Banz jun., John Gibson, Tho. Parker, Mr.
Newton, of Whittingham, Tho. Parker,- same as Edward North
[or Corthe].
John Calvert
Ed. Eeder, Chr. Skerrowe, Rd. Hynde, Elenor Smglet, Lee. Parkmson,
Chr. Thornton, John Proctor, Geoffrey Batson, Tho. Widder, Wm.
Thornton, Chr. Battye— same as Jno. Calvert.
Summary for the Hundred of Lonsdale
Hundred oe Saleoed
Edmund Trafford, Esq., to furnish
Jno. Eadchffe, Esq
Rob. Barton, Esq ■■■■■-;,■:;"" -^
Ed. Holland, Esq., Fraunoe Holt, Esq., John Bothe, Esq.— same as
Eob. Barton.
Edmund Prestwich, Esq., a light horse furnished ^
Chr. Anderton, Rob. Worsley, Edwd. Rawstorne— same as Edmund
Prestwich.
Charles Holte, Esq
Edmd. Ashton, Esq •■•••■• " •••■••
Wm Hilton Esq., Jas. Browne, Esq., Ralph Ashton, Esq., T. Green-
halghe, Esq. , Alexr. Barlowe, Esq.— same as Edmund Ashton
John Orrell, Esq
George Halghe •■ ■■■■• • .,;■;■
Jas. Bradshaw, Allen Hilton, Edmd. Heywood, Roger Browne, Ed.
Leaver, Geo. Longworth — same as Geo. Halghe
Bradshawe of Bradshawe '■"rv,:;!'";;; -i^'j'vii"
Alexr Warde, Wm. Holland, Tho. Massie, Eob. Holte, Chas. Radclifie,
Edw. Buttei-worthe, Cuthbert Schofild, Arthur Ashton, Tho. Lees,
Jas. Ashton, Geo. Gregory, Ellis Aynsworth, Tho. Crompton-same
as Bradshawe.
Geo. Pylkinton to furnish
Jas. Hulme •
Rd. Radcliffe
Tho. Chatterton
Dame Eliz. Biron
Wm. Tatton, Esq
Adam Hill '
17
S3
33
(U
17
52
11
35
22
15
57
02
22
57
o
m
a
1
1
1
1
27
15
?29
25
20
10
30
13
IHarq.
1
232
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XIII.
Hundred on Samoed — continued.
Tho. Ashton
Morris Ashton
Wm. Radcliffe
Laur. Tetlowe, Wm. Hyde, Rob. Hyde, Ralph Holme, Tho. Byron,
Rob. Holme, Tho. Willott, Alex. Rigbie,— same as Wm. Ratcliffe.
John Sharpies
John Marten, John Bradshawe, Edwd. Hopkinson, Wm. Brown, Hugh
Weatmough, Edmd. Brodhurst, Roger Hyndley, Geo. Lathom, Tho.
Valentyne, John Parr, Otes Holland, Edmd. Sceadie, Hy. Tnnge,
Robert Hodge, Jno. Nowell, Ralph Cowoppe, James Anderton, John
Robert, Rd. Meadowcroft, Thos. Aynsworth, Edmd. Taylor, Rob.
Barlowe, John Wright, Rd. Livesay, Huan Worthington, Tho.
Buckley, Rob. Haworth, Edmd. Whytehead, Jno. Chadwick, Hy.
Sledge, EDis Chadwick, Rob. Butterworth, Peter Heywood, Roger
Hoult, Wm. Bamford, Thos. Barlowe, Wife of Edwd. Symond,
Roger Lay, Eras. Barlowe, Thurstan Hayner, Rob. Blaguley, Anthy.
Elcock, Tho. Birch, Edwd. Saddell, Rob. Skelmesden, Tho.
Nicholson, Eras. Pendleton, Humphrey Houghton, Wm. Blaguley,
Geo. Birch, Geo. Prowdlove, Geo. Holland, Laur. Robinson, Nichs.
Mosley, — same as John Sharpies.
Adam Hill
Jas. Guillame, Jas. Chetame, Edw. Holme, — same as Adam Hill.
The Town of Manchester were contented of goodwill to furnish and
have in readiness
Summary for the Hundred of Salford
Sum of all the furniture within County of Lancaster
Men furnished by the Statute, and of goodwill, the number of-1230.
W
24
108
30
159
CD ■— I
< o
58
224
28
213
118
490
118
490
123
490
33
163
35
173
The total number of men, both by statute and voluntary contribution, for the county of
Lancaster is here stated to be 1,230. Their arms, armour and furniture are stated above; but the
following table will show the contribution thereto of each hundred in every kind of weapon and
armour, though there are some slight discrepancies between the aggregate of the items and the
totals given in the summary : — ■
Demi-Lances
Light Horses
Corslets
Coats of Plate, &c. .,
Pikes
Long Bows
Sheaves of Arrows .
Steel Cap,? or Skulls
Calivers
Morions
Bills
39
85
118
111
106
106
90
54
71
45
1
11
5
14
14
70
70
70
10
10
49
2
13
14
34
14
112
112
109
26
7
90
a
3
o
a
1
5
2
17
11
22
22
27
15
20
10
3
16
33
52
35
62
62
59
25
30
13
2
24
30
58
28
118
118
123
33
36
97
18
108
169
293
213
490
490
490
163
174
305
A Cehtdticate of a general Muster taken within the County of Lancaster in August aforesaid, 16th Eliz. Reg. (1574), wherein
was certified, over and beside the 1,230 men furnished by force of the Statute for armours, the number of 2,375 able men furnished
by the countrey [which be armed]; and also the number of 2,415 able men to serve her Majestie, and which be unarmed. [Total,
Hundred of [West] Deebt.
Archers, being able men furnished by the country with bows, arrows, steel caps, sword, and dagger... 140 )
Bill men, being able men furnished by the country with jack, sallet, bill, sword, and dagger 424 J °°
Archers, being able men unfurnished 140 )
Bill men, being able men unfurnished "",' 390 ( ^^^
CHAP. XIII.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
233
Hdndred of Lbtland.
Archers, being able men furnished by the country with bows, arrows, steel caps, sword, and dagger 59 "I
Bill men, being able men furnished by the country with jack, sallet, bill, sword, and dagger 200 f
Archers, being able men unfurnished ^q{
Bill men, being unfurnished gn f
Hdndeed of Blackburn.
Archei-s, being able men furnished by the country with bows, arrows, steel caps, sword, and dagger ... 126)
Bill men, being able men furnished by the country with jack, sallet, bill, sword, and dagger '. 2511"
Archers, being able men unfurnished 20
Bill men, being able unfurnished 402
Hundred op Lonsdale.
Archers, being able men furnished by the country with bows, arrows, steel cap, sword, and dagger ... 112 1
Bill men, being able furnished by the country with jack, sallet, bill, sword, and dagger 344 |
Archers, being able men unfurnished 7g ■>
Bill men, being able unfurnished 267/
Hundred of Amoundeeness.
Archers, being able men furnished by the country with bows, arrows, steel cap, sword, and dagger . 108 )
Bill men, being furnished by the country with jack, sallet, bill, sword, and dagger 152 \
Archers, being able unfurnished , 1201
Bill men, being able unfurnished 459 j
Hundred of Salfokd.
Archers, being able men furnished by the country with bows, arrows, steel cap, sword, and dagger ... 60 )
Bill men, being able furnished by the country with jack, sallet, bill, sword, and dagger 294 (
Archers, being able unfurnished 72 "i
Bill men, being able unfurnished 309 J
q / Sum Total of the men furnished with arms at the charges of the country 2375
\ Sum Total of the able men, and being unarmed, certified in this general muster 2495
Under that there was certified, also of labourers or pioneers unarmed 600
This return is sufficiently interesting to give in a more intelligible form, though here again there
are discrepancies between the sum of the hundreds and the totals given in the text.
259
130
377
422
456
343
260
579
Hundred.
Archers.
Billmen.
Soldiers.
Total.
Furnished. Unfurnished.
Furnished. Unfurnislied.
Furnished. Unfurnished.
Deploy
140
59
126
112
108
60
140
40
20
76
120
72
429
200
251
344
152
294
390
90
402
267
459
309
569
259
377
456
260
354
530
130
422
343
579
381
1099
389
799
799
839
735
Lonsdale
Amounderness
Salford ...
Total for the county
605
468
1670
1917
2275
2385
4660
In the same year that these returns were made, a declaration was promulgated of the ancient
tenth and fifteenth chargeable throughout the county, of which the following is a summary :—
[Harl. MS. Cod. 1926.]
" A Declaration of the Ancient Tenth and Fifteenth chargeable within the county of Lancaster, with a note also of the Deduc-
tions set down by Sir Peter Leighe and Sir Peter Gerrard, Knights, Thomas Kighley, Esq,, and others Commissioners for the same
Deductions by virtue and force of a Commission to them directed in the twenty-fifth year of the reign of King Henry VI. (l**o-7),
with a note also of the remaine and declaration of the certain tenth and fifteenth now payable and chargeable through every hundred
and part of the said county of Lancaster [xvL Eliz. Reginse, 1574].
Summary.
Leyland Hundred
Blackburn
Salford
[West] Derby ....
Amounderness . . . .
Lonsdale
Tenth and Fifteenth.
£ s.
36 10
48 8
48 9
125 8
66 17
50 18
d.
Deductions.
X s.
5 17
11 3
6 15
18 19
16 8
12 3
d.
8
1
8
10
Remainder.
£ 8.
30 12
37 5
41 14
106 9
49 17
39 4
" Sum of the ancient tenth and fifteenth within the county of Lancaster, as the same is before particularly set down ^^^^ ^^ ^^^
«W^c^St^=^:^-o/:'^mm;ssionund^^ ^, , 3,
before named, bearing date as before, the sum of -_
"And so remaineth payable to the Queen's Majesty for a tenth and fifteenth within the said county "^ ^^^'^^^^' ^^^^ ^ g
the
sum
31
of.
234 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiii.
This is the earliest notice on record of " the ancient tenth and fifteenth " chargeable on each
hundred of the county of Lancaster. The taxes called by these names were originally the tenth
and fifteenth part of the value of movable goods. They were originally _ assessed on each
individual, but in the reign of Edward IIL a taxation was made upon all cities, boroughs, and
towns by compositions, and then the fifteenth became a fixed and certain amount — the fifteenth
part of the then existing value of the movable property of the place.
While these financial arrangements were proceeding, the county was much agitated by
religious feuds ; and the ministers of religion were not only threatened with but actually exposed
to the dago-er of the assassin. At Manchester serious disputes occurred between the ecclesiastics
of the Collegiate Church and the townsmen, induced partly by the unpopularity of the warden and
partly by the lurking attachment evinced by a large portion of the people to the tenets of the
Roman Catholic religion. The clergy of the church were frequently beaten by the populace, and
it is recorded that in Mid-Lent, 1574, one of the preachers, a bachelor of divinity (Oliver Carter),
while on his way to perform divine service at one of the parochial chapels, was assailed by one
William Smith, of Manchester, who drew out a dagger and inflicted on him no less than three
separate wounds.^ In the month of November, in the same year, the Privy Council addressed a
communication to Downham, Bishop of Chester, respecting the neglect of worship and of the
"godlie exercises of religion" in Lancashire and Cheshire, and requiring him to furnish a list of
persons refusing to attend the services of the church. The bishop's reply, which is preserved
among the Harleian MSS.,- is dated February 1st, 1575-6. The "Certificate of the Papists"
referred to does not accompany the reply, but is doubtless the one given on page 241, and is
interesting as furnishing the names of the principal Roman Catholic families in Lancashire at the
time.
In November, 1577, Downham, Bishop of Chester, died, and with the view of carrying on a more
vigorous crusade against Romanism in its stronghold, a distinguished Lancashire puritan, William
Chaderton, a native of Nuthurst, near Manchester, was appointed to succeed him. Shortly afterwards
he was preferred to the wardenship of the collegiate church at Manchester, holding it in covimendam.
Almost immediately after he had entered upon possession of his new dignities he was appointed
one of the Ecclesiastical Commissioners for the counties of Lancaster and Chester, whose province
it was to establish the tenets of the Reformation, and prevent the inhabitants from again
degenerating into Popery. As his personal friend and counsellor, Henry, Earl of Derby, was at the
time residing at his house at Aldport Park, on the confines of Manchester, the bishop also fixed his
abode in the town, and with the earl commenced an active opposition to Romanism. Following
his example, several of the magistrates within the diocese set themselves to hunt out seminary
priests, to stop their secret masses, and to imprison recusants, particularly those of the leading
families, who refused adherence to the reformed religion. New and more severe measures were
adopted ; fines were levied against those who did not appear at Church; and this proving ineffectual,
the principal offenders were ordered to be imprisoned at Halton Castle, in Cheshire. Subsequently,
in December, to suit the convenience of the earl and the bishop, they were removed to Manchester,
and there confined, some in the chapel built by Thomas del Bothe on Salford Bridge, which had
been converted into a prison, others in the fortified residence of the Radcliffes, called The Pool,
the greater number, however, being lodged in a building contiguous to the collegiate residence (the
present college or Chetham Hospital) at Hunt's Bank, called the New Fleet, the open insolence
of the Jesuit missionaries, who did not even dissemble the fact that their purpose was to absolve all
the queen's subjects from their allegiance and obedience, giving absolution under the seal of
confession, and acting in all under the direct authority of the pontiff, called forth the Act 23
Elizabeth, c. 1, " An Act to retain the Queen's Majesty's subjects to their due obedience." It
declared those to be guilty of high treason whosoever should persuade subjects from their obedience
to their queen and from the religion established in England, and should propose to reconcile them
to the Church of Rome. _ Saying mass was to be pimished by a fine of 200 marks ; hearing it by
a fine of 100 marks (with, in each case, a year's imprisonment) ; absence from the parish church
was to be punished by a fine of £20 a month, and if continued a year two sureties of £200 each
were to be given for future good behaviour. This enactment, as may be supposed, produced
consternationthroughout the country, and in Lancashire, the great stronghold of the Romish party,
caused much ill-feeluig, which now and then broke out into open violence. Abstractedly it would
appear that the remedy was most severe, and fell hardly on innocent persons, and the measure has
been stigmatised as an isolated and unprovoked enactment. Severe though it was, its administration
was tempered with mercy, and the French historian, Rapin, has affirmed that " as long as the court
^ Warden Herle's letter to the lord treasurer "concerning some
S,ri nriT,?fd hi st°"° °* *?vf *^r°^'^,° by Papists," dated 27tli April, 1674, ' Harl. MSS. Cod. 286, fol. 28.-C.
and printed by Strype m the Life ofArchbisJwp Parker, v. ill. , pp. 135-7,— o!
CHAP. XIII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 235
imagined that these men only administered the sacraments in private to those of their own religion,
no notice seemed to be taken of it." ' The urgency and necessity of the times required severe
measures. Loyal subjects knew their necessity, and, with few exceptions, they were only resisted
and evaded by the traitorous and disloyal. '^
The voluminous correspondence of Dr. Chaderton, Bishop of Chester, preserved by Mr. Peck
in his Desiderata Curiosa, extending from the year 1580 to 1586, details with considerable
minuteness the proceedings of the ecclesiastical commission in the county of Lancaster during that
period, and the object of which commission was to prevent the inhabitants from degenerating again
into popery, as well as to punish those recusants, particularly of the leading families, who refused
to adhere to the reformed religion. These objects are stated in the following
"LETTER FROM THE LORDS OF THE QUEEN'S COUNCIL TO HENRY HASTINGS, EARL OF HUNTINGTON
[Lord- President of the North].^
" 1. After our right hartie comendations unto youre good lordship.
" 2. Upon notice given unto her Majestie of the falling awaie in matters of religion in sundry of her subjects of good qualitie
& others within the countie of Lancaster ; for the avoiding of further inconveniences like to grow thereof, yf speedye redresse he
not had, shee hath thought meete at this present to graunt out the ecclesiasticall commission for the diocesse of Chester, directed to
our verie good lords the lord archbishoppe of that province, the Earl of Darbie, your lordship, the lord bishoppe of Chester, and
others ; whereby you are auctorised to proceed with the saide parties soe fallen away for the reducinge of them to conformitie, or to
punishe them acordinge to such direction as you shall receive by the saide commission warranted by the lawes of the realme :
" 3. And forasmuch as this infection, the longer it shall be suffered to reigne the more yt will be spred & become dangerous ;
therefore yt behoveth that all expedition be used in the execution of the said commission ; which, being presentlye sent to the earle
of Darbie, her majesties pleasure is,
" 4. That youre lordship, with the saide Earle of Darbie & Bishoppe of Chester, doe forthwith consider & take order for the time
& place of your firste meetinge ; & thereof to geve knolege unto the rest of the commissioners, that they may be readie to meete &
assist you at the time & place to be appointed.
" 5. And as this defection is principalHe begun by sundrye principoll gentlemen of that countie, by whom the meaner sort of
people are ledd and seduced ; soe it is thought meter that in thexecution of the commission you begin first with the best of the said
recusants. For that we suppose that the inferior people will thereby the soner be reclaymed & brought to obedience ; which, in
cure opinions, will be not a little furthered, yf you shall, at the place of youre assemblies, cause some learned minister to preach
and instruct the saide people duringe the time of youre staye in those places.
" 6. And soe referinge the care and consideration of all other thiuges that maye appertaine to the furtherance of this her
majesties service to the good consideration of you the Commissioners, wee bid you right hartelie farewell. From the court at None
such, the X. of June, 1580.
" T. Bromley, Cane. J. Sussex. Ro. Lecester. James Crofte.
W. Burgheiey. A. Warwicke. Henry Hunsdon. Era. Walsingham.
E. Lincoln. F. Bedford. Chr. Hatton. Tho. Wilson.
"To our verie good lord the Earle of Huntington."
This despatch is followed by two others, the first of which (June 29, 1580) directs that no
question whether this ecclesiastical commission supersedes the former shall prevent them from
proceeding with their duty ; and the latter (July 3) directs that the penalties against the recusants
for not coming to church shall be advanced, and that the chief of their number shall be imprisoned
in Halton Castle, in the county of Chester, with the diet to be allowed them after the manner of
the Fleet Prison in London. The next communication from the lords of the council (July 15)
signifies that the queen having granted the fines laid upon certain popish recusants in Lancashire
to Mr. Nicholas Annesley, and he having been obliged to take out a distringas on their lands and
goods, the commissioners are to see that the said distringas is duly executed by the sheriff, and
the forfeitures paid to Mr. Annesley. This is followed by a letter from Lord Burghley to Dr.
Chaderton (July 23), touching the ill state of Lancashire at the time when the high commission
first repaired thither, in which it is announced that the queen has sent a letter of thanks to_ the
Earl of Derby for his zeal in endeavouring to reform the county. His lordship, at the same time,
expresses his wish to obtain a proper person to whom he may entrust the care of the tenants of
Manchester College ; and after giving the bishop hopes that his firstfruits may be remitted, he
gives him this statesman-like advice as to his behaviour both to great men and to poor: "And
nowe, good my lorde, that you are once entered into the way of reformation, remember S. Paul,
tem-pestivl, intempestivl Somewhere you must be as a father, somewhere [as] a lord. For so the
diversitie of your flocke will require. With the meanest sort, courtesie will serve more than
argument ; with the higher sort, auctoritie is a match." From a subsequent despatch (July 26)
from the lords of the council to the Bishop of Chester, it appears that the people of Lancashire had
much disputing about the bread of the holy sacrament— whether it should be common bread or of
the wafer kind on which point their lordships decided that the communicants in each parish
should use that which they liked best till the Parliament had taken further order m the matter.
To the Parliament was also referred the question whether fairs and markets should be continued
on the Sabbath days or they should be discontinued. In a letter of July 31 from Sir J^rancis
' Tindal's "Eapin," v. ix. p. 620, ei 1729. ' History of Samlesbuiy, pp. 60, 61.-0. " Peck's Desid. Cur. p. 85.
236 THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIEE. ohap. xiii.
Walsino'ham to the Bishop of Chester, the queen's resolution was communicated to deal with the
recusants, and it was at the same time stated that good preachers were wanted in Lancashire.' In
a despatch of the 29th of September, from the queen to the Bishop of Chester, his lordship and the
dean and chapter are required to furnish out three light horsemen for Ireland ; and, at the same
time, the rectors of Wigan, Winwick, and Middleton are required by the council to furnish out
three more light horsemen, being each one. Two following despatches of November 12 required
that certificates of the recusants should be returned from Lancashire, if not as perfect as possible
yet as perfect as they can be made. The prevailing evil of young gentlemen being educated abroad
in popish countries is dwelt upon, and divers gentlemen in the diocese are required to be called
before the bishop, and to give bonds for calling their children home in three months. In a
communication from Edwin Sandys, Lord Archbishop of York, to William Chaderton, Lord Bishop
of Chester, an account is given of an " exercise " lately held in Yorkshire, probably on account of
the great earthquake of the 6th of April, 1580.
In the following year (1581) the prosecutions against the popish recusants were still more
strongly pressed by the lords of the council ; and Sir John Southworth, Lady Egerton, James
Labourne, Esq., John Townley, Esq., Sir Thomas Hesketh, the lady of Mr. Bartholomew Hesketh,
Campion the Jesuit, James Aspden, John Baxter, Richard (a priest), William Wickliffe, and Richard
Massey, are mentioned as of that number, all of whom were placed in confinement, and subjected,
as the correspondence sufficiently indicates, to heavy penalties and to personal privations. As is
usual in times like these, pretenders to supernatural gifts were abroad in the county; and one
Elizabeth Orton made no small stir by two feigned visions which she pretended to have had, and
accounts of which were spread abroad amongst the Catholics and other ignorant people, to mislead
the vulgar, and unsettle the minds of the well-affected. This unfortunate girl was publicly whipped
(July 22), in order to extort from her a confession ; and the experiment at first succeeded, but
she afterwards retracted her declaration, made before the bishops and the other ecclesiastical
commissioners. That confession was, however; thought too valuable to be lost, and, notwithstanding
her retractation, it was publicly read in the parish church, and in other places where the fame of
her visions had been divulged. In addition to Halton Castle, in the county of Chester, the new
Fleet at Manchester, which had been erected specially for the purpose, was used as a prison for the
recusants ; and Sir John Southworth was kept in confinement there, under the wardship of Mr.
Robert Worsley, of Booths, an active public officer. In the course of this correspondence, the
lord president of the north (^December 7) commends the design of the Bishop of Chester to live at
Manchester, and wishes him to set up a lecture there, to commence every morning at six o'clock,
and every evening at seven o'clock.^ Notwithstanding all this vigilance, the lords of the council
still complained to Mr. Richard Holland, high sheriff of the county (December 14), that though
an Act had been passed in the last session of Parliament for all recusants to be proceeded against
at the quarter sessions, yet nothing was done in Lancashire ; and they required the justices of the
peace to meet and cause the rural deans, ministers, and churchwardens to present all such recusants
upon oath at the next quarter sessions, or, in case of neglect, to return the names of all absent
justices, and other defaulters, to the Privy Council.^
Amongst the most distinguished of the recusants was Father Edmund Campion, the Jesuit
already mentioned,'' who openly "exhorted the queen's women to commit the like against the
queen as Judith had done with commendation against Holof ernes." ^ After having passed through
' Owing to the Impoverishment of the Church at the time of the Manchester to read prayers in the apartments where the prisoners were
Reformation, and the inadequacy of the endowments of many of the confined, especially at mealtimes, so that they had the pleasant alterna-
beneflces, there was much spiritual neglect in the pari.shcs, and a great tive of taking theological nourishment with their food, or going without
lack of learned men to preach the reformed doctrines. To remedy victuals altogether ; and the more scrupulous elected to be deprived of
tlie evil, certain itinerant ministers were appointed, eJled liing's or their meals rather than endanger the health of their souls by taking in a
Queen s Preachers, whose duty it was to preach the reformed doctrines nourishment, as they ooniectured, to poison their better part.— C.
m out-of-the-way places, m this then out-of-the-way county. The office ' The Parliament of January, 16S1, declared the crime of absolving
seems to have been onginaUy instituted when the College of Manchester or withdrawing others from the established religion high treason,
was dissolved in the early part of the reign of Edward VI , when the Earl and adjudged that the penalty of saying mass stould be increased to two
ot Uerby, to whom the College-house and lands were transferred, was hundred marks and one year's imprisonment; of hearing mass, to one
required, as a condition, to appoint and maintain four such preachers, hundred marks and imprisonment for the same period ; that the fine for
not only ta solemnise the parochial services at Manchester but to visit absence from church shoflld be £20 a lunar montli ; and if extended to a
and preach in the several churches and chapels in the neighbourhood. year, the offender to find two sureties for his future good behaviour in
Ihe original grant was t40 a year to each. In Elizabeth's reign, and at it:iO0 each ; and to prevent the concealment of priests as tutors or school-
the commencement of each succeeding reign until the crown lands wore masters in jirivate famihes, every person acting in such capacity, without
subjected to the authority of ParUameut, a sum of £200 a year was voted the approbation of the ordinary, was liable to a year's imprisonment, and
lor tne payment ot lour preachers, either as itinerant or as oliiciating the person who employed him to a fine of £10 per month. 23 Eliz. c. 1.
in poor eha,pelries. Alter that time the annual grants of Parliament were * A letter from Campion to the pnvy council, offering to avowand
substituted for the roj'al bounty. Ihe office was regulated by James I., to prove his Catholic reUgion by disputation, before the doctors and
out ot zeal to Oocl s glory and care to the souls of many thousands ot masters of both universities, concludes in a strain worthy of an ancient
His Majesty s subjects in this county of Lancaster, there being great martyr: "If," says he, " these my offers be refused, and my endeavours
want of maintenance for preachers in most placos of that shire." The can take no place ; and I, having run thousands of miles to do yon good,
number was conlinued at four, who were to preach among the impro- shall be rewarded with rigor, I have no more to say, but to recommend
priations subject to the appointment of the Bishop. During the your case and mine to Almighty God, the searcher of hearts, who send
Commonwealth period the amount paid was largely increased, and the us of his grace, and sot us at accord before the day of payment. To the
lorm of grant was altered ; but after the Restoration the original end at last we may be friends in heaven, where aU injuries shaU be
payments were re-established.— 0. forgotten " > j
= Dodd affirms that Bishop Ohaderton gave orders to the clergy of ■> Camden's "Annals Elizabeth," p. 262, edit. 1635.— C.
CHAP. XIII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
237
the counties of lork and Lancaster, disseminating the Catholic doctrines, he was apprehended in
London and committed to the Tower, where, by the operation of the rack, he was brouc^ht to
divulge the names of the persons by whom he had been entertained, and in which number the
following inhabitants of Lancashire appear : " Talbot, of , Esq. ; Thomas Southworth, Gent •
Bartholomew Hesketh, Gent.; Mrs. Allen, Widow; Richard Hawghton, of the Park, Gent ;
Westby, Gent.; Rygmaiden, Gent." It further appeared that he was in these places
between Easter and Whitsuntide last past ; and that during that time he resided in Lancashire
at Mr. Talbot's and Mr. Southworth's. On the 12th of November Campion was brought to trial in
London, along with seven other persons, before Sir Christopher Wray, the lord chief ju°stice, charged
with conspiring the death of the queen's majesty, the overthrow of the religion now professed in
England, and the subversion of the state. On the trial a letter was produced, written by Campion,
the prisoner (in 1581), to a person of the name of Pound, a Catholic, in which the writer said, "It
grieveth me much to have offended the Catholic cause so highly as to confess the names of some
gentlemen and friends in Avhose houses I have been entertained : yet in this I greatly cherish and
comfort myself, that I never discovered any secrets there declared, and that I will not, come rack,
come rope." Though the prisoners, particularly Campion, defended themselves with great ability,
they were all found guilty, and the Jesuit, and three of his fellow-prisoners— namely, Thomas
Cotton, Robert Johnson, and Luke Finley — were executed. ' The lords of the council, in a despatch
to Henry Stanley, Earl of Derby, and William Chaderton, Lord Bishop of Chester, thanked them in
the queen's name for their brisk proceedings against the recusants, and desired them to go on ;
thanking them also for removing such as were prisoners at Chester to the new Fleet in Salford,
and expressing their sorrow that priests were lurking about the country under the name of school-
masters, whom they wished to have apprehended and brought to punishment. In another despatch
from the Archbishop of York to the Bishop of Chester, the bishop is required to reform Mr.
Wigington, a young Puritanical minister, or, if that is not practicable, to prevent him from preach-
ing in his diocese. The expense of supporting the recusant prisoners could not be defrayed out of
the monthly forfeitures levied in the diocese on the recusants, and therefore the collection of eight-
pence per week in every parish, allowed by the statute of 14 Elizabeth for the relief of other
poor prisoners, was ordered by the lords of the council to be converted to this use, and letters
were written to the Earl of Derby, the Bishop of Chester, and the justices of the peace in Cheshire
and Lancashire (June 24, 1-582), to give orders for that collection to be made forthwith. It was
also ordered that Sir Edmond Trafford, the late sheriff of Chester, should pay the sum of one
hundred marks, levied by way of fine in his shrievalty on James Labourne, Esq., a recusant, to
Robert Worsley, keeper of the new Fleet, in Manchester, for the diet and other charges of the
priests and other poor recusants in that prison. To save charges, Sir Francis Walsingham, in a
letter to the Earl of Derby (June 30), requested that the most inoffensive poor recusants, as women
and such like, might be discharged upon their own bonds. The collection of this parish assessment,
though amounting to only eightpence weekly for each parish, appears to have been attended with
great difficulty, to obviate which, Mr. Worsley transmitted a proposal to Government (Dec. 3),
wherein he offered, if he might have a year's collection beforehand, to erect a general workhouse
for the whole county of Lancaster, there being then none in existence. This scheme the lords of
the council strongly approved, and recommended that Mr. Worsley's proposal should be acceded to,
both in Lancashire and Cheshire, but the undertaking seems to have failed.
The following letter, having reference to the objections which had been urged against the
weekly payment of eightpence from each parish, occurs in " Strype's Annals : —
The lords of the council to the Earl of Darby and Bishop of Chester, concerning the weekly collections to be made in his diocese
for maintenance of popish recusants in prison.
After our hearty commendations to your good lordships. i. i •
Whereas, by direction from us heretofore by sundry letters written unto you, you have preceded to the levymg ot a certam
contribution by 8d. by the week upon every parish within the diocess of Chester, levy-able by the statute of the xiy year ot her
majesty's reign, for the feeding and maintenance of prisoners committed to the common gaols of the counties witlim that diocess ;
which contribution not having been, sithence the stablishing of that statute, collected, and (as we have been mtormed) we did
conceive that the same might have been gathered, and employed in the maintenance of such prisoners, as being persons dangerous
to the state, and committed to safe custody, to the end they should not pervert her majesty's subjects with popery and disobedience ;
but that certain of the justices of the peace in the counties of Lancaster and Chester have been here with us, and declared unto us
that the inhabitants of either county do murmur and find themselves grieved with the payment of that contribution, as well tor tnat
the 8am.e is conceived not to be agreeable with the meaning of the statute, as that it is not indifferently laid among them m respect
of the parishes, being of unequal numbers of householders ; some containing many, and some but a few ; and yet the tax equal, botn
to the great and to the less.
■ According to the TMatrurn. CrwOditatU Hcmticorum in AnglU, there nine abbots, and three priors, l^^^i^?^ «l"y:'™JiiS^^^
were executed of prieste and others of the ixipish religion, in Queen in several prisons ; in addition to which, there wei^esix laics one^^^
EUzabeth's reign, from 1670 to 1617, thirty-one priests and thirteen lay- was Sir Thomas More, late lord chancellor, and another the Oountess ol
men. In Henry VIII.'s reign, from 1637 to 1543, according to the same Salisbury,
authority, there were executed fif ty-two priests, including one cardinal.
238 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiii.
Upon consideration whereof, we think it not convenient to lay any charges upon her majesty's subjects more than the law may
warrant, or the necessity o£ her majesty's service, with regard to her prerogative, may be allowed. So in case of such necessity as
this is the same tending to the benefit of her majesty and her estate, we did little expect any such disliking of the inhabitants of
the said counties, as by some of the justices hath been declared unto us. And so much the less, because we never underatood
thereof from your lordships, and the greatest number of the best affected of the justices of those counties : who, as we are informed,
did joyne with your lordships in the assessing of the said collections, of whom many have lately written unto us for the continuance
thereof shewing the benefit already grown thereby. Considering also, that by yielding thereunto, the whole diocese was to have
been eased of the number of rogues, vagabonds, and masterless persons wandering and pestering the same, who, by the erecting
certain hoiises of correction, were to have been set on work, and employed in honest and commendable arts and exercises.
And albeit upon this information upon the pretended grievance of her majesty's subjects, wee do think it convenient to have
the said collection of 8i by the week to be stayed ; yet before we could give any direction thereunto, not knowing what your
lordships and the rest, by whom the same hath chiefly been dealt in by our directions, can say to the information in that behalf
delivered unto us, we have thought good first to acquaint you therewith, that we might receive your answer, knowledge, and opinion
thereof : which we pray you to certify with as convenient speed as you may. And so we bid your good lordships right hrtily
farewel. From the court at Greenwich the 6. of July, 1583.
(Signed) Tho. Beomelet, Cane. W. Burghlet, A. Wabwike, Rob. Lbtcestee, and divers more.
Lord Burghley, and the other lords of the council, in a letter (Jan. 18, 1583) to the Earl of
Derby and the Bishop of Chester, thanked them in the queen's name for the pains they had taken
in the examination of James Labourne, a layman, about whom they had ordered the queen's
council to consider how far he might be punished for his lewd speeches, which punishment speedily
ensued. Labourne, having been brought to trial, was convicted and executed, on a charge of haviag
conspired to subvert the queen's government, and to overturn the religion of the state. The lords
of the council, though not disposed entirely to liberate either Sir John Southworth or John
Townley, Esq., from their confinement in the Fleet at Manchester, submitted to the Earl of Derby
and the Bishop of Chester (Feb. 22) whether they might not relax the severity of their imprisonment.
The expense of the prison establishment in Manchester at this time was so considerable that
Mr. Worsley brought in a Bill (July 6) for the diet of sixteen recusants to the amount of six hundred
and fifty pounds, which neither the fines, which were very large, nor the collections of eightpence
per week from the parish, which were very small, and deemed to be illegal, were equal to pay. The
justices of Lancashire, therefore (Oct. 7), made an offer of a year's contribution to meet this
expense, which example the lords of the council urged the justices of Cheshire to imitate. At this
time many Jesuits and other priests were abroad in the county of Lancaster, the antidote for which
pest, the lord-president of the council of the north conceived, was best to be found in zealous
Protestant preachers, and, in particular, he hoped a good one would be placed at Preston, which,
being a central part of the county, it was desirable should be well supplied.
At the same time, Archbishop Sandys composed a monitory letter, which he addressed to
Dr. Chaderton, and the other bishops of his province, urging them to take the sword and armour
of the Spirit to defeat the common enemy, and to defend the faith even to blood and death. The
fibres of superstition had, he said, taken deep root in the land. To these he lu-ged them to apply
the sharp sickle of God's word, to build up the walls of Jerusalem, and with all earnestness to shake
down the cruelty and tyranny of Antichrist, to check the stubborn and contentious enemies of the
Church with a rod of iron, and to restrain them from infecting the sound with their leprosy.'
An obscure letter, from Sir Francis Walsingham to the Earl of Derby (Nov. 30), communicated
the fact that Mr. Cartwright, a Puritan minister, and a number of Popish rescuants, were in
Lancashire, for remedy of which he recommended good preachers. In this letter it is stated that
Somerville entertained the disloyal intention of assassinating the queen, and that, in order to avert
the consequences of his treason, he had feigned himself to be mad, but it appeared on examination
that he was not labouring under any mental distraction.
The parochial weekly collection, though yielding little revenue, was still pressed on by the
lords of the council; and those gentlemen who opposed it, especially Mr. Bold, were ordered
(Dec. 2) to be sent up to London, to enter into recognisances to appear before the council, as well
as those who subscribed their names both for it and against it, and those who promised to join with
the Earl of Derby and the Bishop of Chester, but yet forsook them. Ferdinand Stanley, Lord
Strange, in order to show his zeal in the prosecution of recusants, addressed a letter of congratulation
(Dec. 16) to the Bishop of Chester on the good opinion entertained of his behaviour by the lords of
her majesty's council, and also on the good opinion they entertained of his father the Earl of
Derby.
As a further act of grace to Sir John Southworth, the lords of the council addressed a letter
to the Earl of Derby (23 Feb., 1584), the Bishop of Chester, Sir John Byron, and Sir Edmund
Trafford, signifynig their wish that Sir John might, at the instance of his son, have the liberty or
certain walks, which he had formerly been permitted to take, but which Mr. Worsley had refused
to grant him, on account of Sir John not being present at the saying of grace, and refusing to
1 Libr. CouT. and Oaius Con.
CHAP. XIII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIEE.
239
read the Bible. _ By another dispatch (March 22), permission was granted to Mr Townlev a
prisoner for rehgion at Manchester, to repair to London for medical advice, at the request of D^ean
St ' ^^p7°y^l^y« brother-m-law. In a despatch (March 22) to the Earl of Derby and the
Bishop of Chester the lords of the council signify that there being several popisWriests now
P'TtT.t tl. "''^'flV'^P'T'J''^^/^' q^^eei^'s ^utjects from their allegiL^itYs ttouX
good that they should be tried for the same, ^.^ terrorem, at the next assizes; and that kv
gentlemen recusants, their prisoners, be made to pay for their diet, or be put upon pr'ison al owance^
The zeal of the council, against the recusants was not confined to one sex, fo?, in a letter (Ma? 2)
^ vZl^l H wv'' Walsingham to the Bishop of Chester, his lordship is desired to cause Mr
Bartholomew Heskeths wife,_ a daughter _ of Sir John Southworth, and a busy recusant to be
apprehended He is also desired to inquire into the reason why " Sir John Southworth is minded
to disinherit his son and to take care to prevent his so doing.^ Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester
in a letter to the bishop (June 5), expresses his approval of the recognisance of Sir Thomas
Hesketh, and intimates his intention shortly to visit his cousin the Earl of Derby It appears
that some apology was thought necessary to be made by Her Majesty's Council to the ecclesiastical
commissioners ior the_ removal of Sir John Southworth and Mr. Townley from Manchester to
London. Their lordships therefore stated to the Earl of Derby and the Bishop of Chester that
these gentlemen having paid their fines according to the late statute, could not any longer remain
justly committed, and_ moreover that they would do less mischief in London than in Lancashire •
but that It the commissioners thought it absolutely necessary for the ends of good policy or for
their own sake, they should be sent back to Manchester. To turn the disloyalty of the subiect to
the advantage of the state, the fords of the council wrote to the sheriff's and justices of Lancashire
requiring the recusant gentlemen in that county to set forth certain horsemen for the queen's
service, or, in lieu thereof, to pay a composition in money of twenty-four pounds for every horse-
man ; and the queen, whose zeal for the military service was not less active than that of her
mmisters, addressed a letter to the sheriff" of Lancashire, ordering him to levy two hundred
footmen m that county for the Irish service, without parade ; the said men to be ready at three
days warning, to march under Edmund Traffbrd, Esq., whom she had appointed to be their
captain, all furnished with calivers, corslets, bows, and halberts, to which were afterwards added
swords, daggers, doublets, hose, and cassocks.
In a letter from the lords of the council (June 25, 1585) to Ferdinand Stanley, Lord Strange,
the Bishop of Chester, and the justices of Lancashire and Cheshire, it is signified that several
libels having been formerly pubHshed against the queen, and now a vile book (" Leicester's
Commonwealth "; against Robert Dudley, Earl of Leicester, the queen cannot forbear rebuking
soine fortheir great slackness in not suppressing the former libels, and requiring them to be more
diligent in taking care of this last, both the queen and they knowing the Earl of Leicester to be
clear of the aspersions contained in it.
The last public letter in the series of the Chaderton MSS. is from the queen to the Bishop of
Chester (Jan. 23, 1686), signifying that her majesty, being resolved to assist the Hollanders against
the King of Spain" with a thousand horse, besides foot, and the clergy, in case the King of Spain
should prevail, being in as great danger as herself, she had thought good that they should provide
some of the said horse, or allow twenty-five pounds for each horse and furniture to buy them
abroad — the Bishop of Chester, and his clergy in particular, to fit out as many horse as directed in
the following schedule, sent with the queen's letter : — ■
SCHEDULE.
1. The bishoppe, 3 ; 2. The deane, 1 ; 3. The chapter, 2 ; 4. Edward Fleetwood, parson of Wigan, 1 ; 5. John Caldwell, parson
of Wynwicke, 2 ; 6. Edward Ashton, parson of Middleton, 1 ; 7. John Nutter, prebendarie parson of Sefton, of Aughton, and
Bebington, 1 ; 8. Ed- Gerrard, prebendary in Southwell, and parson of Stopport in Cheshire, 2 — total, 13.
In the " Harleian Collection of Manuscripts"^ in the British Museum, we find a number of original
papers relating to " recusants and others," from which are made the following extracts relating to
the county of Lancaster : —
Papers Relating to Recusants and other Religious Criminals.
(Originals. J
This ys the names of all the bishops doctors priests that were prisoners in the Fleet for religion synce the fyrste yere
Fo. 76. of the raygne of quene Elizabethe, a.d. 1558.
gnt.] [There are 18 entries on this paper, of which the 17th is Mr. Prestwick, gentleman, 16 of December, 1562. [Fol. 7 b.
* Sir John Southworth 's eldest son had become a convert to the 2 Elizabeth wag very slow in consenting to enter upon this expedition,
reformed religion — an act that there was some fear would cost him for to support subjects against their sovereign appeared to her to be little
his inheritance : hence the Bishop of Chester was directed to inquire less than treason against the rights of monarclis. Eventually, however,
into the matter, that "in case the bad father have so ill a meanynge her scruples were overcome by the combined counsels of Burleigh, Wal-
towards his eldest and best soon, some order may be taken to stay his singham, and her special favourite, Leycester.— C.
purpose, and to preserve the inheritaunce for its right heire." — 0. ^ Cod. 360.
240
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xlii.
Persons to be sought for.
[The names of these persons are written under each other in one column, and opposite most of the names are remarks stating
the quaHty and condition of the person, his haunts, &c. The following appear to be Lancashire gentlemen, but there are no
remarks :]
The Sonne of Sr Ths. Gerrard ; Bouth, gen ; Stanley, gen.
[The above seem to have been suspected of implication in Babington's Plot, for under one remark is written, " whereof the
servants of Babington can further shewe."]
10 Sep. 1586.
A Collection of Sundry Persons as well Priests as other ill-affected "to the State.
jf JH^ There is no Lancasliire gentleman under this head, but in the two following, which are lists of names, and styled in the
Catalogue, " Advertisements touching others," and " discovering more of the same Gang," there are these :—
Mr. Charnock of Ashby ; Mr. Hilton [Hulton] of Hilton Park ; Sr. John Eatolyffe, a daungerous Temporiser; Burton, a Priest
rejDayning with the wyfe of Sr. Thomas Gerott's [Gerard's] base son, being a Fleming born, and a very great harborer of the ill-fated
gent, in those parte, — she remaineth for the most part at Checkerbent in the house of Ralfe Holme, a Recusant ; Mr. Standish of
Standish ; Mr. Haughton of Haughton Tower ; Henry Davys, sometime very inward with Shelley. [FoL 14.]
Names of such as are detected for reoeiptinge of Priests, Seminaries, c, in the County of Lancaster.
This appeareth by the presentment of Ralph Serjeant, Churchwarden of Walton in Ledale. — Jane Eyves of Fishwick, widow, receipt
the Sr. Evan Banister, an old Priest ; Sr. Richard Banister, an old Priest, is receipted at the house of one Carter, uere
to Runcorn Boat.
This appeareth by the presentment of the Vicar of Garstang. — One named little Richard receipted at Mr. Rigmaden's of Weddicar,
by report.
This appeareth by the presentment of Law : Procter, sworne man of Brihilt.— One Duckson, an old priest, eontinueth in Samlesburye
by common Report.
This appeareth by the presentments of the Curate of Burnley, and the Churchwarden of the Church. — Robt. Woodroof, a seminary
Priest, receipted at the house of Jenet Woodroof of Banktop in the parish of Burnley within this half-year, by common report.
This appeareth by the presentment of the Vicar of Whalley. — John Lawe, a seminary priest, receipted in divers parts of Lancashire
as specially in the parishes of Ormskirk, Preston, Blackburne, and Whalley.
This appeareth by the presentment of the Parson of Wigan : —
1. Henry Fairehurst of Winstanley, yeoman; 2. Thomas Orrell of Winstauley, yeoman; 3. Thomas Berchall of Billinge
yeoman ; 4. James Winstanley of Billinge, yeoman ; 5. John Roby of Orrell, yeoman ; 6. Henrie Iiaithewaite of the
Medowes, gent. ; 7. John Culchethe of Abram, gent.; 8, 9. Myles Gerrerde of Ince, esquire, and his wyfe.
These Persons are presented (by great and Common fame and reporte) to be receiptors of Priests hereafter named, viz. —
Bell ; Burton ; Mydelton ; Alex. Gerrard, brother to Miles Gerrard of Innce, esquire ; James Foord, son
to Alex. Fourd of Swindley, gent.; John Gardner, brother to Kobt. Gardner of AspuU, gent. ; Alex. Markland, son to
Matthew Markland of Wigan ; Pilkingtou, born in Standish Parish ; Worthington, born in the same parish ;
Stopforth.
This appeareth by the presentment of the Curate of Chippin. — Guile, a Priest receipted at the house of James Dewhurst of Chippin
by the report of John Salesburie of Chippin.
This appeareth by the presentment of the Vicar of Deane. — Divers Priests harboured at the house of Ralphe Holme of Checkerbent
This appeareth by the presentment of the Curate of Sephton. — James Darwen, a seminary priest, receipted at the house of Richard
Blundell of Crosby esquire by common report.
This appeareth by the presentment of the Vicar of Kirkham. — Richard Cadooke, a seminary priest, also Diev. Tytmouse, conversant
in the company of two widows, viz., Mistress Alice Clyfton and Mistress Jane Clyfton, about the 1st of October last, 1580, by the
report of James Burie.
This also appeareth by the presentment of the Vioar of Kirkham. — Richard Brittain, a priest receipted in the house of William
Bennet of Westby, about the beginning of June last, from whence young Mr. Norrioe, of Speke, conveyed the said Brittain to
the Speke, as the said Bennet hath reported.
The said Brittain remayneth now at the house of Mr. Norrice, of the Speke, as appeareth by the deposition of John
Osbaldston (by common report).
Fo. 32 b. — This appeareth by the presentment of Tho. Sherples. — James Cowper, a seminary priest, receipted, relieved, and
maintained at the lodge of Sr. John Sowthworthe, in Samlesburie Park, by Mr. Tho. Sowthworth, one of the younger sons of the
said Sr. John. And at the house of John Warde, dwellinge in Samblesburie Park side. And the said priest sayeth mass at the
said lodge and at the said Warde's house. Whither resorte Mr. Sowthworthe, Mistress Ann Sowthworth, John Walmesley,
servante to Sr. John Sowthworthe, Tho. Sowthworthe, dwelling in the Park, John Gerrerde, servant to Sr. John Sowthworthe,
John Singleton, John Wrighte, James Sherples junior, John Warde of Samblesburie, John Warde of Medler the elder, Henry
Potter of Medler, John Gouldou of Winwick, Thomas Gouldon of the same, Robt. Anderton of Samblesburie, and John
Sherples of Stanleyhurst, in Samblesburie.
This appeareth by the presentment of Tho. Sherples — At the house of William Charnooke of Fulwood, gent., was a Mass done on
our Lady Day in Lent last by one Evan Bannister, and these persons were at it: — William Harrison of Fulwood and his wife,
Richard Harrison and his wife, James Sudale of Haighton, Thomas Sudale and his wife, George Berley and his wife, Jeffraye
Wirdowe of Owes Walston and his wife.
This also appeareth by the presentment of Tho. Sherples.— At the house of James Sherples in Samblesburie was a Masse done on
Candlemas Day by one Henry Dueson, alias Harry Duckeson, and these persons were at it: — John Sherples of Stanleyhurst in
Samblesburie and his wife, and his son Thomas and his daughter Ann, and Rodger Sherples and his wife, and Richard Sherples,
and the wife of Harry Sherples, and the wife of Hugh Welchman, and Thomas Harrisson and the wife of Thomas Welohman the
elder, the wife of John Chitome, Robt Blackehay, Thomas Duckesson of Houghton, James Duckeson, the wife of Harrie
Bonne.
Fo. 33. At the lodge in Samblesburie Parke, there be masses daily and seminaries, diverse resorte thither, as James Cowpe
Harrison Bell, and such like. The like unlawfull meetings are made daily at the house of John Warde, by the Park side of
Samblesburie, all whiche matters, masses, resorte to masses, receiptinge of seminaries, will be justifyed by Mr. Adam
Sowtheworthe, Thomas Sherples, and John Osbaldston.
CHAP. XIII.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
241
Diocese of Cheater.
Com. Lane. ^ Cuthbe Clifton (of Clifton), Esq.
Amounderness i-Johii Westone, Esq.
Deanery. J Alexander Houghton (of Hoghton), gent.
Leonard Houghton and his wife
Mres Burton, widow
Thomas Burton, her son
Wm. Skellicorne (of Frees in Kirkham), gent.,
and his wife (Jane daughter of Thos!
Houghton of Hoghton).
Bridgett Browne, widow
Garge Clarkson, gent.
John Hothersall, gent.
Thomas Dicconson (of Eeolesto ), gent.
Obstinate Willm. Hesketh (of Aughton), gent.
George Walton, gent.
Thomas Coston (? Croston) and his wife
Wm. Hardock (? Haydook), junior, and his wife
Wm. Easton, gent.
John Singleton (of Stayning), gent.
George Houghton, gent.
James Eues
Richard Eues
George Butlor
John Hothersall, husbandman
Thomas Walmesley
Rogerson, widow, and her children
Eobte Midgeall, gent.
Conformable Arthur Houghton, gent.
"Wife of George Sothworthe, gent.
George Copell, gent., and his wife
Thomas Cowell
Thomas Cradon
Blackburn Deanery
tfohn Sothworth (of Samlesbury), Knt., and
the lady (Mary, daughter of Sir Richd.
Assheton of Middleton) his wife
Thomas Sothworth, his son and heir
John Sothworth, gent., Sonne to John Soth-
worth, Knt.
Anne Sothworth, his daughter
Dorothie Sothworth, his sister
John Talbott, Esq.
John Townley, Esq., and his wife
Tho. Catherall, Esq., and his wife
Henrie Lowe, junior
Margaret Lowe, widow
Obstinate James Hargreues
Lucie Townlie
John Yate, son to John Townley, Esq.
Com. Lane.
Blackburn
Deanery.
Conformable
) Ellen Bannister, wife of Eobte Banester, gent
> Anne Townley, wife of Henrie Townley, gent
) Jenet Paslowe, wife of Francis Paslowe, gent
John Rishton, gent.
John Rishton, husbandman
Randle Ferrand
Richard Wodde
Richard Hinley
* * Y
Wm. Rishton, gent., and his wife
Ellen Rishton, widow
Gilbert Rishton, gent., and his wife
Lun. Whittacre, gent.
* * *
Warrington Deanery
Hamlet Holcrofte (of Little Wolden), gent.,
and his wife
Dame Margaret Atherton, widow
Tho. Mollinex, gent.
Matthewe Travys
John Mollinex, "schalerner"
Obstinate Elizabeth Hesketh, widow
Eliz. Sutton, widow
Eliz. Kighley, gone
Stanley, widow, and Anne her daughter
One Bineston, her servant
Wm. Hetcher
Kat. Marsh, wife of Humfrey Marsh
Henry Richardson
Conformable Edward Chawner (? Challenor)
Manchester Deanery
Wm, Hulton (of the Park), Esq., and his wife,
obstinate
[Several names follow, belonging to the county of Chester, after
which are — ]
Com. Lane. t John Sothworth (of Samlesbury), Knt.
Item. t Cuthbert Easton, Esq.
t John Talbot (of Bashall), Esq.
t John Townley (of Townley), Esq.
t Thorn. Caterall (of Caterall and L.ttle Mitton),
Esq.
t Alexander Houghton (of Hoghton), gent,
t Thomas MoUinex, gent.
+ John Hothersall (of Hothersall), gent.
+ Matthewe Travis, yeoman
Com. Cost.
John Whitmoi*, Esq.
Wm. Houghe, Esq.
Of all the rest these twelve^ are in or opinions of longest obstinacy against Religion, and if by your Loi-dships' good wisdomes
they could be reclaymed we think the other wold as well follow their good example in embrasinge the Queen's Majesty's most godly
proceeding as they have followed their evil example in " contemprising " their duty in that behalf.
Indorsed— Feb. 9th [or 7th], 1575.
In the Elizabethan age, when taxation had not attained its present perfection, the counties
were called upon to supply their monarch with the substantial viands which graced even the
breakfast table of her majesty. ^ The county of Lancaster, by an agreement entered into at Wigan
^ There ara only eleven names here.
2 Expenses of Queen Elizabeth's Table.
The Queen's Majesty booke signed with her hand. The Queen's Majesty's diet, as she hath been daily served.
Bkeakfast.
Cheat and mancheat fid.
Ale and beer 3Jd.
Wine, 1 pint 7d.
Flesh for Pottage.
Mutton for the pot, S st 18d.
Long bones, 2 st 6d.
Ise bones, 2 st 2d.
Chines of Beef, 1 st 16d.
Short bones, 2 st 4d.
Chines of beef, 1 stone I'ld.
Conies [rabbits] 2 stone 8d.
Butter, 6 dishes fid-
Sum 8s. 6id. (rather 7s. 8 J d. )
Surcharged 5s. 5d.
Cheat and mancheat, S 8d.
Ale and beer, 6 gallons 10^.
Wine, 1 pint 7d.
Flesh for Pottage.
Mutton for the pot, 4 st 2s.
Long bones, 4 st 12d.
Ise bones, 3 st 3d.
Chines of beef, 1 st 16d.
Chines of mutton, 2 st 2a.
Short bones, 1 st 2d.
Chines of veal, 3 st 6d.
Chickens for gruel, 2 7d.
Veal, 2 stone 2s.
Chines of beef, 1[? stone] 16d.
Butter, 21b Sd.
Sum 13s. HJd.
ELIZABETH E.
32
242
THE HISTOR'Y OF LANCASHIKE. chap. xiii.
by the Earl of Derby, the Bishop of Chester, Lord Strange, and a number of the justices of the
peace there assembled, compounded, on behalf of the inhabitants of the county, for the provision
of oxen and other cattle for Her Majesty's household ; and Sir Richard Shirburn and Alexander
Rigby, Esq., on their resort to London during the ensuing term, were authorised to ratify the
ao-reement with "Mr. Treasurer, Mr. Controwler, and Mr. Cofferer," with whom it was agreed that
the county of Lancaster should yield yearly for that purpose forty great oxen, at fifty-three shillings
and fourpence apiece, to be delivered at her majesty's pasture at Crestow. This grave matter
beinc adjusted, the following award was made from each hundred, in ratification whereof the
undersigned affix their hands : —
[Westl Derby Hundred, £26 ; Amounderneas, £16 10b. ; Lonsdale, £16 10s. ; Salford, £16 10s. ; Blackburn, £16 10s. ;
Leyland £8. Total, £100.— If the sum shall come to more or less, the same to be increased or abated after this rate.
H. Derby. W. Cestr. Fer. Strange.
Eichard Shirburne Richard Brereton James Ashton Chribtopher Anderton Tho. Ecoleston
John Byron Richard Holland Edw. Tyldesley Robert Worsley Nicholas Bauester
John Radcliffe Wm. Farington Richard Ashton Robert Langton John Bradley
For the Provision of Oxen for the Queen's Majesty's Household.
These contributions, which were reduced to a money charge, having subsequently fallen into
arrear, a purveyor was sent down by the government to execute the commission by seizing the
oxen in the county ; but the Earl of Derby, aided by his treasurer, took order for enforcing the
payment of the composition, and in any case where the money could not be had the commissioners
were directed to take in lieu thereof, " for her ma*° provision. Bacon, and such lyke thinges."^ The
exactions of these purveyors "for her majesty's household and stables" had become so notorious,
that in the year 1.590 a commission was instituted in Lancashire to investigate these delinquencies,
and to certify the same to the queen's government.
A manuscript book of correspondence relating to the lieutenancy of the county of Lancaster,
from the year 1582 to the end of Queen Elizabeth's reign, is deposited in the Harleian Collection
in the British Museum,^ and serves to show with how much diligence the affairs of the queen were
administered during that period. These documents, though many of them highly interesting, and
calculated to shed much light upon the early history of the county, are too voluminous to be
comprised in the limits of a county history, and can therefore only be interwoven into the general
history in abstract. In Folio 54 of this manuscript a despatch appears from the lords of the
council, signed Tho. Bromley, Cane. E. Lyncoln, R. Leicester, W. Myldmaye, F. Bedford, Chr.
Hatton, J. Crofte, Wm. Burghley, F. Walsingham, R. Sadler, addressed "to the justices of the
peace inhabiting within the hundred of Salford," apprising them that her majesty's service in
Ireland requires to be supplied with fifty soldiers from this county, and directing that the levies
be made, so that the men may be at Liverpool ready to embark on the 15th of December, prepared
with such arms and accoutrements as are necessary for their complete equipment, or that the sums
necessary for that purpose be forthcoming. The number of men to be provided from the respective
hundreds in the following quotas : —
" Men to be made forth of these hundreds following : Derby hundred, 10| men ; Lonsdale, 9i
men; Salford, 9 men — £38 6s.; Blackburn, 9?,- men; Amoundernes, 7 men; Leylond, 4i- men.
Total 50."
On the receipt of this mandate a letter was addressed by " Ric Holland, Vic." from Heaton
House, summoning Sir Edmund Trafibrd, and the other justices of the county, to meet at
Ormskirk, on Saturday, 1st of December (1582), to take the necessary order for carrying her
majesty's commands into effect.''
This series of official documents illustrates the correspondence contained in the Chaderton MS.,
and here we find the_ proceedings adopted against the recusants, as detailed in a despatch of the
20th of June, wherein the sheriff and justices of the county of Lancaster are directed to proceed
against the principal offenders, forbearing for the present to prosecute those of the meaner sort,
but to call beforethem, at their quarter sessions, recusants being of the quality of gentlemen and
upwards, and ladies and gentlewomen widows, and to take bonds and securities of them for their
personal appearance at the next assizes for the county of Lancaster, that conviction and judgment
may ensue. To guard_ against remissness in the discharge of this duty, they are warned to take
care to answer her majesty's expectations, and the trust committed unto them, seeing that the
judges of assizehad received directions to examine and take account of their doings, and to report'
the same in writing to the council.
In the following year (1583) her majesty's service in Ireland required that Lancashire, instead
Codex 1926. See also Mr. Harland's Lancashire Lieutenancy under = Ibid,
the Tudors, c. (vola. 49 and 60 of the Ohotham Society's seiios). 3 qq^ 1925, fo. 72 b.
CHAP. XIII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 243
of fifty, should send two hundred able-bodied men to that country, to be in readiness to meet at
Chester on the 10th of September, to embark from thence for Ireland. ' To obviate a complaint
that had been made to the queen and her council, to the effect that the men, when placed under
the command of strangers, were not treated with " that love and care" that appertained to them,
her majesty, by her letters, recommended that they should be placed under the son of Sir Edmund
Trafford, and that they should be furnished with " swords and daggers, and likewise convenient
doublets and hose, and also a cassock, or some motley or other sad green colour or russet." The
hundred of Salford furnished one-fourth of the whole number, and the letter of Sir Thomas
Preston, summoning the levy to muster at Preston, required that they should come provided with
weapons as follows : " 20 w*^ calivers, 10 w**^ corslet and pikes, 10 w*'^ bows and arrows, and 10 w"'
halberds or good black bills." The urgency of the occasion is strongly indicated by the super-
scription of the letter, which runs thus: " Deliver this Letter to the next justice of peace of the
hundred aforesaid, and he to break it open, and aiV the perusal thereof to be sent from one justice
to another, that no delay be in the service w'^in contained."^
In the year 1585-6 the county was visited by a famine and by a murrain amongst cattle,
which was felt with great severity in the north; and her majesty, in her royal solicitude, directed
the lords of the council to address a letter to the sheriff and justices of the peace in the counties
of Lancaster and Chester,' requiring that the gentry of those counties should strictly abstain from
killing and eating flesh in the time of Lent, and other prohibited days, not only from the effect
that the abstinence of their own families would produce, but from the benefit of the example
amongst those of a meaner sort. These orders were addressed to the sheriff of Lancashire by the
lords of the queen's council, and were generally diffused throughout the county.
The violation of the Sabbath had long been complained of in Lancashire, and one of the
objects of the ecclesiastical commission sent down by Queen Elizabeth into this county was
to remedy these enormities. For the same purpose a letter was promulgated by the magistrates of
the county signed by Jo. Byron, James Asshton, Edm. Hopwood, Robte Worsley, Ric. Shirborn,
Bryan Parker, Th. Thalbotte, Tho. Talbot, Edm. Trafforde, Ric. Brereton, John Bradshawe, J.
Wrightington, Nicholas Banester, Ric. Asshton, Alex. Rigbie, and Edm. Fleetewoode.
The complaint was, that the Sabbath waa profaned by " Wakes, fayres, markettes, bayrebayta, bull baits, Ales, Maygamea,
Resortinge to Alehouses in tyme of devyne service, pypinge and daunoinge, huutinge and all maner of vnlawU gamynge." For
reformation whereof it was ordered to give in charge at the quarter sessions to all mayors, bailiffs, and constables, as well as to other
civil officers, churchwardens, &c., to suppress by all lawful means the said disorders of the Sabbath, and to present the offenders at
the quarter sessions that they might be dealt with for the same according to law. It was also directed that the mmstrels, bearwards,
and all such disorderly persons, should be immediately apprehended and brought before the justices of the peace, and punished at
their discretion ; that the churchwardens should be enjoined to present at the sessions all those that neglected to attend divine
service upon the Sabbath Day, that they might be indicted and fined in the penalty of twelve-pence for every offence ; that the
number of alehouses should be abridged, that the ale-sellers should utter a full quart of ale for a penny, and none of any Jess size,
and that they should seU no ale or other victuals in time of divine service ; that none should sell ale without a licence ; that the
magistrates should be enjoined not to grant any ale-licence but in pubhc sessions ; and that they should examine the officers of the
church and of the commonwealth to learn whether they made due presentment at the quarter sessions of all bastards born or
remaining within their several precincts ; and that thereupon a strict course should be taken for the due punishment of the reputea
parents according to the statute ; as also for the convenient keeping and relief of the infants.
This rigid moral discipline was much complained of by some of the gentry, and still more by
the labouring classes ; and when, at a subsequent period. King James, m his progress, visited the
county of Lancaster, he not only rescinded the orders but he founded upon that Act his book ot
Sabbath sports, the consequence of which was felt for succeeding ages. But of this more in its
proper^place.^ against the queen, and against the established Protestant Church of England, both
foreign and domestic, awakened in the nation a spirit of fervent loyalty; and an association of
Lancashire gentlemen, on the model of the Earl of Leicester's association was formed lor the
defence of Queen Elizabeth against the machinations of Mary Queen of Scots and the othei
enemies of the state. In the declaration promulgated by this association^ *?!q "^"f fwtlvps
divine right of kings and queens is strongly insisted upon, and the associators Pledged themselves
in the most solemn manner to defend the queen against a 1 her enemies foreign '^^'^ dornestic in
confirmation of which they took a solemn oath upon the holy Evangelists, and m witness whereot
they affixed their hands and seals as follows : —
> Harl. MSS. cod. 1926, fo. 103 b.
well as the close proximity of their county to Ireland and Scotland, led
' nan. MSS. coa. lazo, lo. lua u. , , j -^ v, t * * „t,^,»„t n,?d hPiw levies unon the flower of the peasantry darmg tho
' The ancient practice of England was not only to permit but *» *;X °Lriod of EuSethTi^grr
absolutely to require that every able-bodied freeman under sixty years dist"rbed perio^ tl f 'cm-^io'i of the Scots, or guarding
^, ^St,^L^ti^,'s'ii=?-^The=.^^ -f gSS9f^k^^i!^r''- ""•
244
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XIII.
Hen. Derby
W. Cestren :
Fer. Stranghe
Rychard Sherburne
John Badclyffe
Thomas Houghton
Edward Butler
Byohard Ashton
Edward Norres
Thomas Holcroft
Edward Osbaldeston
Kychard Holland
Rychard Boolde
Edward Scaresbrecke
Thomas Hesketh
John Holcroft
Richard MoUineux
Eauife Ashton
Eobt. Langton
Myles Gerrard
Willm. More
Adam Langhe
Robt. Charnocke
Richard Ormeston
Willm. Holton
William Thorneborowe
Edward Stanley
Edmund Chaderton
Gilbt. Langtree
John Croft
Thomas Leighe
Edward Braddle
John Wrightington
Edward Rawstorne
James Browne
Barnabie Kilchin
Edward Halsall
Edward Tildisley
Henry Stanley senior
Willm. Farrington
Henry Stanley
John Byrome
Wilm. Massye
Edward Tarbucke
Peter Stanley
Thomas Talbott
John Bradley
John Culcheth
John Ryshley
George Ireland
Charles Holt
Thomas Goodlowe
Thomas Morley
Thomas Ashton
Alexander Barlowe
Frauuoes Holt
James Ashton
Henry Eocleston
Alexander Rigbye
James Anderton
Barth. Hesketh
Lawrence Ireland
Thomas Lathome
John Grenalghe
Henry Banestr
Nycholas Banestr
Thomas Lancaster
Rychard Eltonheade
Robt. Holt
Edward Chaderton
Frances Tunstall
Willm. Skillioorne
Edmund Prestwiche
John Singleton
Henrye Butler
Thomas Brookholes
John Massye
William Redman
Aleu Holton
Willm. Kirbye
William Radclyffe
Edward Worthington
Thomas Woofall
In this list of loyal and patriotic Lancashire men occur the names of many who still adhered
to the ancient faith, a circumstance that would seem to justify the boast sometimes made by
Roman Catholics of the loyalty of their forefathers to a Protestant queen on the approach of the
Spanish Armada. Undoubtedly many of them were faithful to the crown, and it is not less
certain that the best of the old Catholic peers and gentry were out in the Armada year ; but there
was a special feature of this eventful period that must not be overlooked in considering the forces
which then disturbed the kingdom. There were at the time two parties in the Roman Church,
both of them the objects of popular distrust, though each had very different aims in view. There
was the English Catholic, who, while bent upon destroying the government of the queen, was yet
loyal to the queen herself, though his loyalty was often sorely tempted by intriguing ecclesiastics;
and there was the Roman Catholic whose disloyalty was stimulated and encouraged by Jesuits and
other foreign emissaries, who, resolved upon subverting the religion and liberty of England, had
prevailed with their disciples to accept a foreign purpose and a foreign prince. The former
reverenced Rome as the oldest of the Latin sees, but he was proud of his English birth, and loving
his country as other men loved it, was prompt to march when a foreign enemy threatened to
profane its soil ; he clung to ancient forms, and was desirous of seeing them restored, but he was
in every other sense an Englishman, and imbued with the grand old spirit of patriotism which
recoiled with aversion from an act that would imperil the greatness or welfare of his fatherland.
Whilst the latter was only English in name, Spain was his only country, and Philip his only king
and the Roman Church, if the Pope was its head and his cardinals its officers, was undoubtedly with
him in abetting the Spaniard in his projected invasion. Many of the Catholics acted traitorously
towards their country, and were ready to go to any extreme of perfidy and treason if only they
could thereby serve the church ; but it should also be remembered that there were very many
among them who, amid the social disabilities and persecutions to which they were subjected, never
wavered in their patriotism or in their loyalty to the crown.
Upon this declaration of loyalty an Act of Parliament was framed, by which, after reciting
that sundry wicked plots had lately been devised and laid, as well in foreign parts as within this
realm, to the great endangering of her majesty's royal person, and for the utter ruin and
subversion of the commonwealth, it was ordained, that if at any time, after the end of the then
present session of Parliament, any open invasion or rebellion should be had or made of her majesty's
dominions, or any act attempted leading to the hurt of her majesty's royal person, by or for any
person that shall or may pretend title to the crown of this realm, or if anything be compassed or
imagined tending to the hurt of her majesty's royal person, by any person, or with the privity of
any person that shall or may pretend title to the crown, then, by her majesty's commission under
her great seal, the lords and others of her majesty's privy council, and such other lords of
ParHament, to be named by her majesty, as with the said privy council shall come up to the
number of twenty-four at the least, shall, by virtue of this Act, have authority to examine all such
offences, and thereupon to give sentence or judgment as upon proof shall appear to them meet.
Mary Queen of Scots had long been a prisoner in England ; and it requires no sagacity to
perceive tha,t this Act was passed specially to bring her and her adherents to trial before a new
species of tribunal. The occasion was not long wanting. The conspiracy, formed in the year 1586,
by Anthony Babington, a young man of fortune, residing at Dethick, near Wmfield, in Derbyshire,'
where Mary was then a prisoner, and which had for its object to assassinate Elizabeth, and to
elevate Mary to the throne of England, followed so speedily upon the passing of the new Act as to
CHAP. xm. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 245
raise the surmise that the plot had been arranged to promote the interest of Mary's enemies, rather
than to advance her cause. Babington found Uttle difficulty in organising a band of assassins.
At the head of these fanatics stood John Savage, a man of desperate courage, who wished to
monopolise the glory of despatching the heretical queen ; next in order followed Babington
himself, and he had associated with him Barnwel, a man of noble family in Ireland ; Charnock, a
gentleman of Lancashire, and Abington, whose father had been cofferer to the queen's household.
Walsingham, the queen's secretary, whose vigilance never slept, and who had engaged Maud, a
Catholic priest, and a party in the plot, as his spy, became perfectly acquainted with all the
proceedings of the conspirators ; and when the proofs against Mary had sufficiently accumulated,
she was arraigned and brought to trial, October 12, 1586, charged with having, with others,
compassed the queen's death and the subversion of the established religion of the realm. After
much hesitation, she consented at length to plead, and declared herself not guilty. Amonost the
forty commissioners appointed under the authority of the Great Seal to sit in judgment in this
case were Sir Thomas Bromley (Lord Chancellor), the Earl of Shrewsbury, the Earl of Derby, Lord
Grey de Wilton, and Sir Ralph Sadler, Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, with Sir Christopher
Wray, the Lord Chief Justice, and four other judges.
The correspondence of Babington and Mary, carried on in cypher, and proved by her
secretaries, Nau and Curie, was laid before the commissioners, from which it appeared that
Babington had informed her of the designs laid for a foreign invasion, the plan of an insurrection
at home, the scheme for her deliverance, and the conspiracy for assassinating Queen Elizabeth, by
" six noble gentlemen," all of them his private friends, who, from the zeal which they owed to the
Catholic church and her majesty's service, would undertake the tragical deed. To this, Mary
replied that she approved highly of the design, that the gentlemen might expect all the rewards
which it would be in her power to confer, and that the death of Elizabeth was a necessary
circumstance, before any attempts were made either for her own deliverance or for an insurrection.'
It was also proved that she had allowed Cardinal Allen, a native of Lancashire, but long resident
in Rome, to treat her as Queen of England, and that she had kept up a correspondence with Lord
Paget, for the purpose of inducing the Spaniards to invade this kingdom. It was further proved
that Cardinal Allen and Parsons the Jesuit had negotiated by her orders, at Rome, the conditions
for the transfer of the English crown to the King of Spain, and for disinheriting her heretical son,
James YI. of Scotland. The trial, as might have been expected, terminated in the conviction of
Mary. When the verdict of " guilty " was given, which, under the provisions of a recent statute^
annihilated her claim to the crown, the streets of London blazed with bonfires, and peals rang out
from steeple to steeple. On sentence of death being passed, the Queen of England hesitated long
whether to inflict the utmost sentence of the law or to extend the royal clemency to her
unfortunate kinswoman ; but the force of public opinion was carrying all before it. The unanimous
voice of the people, the importunity of Parliament, and probably the queen's own secret
inclinations, at length decided that Mary should be executed. When Elizabeth sullenly consented,
and flung the warrant, signed, upon the floor, the Council took upon themselves the
responsibility of executing it, and the Earl of Shrewsbury, the Earl ot Kent, the Earl ot
Derby, and the Earl of Cumberland, attended by two executioners, went down to Fothennghay,
in Northamptonshire, for the purpose of seeing the sentence of the law carried into
effect. ' Mary received the fatal intelligence without dismay, and suffered on the scattoid
(February 8, 1587) with a degree of heroism which proved that she considered herself rather as a
martyr to the holy Cathohc religion than as a traitor to the state. _
Whfle these transactions were pending, the alarm of Spanish invasion spread through the
kingdom. In a letter from the Earl of Dudley, as lord lieutenant of the county of Lancashire, to
the deputy lieutenants, they were warned that advices had been received, from sundry parts
beyond the seas, of foreign forces assembled to invade this realm, and it was the special conamand
of her maiesty that order should be taken in every part of the country, that the prmcipa
inhabitants should furnish themselves without delay with armour and weapons, and take care that
estate Trials, ™l.l. p. 123. . . , .. lT°?^ntThTel^r^^ l'^s''e°dtt rfTSa^^^^^^^^^^
' The extent 'to which Elizabeth was. impUoated in the death of the »« 1>J» l°'^,f^YtV rf%^^^^^^^^ while staying at
Queen of Scots has been variously estimated. The preponderance of tl^^^^TOf^"'*? °' f^^^'^lls addressed "To our veary good Lord the
evidence, however, goes to show that her hand had been forced by her Longleat a year or two ago It ^^^^^ ^^^ commences " The
ministers, and that when the fatal warrant was signed her " command- Er e of f^^J^l^TotS-hra^tlTf i-S<A/ The document is endorsed in
ment," a^ expressed in the charge against Davison who earned it to the Council to the ^arl "t ^hrewsDm y^ f^ considering the
Council (Sir W. H. Nicolas, " Life of Davison " p. 95), wi^ "not to put it '^^^ Ji'^'-""™??^^''^^"^^^^^^ curtness that is perhaps
ia execution before the realm shaU be actually invaded by some foreign ff^gie nature «' '^i^ "™^'=°'^^' ™hto by Mr. Beale with the Comysion ye
power." The "commandment," if given, was disregarded. The Com- ""f ^"Knarl St^ at Orton Longvile : with him came Sir Drew
.mWoa which ordered the execution of the helpless captive was sent by ^i'tji!^I^fl\i-Mtl day weSt to Fothcringham, and the viijth of
7^Sh:^^ti''c::^^o^:^^ST^^'^^^S^K Jno f^p^uX^^r^^rtll^ wk her both lyvinge and with her
way col^romisls Elizabeth, is preserved among the papers in the posses- dead corpse. -C.
246
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIKE.
CHAP. XIII.
all their tenants and followers be also provided and in readiness to repel the common enemy. By
another despatch from his lordship, of the same date, addressed to the justices of the county, they
are charged to provide their proper quota of horsemen, to be ready at the shortest notice to resist
the invaders. At this critical period it became essential that the magistracy of the county should
be sound and well affected, and although the Earl of Derby, in his confiding temper, did not
conceive any material change to be necessary, the lord treasurer, on the suggestion of the Eev.
Edward Fleetwood, rector of Wigan, and others, caused a new commission to be issued, in which
the names of several fresh magistrates were introduced, and a considerable number of those who
were thought favourable to the recusants omitted. The consequence was, that at the summer
assize in 1587, no fewer than six hundred recusants were presented on oath, eighty-seven of whom
were indicted, and a notification was made of twenty-one vagrant priests usually received in
Lancashire, and twenty-five notorious houses of receipt for them.^ The Puritans, though pursued
Avith rigour, had become extremely obnoxious to the High Church party, and the scurrilous libels
against the prelacy, clandestinely issued from the press in Manchester and other places^ at this
period, under the assumed name of Martin Maeprelate, tended to aggravate the difference and
to excite the animosity of the queen and her court.
The ambition of Philip, King of Spain, and his anxiety again to introduce the Roman Catholic
religion into England, had involved the two countries in active hostility, and preparations had for
some time been making by the Spanish government to invade this country. In the midst of these
preparations and alarms the Queen of England and the King of Spain contemplated the
negotiation of a peace ; and the Earl of Derby, Lord Cobham, Sir James Croft, and others were
appointed commissioners on the part of England, to meet certain Spanish commissioners at
Bourbourg, near Calais. The negotiations continued for some time, but without any relaxation on the
part of Philip for attack, or of Elizabeth for defence. The haughty Spaniard, having at length
become impatient, ordered the " Invincible Armada," by which presumptuous name his fleet was
distinguished, to prepare for sea ; and although Santa Crux, by whom the fleet was commanded,
objected to the danger of navigating a narrow and tempestuous sea, without the possession of a
single harbour capable of affording shelter, and the Duke of Parma, the commander of the Spanish
land forces, wished to reduce the port of Flushing previously to the depature of the expedition, their
prudent counsel was rejected, as was also the advice of Sir William Stanley, who had devoted
himself to the Spanish cause, and had sacrificed his patriotism and his integrity by the sale of
Deventer and the transfer of its garrison to the enemy.^ The preparations of "Spain were beyond
all former example, and the invading fleet consisted of seventy-two galliasses and galleons, forty-
seven second-rate ships of war, and eleven pinnaces, carrying two thousand eight hundred and
forty-three pieces of ordnance, eight thousand and ninety-four seamen, and eighteen thousand six
hundred and fifty-eight soldiers ; while the English fleet, by which this immense armament was to
be resisted, consisted only of thirty-four ships of war, and a number of vessels principally furnished
by opulent individuals and by communities, but by no means equal in weight or appointment to
those to which they were to be opposed. In this emergency the queen issued a proclamation to
Henry, Earl of Derby, as lord lieutenant of the county of Lancaster, urging his lordship, and the
county over which he presided, by every consideration of social and domestic security, to call forth
the united energies of the county, in common with the nation in general, to resist the meditated
attack upon the throne and the altars of their country.
In a scarce volume, printed by Messrs. Leigh and Sotheby, in 1798, is given, from a contem-
porary manuscript, " The Names of the Nobility, Gentry, and others who Contributed to the
Defence of this Country at the Time of the Spanish Invasion, in 1588," the following being the list
for the county of Lancaster : —
Edward Norris, 16 die Marcii 25
George Ireland, eodem die 25
Edward Scaresbeck, arroiger, eodem 25
James Worseley, armiger, eodem 25
William Massy e, armiger, eodem 25
£
Henry Bannester, armiger, eodem 25
Barnabie Ivitchen, armiger, eodem 25
Richard Blundell, eodem 25
James Anderton, eodem 25
Richard Bold, eodem 25
MSS.
' See letter of Edward Fleetwood, dated "th September, in Cotton
2 Printing at this time was restricted to London and the two univer-
sities, and all candidates for licences to print were placed under the
supei-nsion of the Company of Stationers. Under these restrictions the
extreme Puritans provided a press and engaged itinerant printers, who,
like stroUmg players, went from one place to another to exercise their art
and mystery, finding refuge from the royal pursuivants in the country
Chester, when the Earl of Derby— who was residing at the time at Alport
Park, on tho outskirts of the town— decided to make short work by
destroying the press and putting the type into the melting-pot. It does
not appear that any of the Lancashire Puritans had any direct connection
with the printers of theso mysterious publications ; but tho suspected
authors, Penry, a young Welshman, and a minister named Udall— vlio
seem to have sought only a temporary shelter in the county — were seized
and charged with the offence. One of them died on the scaffold and
1.— C.
andWoolston in WarViokahire • tlVpv harf VhH'.'r".''' -"""'"'rm '^"'"'i"-'' ,." ineauviceof Sir WilUam was to t.ake posssssion of Ireland, as a
ana wooision, la Warwickshire , they had a brief sojourn at Warrington ; preliminary measure for the conquest of England.
F°awst°'i'^^'^^f '^- .H "^=1? ^* K'"«^'-. ta -.Wy ; removedYo the oThe? S pdsoi
and finally their press was discovered in a house in Newton Lane, Man-
CHAP. XIII.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
247
Richard MoUineux, armiger, eodem 25
John Cultheath (Culcheth), armiger, eodem .... 25
Lawrence Ireland, armiger, eodem 25
Thomas Lancaster, armiger, eodem 25
Mylea Gerrarde, armiger, eodem 25
William More, armiger, eodem 25
Adam Harden, armiger, eodem 25
Thomas Standishe, Esq., eodem 25
Sir Edmonde Trafford, miles, 14 die Marcii 100
Sir Jo. Eadcliffe, miles, eodem 100
Baphe Asheton, armiger, eodem 25
Richard HoUande, armiger, eodem 25
Richard Asheton, armiger, eodem 25
James Asheton, armiger, eodem 25
Thomas Leigh, armiger, eodem 25
Christofer Anderton, armiger, eodem 50
George Lathom. gen., eodem 25
Edward Brewerton (Brereton), armiger, eodem.. 25
Humfry Houghton, gen., eodem 25
Richard Tipping, gen., eodem 25
Giles Hilton, gen., eodem 25
Roberta Heskeeth, armiger, eodem 50
Edward Standishe, armiger, eodem 50
John Fletewood, armiger, eodem 50
Serjant Walmesly, gen., eodem 25
Robert Charnooke, armiger, eodem 25
Henrie Eocleston, armiger, eodem 25
Richard Brewerton, armiger, eodem 25
John Cowerden, gen., eodem 25
Roger Diconson, eodem 25
Thomas Clayton, eodem 25
Richard Worseley, eodem [,][ 25
William Farrington, armiger, eodem ' 25
Sir John Southworth, miles, 20 die Marcii ...... 25
Nicholas Banester, armiger, eodem 25
Edward Osbaldston, armiger, eodem 25
Roger Nowell, armiger, eodem 25
Richard Walmsly, gen., eodem 25
John Talbot, eodem ,,\ 25
John Lowe, eodem 25
Serjant Shutleworth, 16 die Marcii 25
John Dewhurst, 20 die Marcii 25
Thomas Houghton, armiger, eodem 100
Henrie Butler, armiger, eodem 25
John Singleton, armiger, eodem 25
* Thomas Eocleston, armiger, eodem 25
Thomas Preston, armiger, eodem 50
Christopher Preston, armiger, eodem 25
William Fleminge, armiger, eodem 25
John Bradley, armiger, eodem 25
George Midleton, armiger, eodem 25
William Crofte, armiger, eodem 25
* Robert Bindlowes, eodem 25
* William Thorneborough, eodem 25
* John Westbie, armiger, 26 Aprilis 25
* Roger Breers, armiger, eodem 25
* John Byrom, armiger, eodem 25
* Not charged.
Similar proclamations were sent to the lords lieutenant in all the other shires, and the country
was animated to a degree of enthusiasm never before witnessed. The beacons in every part of the
county were ordered, by a mandate from Ferdinando, Lord Strange, to be kept in continual
readiness ;_ and it appears, from a note of taxation in the archives of the hundred of Salford, that
the following charges were made for watching the beacon at Rivington Pike, from the 10th of July
to the 30th of September, 1588: Manchester division, £3 8s. lOfd.; Bolton division, £2 6s lOf d ■
Middleton division, £2 6s. lOfd..— Total, £8 2s. 8^d.'
Amongst the precautionary measures for the defence of the kingdom was one of considerable
rigour, which the necessity of the times seemed to suggest. A letter was addressed to the Earl of
Derby and the other lords lieutenant of counties and commissioners of musters, requiring that
because the enemy made his boast that he should have assistance of the Catholic subjects of this
land, that all the horses belonging to the recusants should be seized and committed to the custody
of some well-affected gentlemen, their neighbours, that their services might be used if there should
be occasion ; and in the meantime that they should be kept and maintained at the charge of the
owners, to be restored again when the danger was past. This document recommends that care
should be taken of the beacons, and that persons who spread false rumours and reports should be
arrested and committed to prison ; and that assistance should be given to the clergy, whose special
province it was to find out a certain number of horse and foot, who were to meet for the guard and
defence of her majesty's person, because it might fall out that they should stand in need of men
to ride their horses and to wear their armour. Amongst other places mentioned for the landing of
the invading army was the Pile of Fouldrey, in the county of Lancaster — the place where Martin
Swart landed with Perkin Warbeck in the reign of Henry VII.; and the reason of this arrangement
was that it was the best harbour for large shipping in all the western coast of England, " betwene
Mylforde Haven in Walls and Carliell on the borders of Scotlande," that the deputy-steward of the
Pile was Thomas Preston, a Catholic, or " a papyshe Atheiste," as he is designated, who commanded
the "menredes" (i.e., dependents or retainers) of Furness Abbey, and that Dr. Allen, who was born
at no great distance,^ and had infected the inhabitants with his " Romish poyson", was likely to direct
the attention of the Spaniards to this harbour.^ The magistrates, gentry, and freeholders of the
county were required to meet Lord Strange at Preston on the 13th of July, in order to complete the
preparations for the defence of the country ; and in the mandate issued by his lordship, in virtue of
orders from the queen, the very significant words are used of "Fayle not at youre vttermost peril."
By means of these vigorous preparations a force was collected of one hundred and one thousand and
forty men, trained and untrained, in the different divisions of the kingdom, including thirteen
thousand eight hundred and thirty-orie pioneers, lances, light horse, and petronels, of which
Lancashire and Cheshire furnished the following numbers : —
' Harl MSS. 1926.— 0.
' Oai-dinal Allen was bom at Eossall, near Fleetwood, within sight
of the Castle or Pile (i.e., Peel) of Fouldrey.— 0.
" Landsdowne MSS. cod. 66, endorsed "Towchinge a place called ye
Pille, in Lancashire, a dangerous place for Landinge, 1588."
248
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. xni.
" An Abstract of the Certificates returned from the Lieuftenants of the able, trayned, and furnished men in the seu'all Counties
vpon Letters from the Lordes, reduced into Bandes under Captaines, and howe they were sourted with weapons, in Aprill, a.d. 1588 : —
Warre ( Trained 1 Men
Shot.
Cordets.
Bows.
Bilk.
Lances.
Light Horse.
Lancastre ( Untrained. ) 1170
700 Calivers
300
80
20
20
50
The
provision of these two Counties is not certified.
\ Trained j Men.
Shot,
Corslets.
Bows.
Bills.
Lances.
Light Horse.
/ Untrained. \ 2189
420 Calivers
39 Muskets
500
80
80
30
50
" The Abstract of the numbers of Everie sorte of the armed men in the Counties through the Kingdom, taken an° 1588 :
Counties.
Able Men.
Armed.
Trained.
Untrained.
Pioneers.
Lances.
Light Horse.
265
50
Petronels.
Lanckeshire
Cheshire
1170
2189
1170
2189
...
...
64
20
91
Among the MSS. in the possession of Dr. Crompton, of Cranleigh, Surrey, formerly of Man-
chester, is a " declaration of the accompts of Sir John Byron, Knighte," which throws some light
upon the preparations going on in Lancashire at this time. It is headed : —
A Declaration of the Accompts of Sir John Byron, Knighte, the one of the deputie Lyveten'nts withn the Countie of Lancaster,
wherein is declared what sev'all somes of money the saide Sir John Byron hath receyved and standeth charged w^, what he hath
paide and disbursed as well by warrante from the Right Hou'able the Earl of Darbie, L. Lyveten'nt of the saide Countie as otherwyse,
and the remaynes in the said Sir John Byron his handes, to be answered the fifte day of Januarye. Aa. E. R. Elizabeth, &c.,
tri'cessimo sco 1589.
Receipts.
Derbie — Ffyrste receyved wth'in the li.
hundredth of Derbie by my saide L.,
his direction for the furnishinge and
tranyinge of the vi.c (600) trayned
souldires required to be in ready nes
by his L. of the xiiij"' of Maye, 1586,
the some of three hundreth fyftie
eight poundes too shillings threepence
halfpeny ccolviii
Salford — Also receyved within the
hundreth of Salford the some of too
hundreth and twentie pounds eleven
shillings and fouerpence ccxx
Leylonde — Receyved also within the
hundreth of Leylonde for the use of
afforesaide, the some one hundreth
fourtie neene pounds neene shillings
fouerpence
Sm viic.xxviij"' ij"- xi""- ob
iii ob
xj
cxlix
"J
Payments.
To
Mr. Stanley — Paide to Henrye
Stanley, Esquier, towards the p' vision
of armore & weapon for the furnish-
inge of the saide vjc souldiars vcxiiij
Paide to the saide Mr. Stanleye for preste
moneye y;
To my L. — Paide to my saide L. for
p'vision of powder xxx
To Mr. Doughtie — Delyvered to Mr.
Miohell Doughtie yj
Beacons — Paid to Richarde Molenex,
Esquier, for the erectinge of a
beacon -y-y
xu] mj
Payments — Con iinued.
Beacons — Paid to Rob'te Pilkington^ at
too seu'all tymes for repayringe and
kepinge the beacon at Ryven (Riving-
ton) Pyke
Paide for wage of ccc souldia* trayned too
days in March, 1687, at seu'all places
Paide for powder at Ormskirk the saide
tyme of trayninge
Paide the xxiiij daye of May for wage for
too dayes trayninge of the said ccc
souldiars at Mane ester
Paide the same tyme for ccx"- of powder
for the saide too dayes trayninge . , .
Paide for xviij rowles of matches
Delyvered to Captain Morgan for his
paynes in traninge
Armor for Irelande — Also paide as ap-
pereth by a byll of charge for
kepeinge, dressing, and recariadg
from Chester of such armour as was
left there by Mr. Delves, appointed
for Irish service vi
Sm t. vic.liiij "• v'-
Remaynes.
Remayceth in the hands of the saide Sir
John Byron, Knight , to be repayd
and answered upon this acoompt as
by the p'ticulars of receipts and
payments hearby at lardg, y* doth
and maye appeare, the some of Ixxviiij
li s. d.
V xvij iiij
XX
iiij
XX
xiiij
xviij
vi xiij iiij
1"]
xvij
xiob
In the midst of these preparations the Spanish Armada sailed from the Tagus, and after
encountering various disasters entered the English Channel, and formed in the shape of a crescent,
the horns ol which lay some miles asunder. The sight was grand beyond conception, but the
> Eobert Pilkington was doubtloas the eldest son of George Pilkmgton, of Bivington.
CHAP. xiii. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
249
events which soon after followed were infinitely more gratifying.^ The command of the English
fleet had been confided to Lord Howard of Effingham (a Catholic), the lord high admiral, whose
want of naval skill was supplied by the Earl of Cumberland and the Lords Henry Sevmour Thomas
Howard, and Edmund Sheffield with Sii; William Winter, Sir Francis Drake, Sir Robert Southwell
Sir John Hawkins, Sir Henry Palmer, Sir Martin Frobisher, Sir George Beeston ' and others Bv
this able council the plan of operations was determined upon, and before the Spanish fleet had
been two hours arrayed in order of battle, the cannonade was commenced by the English with a
spirit which showed that the determination existed to save England, or, if she was to fall to let her
fleet be the first sacrifice. A succession of engagements took place, in all of which though none of
them decisive, the advantage was on the side of England, till the finishing blow was given bv a
masterly manoeuvre, practised on the 29th July, 1588. On that memorable night the sea on a
sudden became illuminated by the appearance of eight vessels in flames, drifting rapidly in the
direction of the Armada, which was then moored off Calais. A loud cry of horror burst from the
Spaniards on the appearance of these engines of destruction; and in the midst of the panic they
cut their cables and ran out to sea, inflicting upon each other more damage than they had hitherto
received from their intrepid enemies. The fire ships burnt harmlessly on the edge of the beach
but a furious gale blowing from the west, the Armada was dispersed along the coast from Ostend
to Calais, and the guns of the British fleet completed what the skill of their mancEuvres and the
fury of the elements had begun. The want of ammunition compelled the English admiral to
return to port, otherwise the Spanish fleet would have been annihilated. Within the Armada
itself, however, all hope was gone. The crowded galleons were mere slaughter houses. The
scattered remnant of the fleet, with torn sails and shattered masts, unable to return, took the only
course open — a circuit round the Orkneys. Drake followed close in the wake of the flying squadrons,
and, like a true British sailor, wrote to Walsingham, " We have the army of Spain before us, and
mind, with the grace of God, to wrestle a fall with them. There was never anything pleased me
better than the seeing the enemy flying with a south wind to the northAvards." But the work of
destruction was reserved for a mightier foe than Drake, for no sooner had the remnant of the fleet
reached the Orkneys than the storms of the northern seas broke on them with a fury before which
all concert and union disappeared. The shores of Scotland and Ireland, in which direction the
enemy steered, were covered with the wrecks of their vessels, and strewn with the dead bodies of
their mariners; and when the Duke of Medina, the successor of Santa Crux, terminated his
unfortunate voyage in the port of St. Andero, he acknowledged the loss of thirty ships of the
largest class and 10,000 men.
The English nation was filled with exultation by this signal deliverance and most memorable
victory. The expressions of thankfulness were not confined to the heroes by whom it was achieved,
but rose to that Being without whose providential aid all their efforts must have been in vain.
A medal was struck by the Queen's orders, with the inscription " Afflavit Beus, et dissipantur," and
the nation, wishing to bear in perpetual memory " this signal deliverance from the malice, force,
and cruelty of their enemies," celebrated a general thanksgiving by royal proclamation, which was
announced to the county of Lancaster by the Earl of Derby in the following terms : —
" After my very hearty commendations : Whereas I am credibly informed that it hath pleased God to continue His goodness
towards our prince, church, and country, as in the late overthrow of our enemies taken upon the coasts of Ireland, it may appear by
this calendar here inclosed, — I have thought it expedient, in respect of Christian duty, we should fall to some godly exercise of
thanksgiving for the same by prayer and preaching. Willing you so to commend the business to the clergy of your hundred in
their several charges, as our God, by mutual consent, may be praised therefor. And this not to be omitted nor delayed in anywise,
but to be put in execution at or before the next Sabbath. And thus, desiring God to bless Her Majesty with long life and continual
victory over all her enemies, bid you farewell. Lathome, my house, this 24th of September, 1588. — Yours assuredly,
"To my very loving friends, Sir John Byron, Knight, one of my deputy -lieutenants for Lancashire, and to the rest of__the
justices of peace." [Here follows a list of the « Ships and men, sunk and drowned, killed and taken, upon the coast of Ireland, on
the Bide of the Spaniards.^]
> From a manuscript in the Harlcian Coll. cod. 286, it would appear ' Sir George Beeston was of the *»?""y °^ *^^' °"X
that the first notice of the sailing of the Armada from, Spain was commu- Cheshire, and was 89 years °i^e^J^^\^^'Z^^^^^llZf^^^^^ ? aUll
nicated to the government by Homfraye Brooke,,a Liverpool merchant ; of the Armada His monument wth ^e recumbent emgy upon
but the dates do not correepond with the official dttails, and wo are to be seen m the chancel of Bunbury Lhurcn. >..
unable to reconcile them. The document, however, is eunous, and\as " Harl. MSS. cod. 129b, :o. s».
such will be inserted in the West Derby Hundred History, under the
head of Liverpool.
33
250
T^HE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiii.
Although the pope, Sextus V., had fulminated a new hull of excommunication against
Elizabeth, absolving her subjects from their allegiance, and had published a crusade against
England with plenary indulgences to any one that engaged in the invasion, and although Dr.
Allen had received a cardinal's hat to qualify him as legate to England, yet the Catholic subjects of
the queen, both in this and other counties, remained faithful to their allegiance, and were amongst
the most active in equipping ships and placing them under Protestant commanders to repel the
invaders.^ Amongst a number of others, Sir Thomas Gerrard, Sir Thomas Vavasour, and Sir
Charles Blount distinguished themselves by their zealous and disinterested service in their
In Ireland the war seemed interminable, and no sooner was the Armada disposed of than an
order was issued, through Sir Richard Sherburne and Sir John Byron, to the magistrates of
Lancashire, requiring them to levy another hundred soldiers, in addition to those before sent, to
proceed to Ireland, properly furnished and equipped, to assemble at Chorley, and to proceed from
thence to theh destination. In a subsequent letter, the gentry and principal freeholders of the
county are advertised that all the demi-lances and light horse within the respective hundreds are
to appear before the lord lieutenant for his inspection ; which mandate awards to each the number
he is to furnish. It appears that in the former year the inspection did not take place, and the
Earl of Derby, in a communication of the 19th of February, notifies that it is the queen's pleasure
that they should be furnished and equipped, and ready at one hour's warning, and that the money
assessed for the levies should be paid into the hands of his receiver, Richard Holland, Esq., at his
house at Heaton.
The authority of the law was at this time so little regarded in the county of Lancaster that
Thomas Langton, of Walton-le-Dale, the Baron of Newton, on Sunday evening, November 21,
1589, assembled his tenants and retainers, to the number of eighty, in front of the house of
Mr. Thomas Hoghton, of Lea, in the parish of Preston, and challenged him_ to combat,
ostensibly because he had impounded a number of cattle belonging to the widow of one
Sino-leton, but really to avenge an ancient feud. Finding himself menaced in his own mansion,
he sallied forth at the head of a band of thirty men, when a regular engagement ensued, in which
Mr. Hoghton and Richard Bawdwen, one of his followers, were left dead on the field. The Earl of
Derby, as lord lieutenant of the county, to vindicate his authority, caused a watch to be instituted
day and night that the offenders might be detected and brought to justice ; and a species of
magisterial assize was appointed to be held at Preston, to inquire into the circumstances of the
riot and murders. The magistrates could only pursue one course, and that was to direct that all
the parties engaged in the homicides should be indicted at the ensuing assizes on a charge of wilful
murder. The Earl of Derby, foreseeing the consequences that would ensue, addressed an earnest
petition to Lord Burghley, the queen's high treasurer, beseeching his lordship to use his influence
to obtain a pardon from the queen, as very many of the ruder sort engaged in the riot could not
read, and being unable to take the benefit of clergy must lose their lives, while those who were of
more distinction must be bvirnt in the hand, and thereby a dangerous quarrel would arise amongst
the gentlemen of the county, of an extent and duration that would involve the most serious
consequences. This application, which was accompanied by a petition from forty-seven of the
offenders for the queen's pardon, and was supported by a petition from the widow of Mr. Hoghton,
seems so far to have prevailed that the murder was compromised by the heir of the deceased
gentleman receiving from the principal offender, as a compensation for his father's death, the
valuable estate and manor of "Walton-le-Dale, the future scene of one of Cromwell's most splendid
victories. Some documents on this subject, characteristic of the times of Elizabeth, will be found
in their proper place in the Hundred history.
In the preceding century a less fatal but more licentious outrage was perpetrated upon one
of the principal families of Lancashire : " On the Monday next after the feast of St. James the
Apostle," as the official documents express it {i.e. July 30, 1436), William Pulle, of Liverpool, in
the county of Lancaster, and of Wyrall, in the county of Chester, gentleman, with a great number
of others, repaired to the house of Isabell, the widow of Sir John Boteler of Bewsey, and feloniously
and most horribly ravished the said widow, and carried her off in a state of nudity, except " her
kirtyll [petticoat] and her smokke," into a wild and desolate part of Wales, for which offence he
was indicted at Lancaster. But of this also more in its proper place.
The loyal conduct of the Catholics, when this country was menaced with invasion, did not
stay the persecutions to which they were exposed. A commission under the great Seal of England
was issued in 1591 for the apprehension and discovery of seminary priests and Jesuits, and for
reducing the recusants to conformity. To give effect to this commission the churchwardens in the
^ Stowe's Ann. p. 747.
CHAP. xiir. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 251
various parishes of Lancashire .yere required to meet the magistrates, and to brin^ with them lists
m writing contaimng the Christian and surnames of all the hou eholders in^thet ~t?ve
parishes both men and women, with all their inmates above the age of sixteen years cerSS
whe her they repaired to the church to hear divine service, that, in case of neglect^ the; SS
dealt with accordingly. The rigorous proceedings against the Catholics, not in this couX onlv
but m the country generally, may be inferred fro^m the facts mentioned brCMonerwhoVaS
that for the vague offences of harbouring priests, or of receiving ordination beyond the seas oi of
admitting the supreniacy of the pope, and denying that of the queen, sixty-one priests forty seven
& ^^P.^" ge/?tle™en suftered capital punishment, bylaws recently enacted, and Sknown
he ancient constitution of the country; and that in one night fifty Catholic gentlemen, in the
county oi Lancaster, were suddenly seized and committed to prison, on account of thdr non!
attendance at church. As a test of their fidelity to the reformed faith, all the justices of the peace
were required openly and publicly to take the oath of supremacy in special sesiions, and an order
from the lords of the queen's coimcil, of the date of the 22nd of October 1592, addressed " To our
IT.r.rT-wr''^! *^^",>^^ ?^,^^^ff ^ Gustos Rotulorum of the County oi Lancaster S^ John
Byron & S^ Edward Fytton, knights, Richard Asheton, Richard Brereton, & Richard Holland
esquiers and to every of them, ' directs that sessions of the peace shall be holden "before the 20th
day of November next, at the accustomed places in the county, at which every iustice of the
peace present shall take the said oath, and that any person having hitherto filled that ofiice, who
shallrefuse or forbear to take the oath, shall be removed out of the commission of the peace • or
any justice oi the peace who does not repair to the church or chapel where the common prayer is
used, or whose wife,_ living with her husband, or son and heir, living in his father's house, or within
the county where his father dwells, refuses or does not usually go to church, the husband or father
ol such recusant shall cease to exercise the office of justice of the peace during the time of such
recusancy. The high sheriff and other persons named in the writ of Dedimus Potestatem are
themselves first reqmred to take the oath, and then to administer it to the justices, saving that
the lords of Parliament are excepted.
The Puritans, at least that part of them called Brownists, who deemed every species of
communion with the Established Church unchristian, fared little better than the Catholics. Five of
them were arraigned in the year 1593, on a charge of writing and publishing seditious libels ; and
though the publishers were spared, Barrow and Greenwood, the writers, were condemned and
executed, notwithstanding their plea that the obnoxious passages were directed against the bishops,
and not against the queen. Penry, the " Martin Marprelate " of Manchester, was sentenced to
death under the provisions of the statute 23 Elizabeth, c. 3, on a pretence that a number of papers,
containing disjointed sentences, intended as a petition to the queen, were treasonable; and to
prevent the populace from interposing any obstacles in the way of his execution, he was suddenly
taken from prison, and hanged at the door of Sir Thomas Waterings. Penry, as previously stated,
was a native of Wales, and his execution gave rise to the following lines : —
" The Welshman is hanged " And tho' he be hanged.
Who at our kirke flanged, Yet he is not wranged ;
And at her state banged. The de'ul has him fanged
And brened are his bucks. In his kruked kluks."
The alarm of Spanish invasion was revived in 1593, and the queen addressed a letter to the
Earl of Derby, as lord lieutenant of the palatine counties of Lancaster and Chester, announcing that
troubles had been stirred up in Ireland, and that it had come to the knowledge of her majesty's
council that certain Spanish ships of war were to be sent, by the way of Scotland, to aid the
insurgents in that country. To repel this invasion, levies were to be made in the different
counties of the kingdom, and the counties of Lancaster and Chester were each required to furnish
one hundred and thirty-eight able men, properly equipped, to proceed to Liverpool or Chester, to
be embarked in that service. To enforce this order, a letter was addressed by the Earl of Derby
to Sir Richard Shirburn, Knt., Richard Hollande, Esq., and the other deputy lieutenants of the
county, in which his lordship was pleased to state, "that her majesty, in her princely wisdom,
having resolved, by God's assistance, to withstand and suppress this wicked force treacherously
brought against her highnesses most excellent and godly government," required that consultation
might be had, and the utmost promptitude used, in carrying the measures into effect. A
subsequent letter from his lordship, dated on the 14th of June in the same year, represents that
"general greffe and mislyke" have been conceived in the county, and not without good cause, if
te is rightly informed, from the manner in which the county has been assessed for the Irish service.
In consequence of these alleged malversations, the magistrates for the hundred of Salford were
» Harl. MSS. cod. 1926, fo. 109 a.
252 . THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiii.
required to assemble at Manchester, and to make out an account of the sums of money which had
been collected in their respeective jurisdictions for this service during the last eight years, in order
that justice might be done to the county. From the nature of this official correspondence, it
■would appear that the alarm of invasion soon subsided,^ for in the month of September in the
same year the lords of the council directed that the beacon watches should be discontinued, and
that the inhabitants of the county of Lancaster should forthwith be discharged from the necessity
of contributing to this service.
At this period of our history the hospitals of Chelsea and Chatham did not exist, neither did
the chests out of which disabled soldiers and mariners, who have served their country, are
relieved ; but unfortunate persons of this description, when they were discharged from the public
service, received a certificate, addressed to the justices of the peace in the counties where they
were born or had been impressed, recommending them to the humane consideration of the
churchwardens and constables. These certificates were given by men high in office, and amongst
others we find one, signed by no fewer than nine members of her majesty's council, in favour of
Nicholas Whittacre, a poor soldier, having done good service and bearing ofiice as a lieutenant in
her majesty's wars, directing that he might receive such benefit from the general collections of the
county of Lancaster, where he was born or impressed, as was given to others of the same
description.^
An event which agitated the county of Lancaster — " the superstitious county of Lancaster " —
in the most extraordinary manner, happened to the head of its principal family soon after the
death of Henry, Earl of Derby, which occurred at Lathom, September 25th, 1594. His son and
successor, Ferdinando, was seized "in the flower of his youth," with a violent sickness, at
Knowsley, on the 4th of April, 1595, which was attributed to witchcraft, both by himself and his
attendants, and of which he died at Lathom House twelve days afterwards. The cause of his death
was inexplicable to his medical attendants. Being inexplicable, it was by them conveniently
assigned to sorcery and witchcraft, and in a report drawn up at the time many absurd stories were
related of the " strange dreams " and "divinations" that preceded his end. Everybody believed
he was either consumed by the witches or poisoned by the Papists; and while his physicians
attributedhis mortal sickness to the former, his chaplain, who had a horror of Popery, was equally
confident in assigning the cause to the wickedness of the latter. The late Dr. Ormerod, in his
prefatory memoirs to the "Tracts Relating to the Military Proceedings of Lancashire," says, though
he gives no evidence in support of the statement, " It is well known that Jesuitical intrigue led to
his death by poison." He is said to have been tampered with by a member of the Hesketh family
to assume the title of king in right of his grandmother. The supposition is that, haviog
indignantly rejected the proposition, he was poisoned by the conspirators.
It appears that this country was visited in the years 1595 and 1596 by a severe dearth,
amounting almost to famine, owing to a succession of unfavourable seasons. In the following year,
the lords of the council issued a letter to the justices of the peace in the county of Lancaster,
congratulating them on the return of plenty ; but at the same time directing them to cause
diligent inquisition to be made in all the divisions of their county for such persons as kept up the
price of provisions, by buying or bargaining for corn or other victuals, except in open market, or
lor their private use, and directing that they should apprehend all engrossers and compel them to
revoke their bargains.
I^ the list of Queen EHzabeth's annual expenses, civil and military, in the year 1598, the
following items occur : —
The County Palatine of Lancaster. £
Cliamberlaine, fee 20
Clerk of the crown, fee .' 40
And his diet when he rides, esteemed ... 40
Clerk of the pleas, fee 40
Clerk of the extreats, fee 20
Barons of the exchequer (2), fee apiece."..' 40
Attorney, fee g
Messenger, fee ' 2
And his riding expenses '.......,..'.
Crier, fee !!!'.!'.]"!!! 2
s.
d.
13
4
The Duchy of Lancaster.
Chancellor, fee and allowance of £4 for £ s. d.
paper, parchment, and ink 140 10
Surveyor, fee 63 13 4
Attorney, fee and allowance 45
Receiver-general, fee and allowance 38 10
Clerk in the court of the duchy, fee and
allowance 27 10 4
Messenger, fee and his charges when he
rideth 40
forces m Cadiz The town ZZIZ^ ^f ^^J" ^''"=™* °^ ^^° ^"SHsh to pay weokUe such sumo of monio towardes the reliefe of sioke, hurte'
thirteen vessels' of war wereT^rf in ?t f l""^ ''"™i i° ^h" S""'«l • a^S maimed souldiera and mariners soe as no Parisho he rated above the
mutated J^ the exreditk,n nttprtv H«J ^"■^^"'^S. ^d tho stores accu- summe of tenne ponce, nor under the sume of two pence weekUe to ta
Wow fsXish fieereatCed^n th/f„11nT^ In spite of this crashing paldo." This Act was confirmed by a decree of the Commonwealth
Zriish co£^t but a! in the c^e of iN n.Trt^ ^"""^ "-f^ ""* "^^ ?"■ ^^° ^"-^ ^Sth, 1647, but the amount collected under its provisions being found
fetfl than The Enriish^n, B^dfhs.'h? "'""■' ''o™^, P'-°™'i mo™ inadequate, owing to the long continuance of the war and the consequent
destroy^ in the Bw of ^So'J m^Ll F% ^^"^^ ,'^'S'''"^, """^ ^'™°^' *°'='''=*="^ '° the number of applicants for relief, an increased rate not to
all parishes withm this Realm of England and Wales shafi be charged ^ ' ^''"— °-
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CHAP. XIII.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
253
At this time the tide of recent triumphs seemed to have taken a turn. In Ireland disorder
had resumed its sway, and a defeat of the English forces in Tyrone led to a general rising of the
northern tribes. The efforts made for the suppression of the rebellion failed through the vanity
and disobedience of the Queen's leutenant, the Earl of Essex, and it soon became'evident tha^
strong measures for the suppression of the revolt must be taken if Ireland was to remain to the
Enghsh crown. _ Fresh levies were_ called for, and in the order for raising men to go to Ireland, in
lo99, the magistrates of Lancashire were cautioned "not to send any vagabonds or disorderly
persons, but men of good character, and particularly young men, who we?e skilled in the use of
the hand gun.
The numerous levies that had been made for the queen's service in Ireland enabled the
English general, Mountjoy, to effect the subjugation of that country, though the rebels so-called
were aided by an mvadmg army of six thousand Spaniards, which had landed at Kinsale. The
new lieutenant, Mountjoy, although without military experience, soon restored obedience to the
English authority. All open opposition was speedily crushed out by his energy and ruthlessness.
A line ot torts secured the country as the English mastered it. Hugh O'Neile, who had roused
Ulster to revolt, Avas made prisoner. A famine, which followed, completed the devastating work
of _ the sword, and eventually the work of conquest was accomplished. But the long and eventful
reign of Elizabeth now drew to a close. The queen, in the midst of all her splendour and success,
fell into a state of irrecoverable melancholy. " She held in her hand," says one who saw her in her
last days, "a golden cup, which she often put to her lips; but in truth her heart seemed too full
to need more filling." Gradually her mind gave way, her memory failed, and at length, at three
o'clock on the morning of the 24th of March, 1603, in the seventieth year of her age, having
bequeathed her crown to her lawful successor, James the Sixth of Scotland, the eldest son of the
unfortunate Mary Queen of Scots, a life so great, yet so lonely in its greatness, ended — the great
Elizabeth passed quietly away — a woman who had reigned like a man, to be succeeded by a man
who reigned like a woman !
Imraediately on the death of the queen a letter was addressed by the lords of the council to
the sheriff of Lancaster (and the other sheriffs) announcing that " As much as it has pleased
God to take out of this life to His mercy our dearly-beloved sovereign Queen Elizabeth, it has
become necessary, for the maintenance of the safety of the realm, forthwith to proclaim James VI.,
King of Scotland, and now James I. King of England, France, and Ireland." For this purpose,
their lordships had sent a proclamation, which the sheriff Avas requested to publish in his County
of Lancaster, and which proclamation announced that the imperial crown had, by the death of
the high and mighty princess Elizabeth, descended on the high and mighty prince, James, lineally
and lawfully descended from the body of Margaret, daughter of the high and renewed prince
Henry VII., King of England, his great grandfather, the said Lady Margaret being the daughter
of Elizabeth, daughter of King Edward IV., by Avhich happy conjunction both the houses ol
York and Lancaster were united, to the joy unspeakable of this kingdom, formerly rent and torn
by the large dissension of bloody and civil Avars.
This proclamation met with a prompt, loyal, and dutiful response from the principal gentry
of the county of Lancaster, to Avhich the folloAving names Avere subscribed : —
John Ireland, Bheri£F
Sr Rychard Mollineux
Sr Rychard Hoghton
Sr Cuthbert Halaall
Sr Edward AVarren
Sr John Radclyffe
Thomas Preston
Francis Tunstall
Bandle Barton
Rychard Holland
Thomas Sothworth
John Osbaldeston
Willm Thorneborrow
George Preston
Edward Tarbuoke
Alexander Standish
James Ashton
John Middleton of Leyton
Willm Farrington
Robt Dalton de Thurnam
Eobt Dalton of Pilling
Roger Bradahaw
Roger Nowell
Nycholas Banister
Mylea Gerrard
Edward Stanley
Barnabie Kitohin
Sr Nycholas Moseley
Thomas AValmysley
Thomas Gerrard
Thomas Langton
John Townley
Richard Sherburne
James Anderton of Lostock
James Anderton of Clayton
Robt Oharnock
Thomas Ashton
Rychard Fleetwood
Henrye Banister
Roger Kirkby
Christopher Carus
John Cansfild
John Calvert
Edmund Fleetwood
Edward Eawstome
AVillm Hvlton
James Browne
Alexander Barlow
John Greenhaugh
Alexander Reddish
Edmund Hopwood
,Tohn Braddill
Thomas Barton
James Westby
John Massye
Edward Norres
Richard Ashton
Rychard Bold
Raufe Ashton
Robt Hesketh
Edward Standish
John Traves
Henry Butler
Edward Rigbie
Edward Langtrie
Robt More
Thomas Tildisley
Thomas Ireland
Alexander Standish
Roger Downes
John Crosse
John AVrightington
Robt Pilkington
Thomas Gidlow
AVillm Chorley
Rychard Ashton
AVillm Clayton
Roger Bradshawe
. ■ AVinstanley
CHAPTEK XIV.
Ancient Manners and Customs of the County-Dress-Domestic Arehitecture-Food-Coaches-Educat.on-The Cliurch-Sporl.
and Pastimes-The Arts-The Laws-Superstition and Witchcraft-King James's First Progress-Lancashire Kmghts-The
Plague-The Gunpowder Plot-Letter to Lord Monteagle-Cecil's Account of the Discovery-Fate of the Conspirators-
Lancashire Baronets-Lancashire Witches-Dr. Dee's Petition-Seer Edward Kelly, the Necromancer-History of Lancashire
Witchcraft-Duchess of Gloucester-The Stanley Family-Satanic Possession-Case of Seven Demoniacs in Mr. Starke's
Family at Cleworth-Dispossessed-The Conjuror Hanged-King James's Da^monologie-Witches of Pendle Forest-
Samlesbury Witches-Second Batch of Pendle Forest Witches-Examination of the Lancashire Witches before the Kmg in
Council-Deposition of Ann Johnson, one of the Reputed Witches-Case of a Lancashire Witch in Worcestershire-Richard
Dugdale, the Lancashire Demoniac-His Possession-Dispossession-Witchcraft Exploded-Progress of King James through
Lancashire-The Book of Sports-Further Honours conferred on Lancashire Men-Letter from King James to Sir Richard
Hoghton, with Autograph-Letter from the King's Council to the Earl of Derby, Lord-lieutenant of Lancashire and
Cheshire.— A.D. 1603 to 1625.
lUEEN ELIZABETH was no sooner consigned to the tomb of her royal progenitors
than her successor, James I., entered upon his progress from Edinburgh, by way
of York, to London. But having now arrived at times comparatively modern,
we shall pause to take a short retrospective view of the ancient manners and
customs of the people of Lancashire, and in some degree of the kingdom in
general, which, on being collated with the customs and manners of modern times,
will often afford instructive lessons, and exhibit by turns striking contrasts and
close resemblances.
From the time of the Norman Conquest the inhabitants of the county of Lancaster have been
much addicted to the chase. The extent of their forests has attached them to this pursuit ; and
their skill in archery, for which they have been famed, both in war and in their sports,' had given
them a taste for the chase, which displayed itself as early as the reign of King John, and was at
its height in the reign of Heniy YIlL The laurels gained on the field of Flodden by the levies
under Sir Edward Stanley were principally owing to their dexterity in the use of the bow and the
bill.- According to Holinshed, the skill of the archers must have been in great request, for, says
he, "the whole countie of Lancaster hath beene forrest heretofore;" but this is an error of the
venerable chronicler, as is shown with sufficient clearness by the domesday survey of William the
Conqueror. It is true that when the Lacies, and the successors of the ducal house of Lancaster,
sported over their vast domain, from the castle of Clitheroe to the castle of Pontefract, the right of
free warren was exercised over all the intervening country without control ; but it is also true that
the tract was studded with towns and villages, more numerous even in the days of John of Gaunt
than in the reign of Henry YIII.^
The nobles of Lancashire, in their baronial halls, were distinguished for their ancient munifi-
cence ; and the successive Barons, Earls, and Dukes of Lancaster set the example for which Edward,
Earl of Derby, the model of hospitality, was celebrated. The knights, the gentry, and the yeomen,
each in their station, were also famed for their hospitality and manly exercises; and Camden,
speaking of the Lancasliire men generally, without distinction of rank, says, " You may determine
the goodness of the country by the temperament of the inhabitants, who are extremely comely."*
The dress of the ladies in the time of the Ferrers, first Earls of Derby, is described as at once
simple and graceful : they were clothed in modest, elegant habits, consisting of a loose gown
girdled round the waist, which reached to the ground, and was surmounted with a veil over the
head. The unmarried ladies were distinguished by an additional robe over the gown, which hung
down before, and resembled the sacerdotal robe. The dress of the men of the higher order was a
flowing robe ; and the common people wore a kind of tunic girt round the loins, which seldom
1 See chap. vll.
' Chap. xii. The English cliiefly depended upon the force of their
Infantry, and the bravery and expertness of the archers, which was as
much relied upon in our ancient warfare as is the charge in tnodern
British tactics. The archers were protected by body armour, the arms
being loft perfectly free ; except when they wore a bllgandine of mail,
which came before them like an apron ; their arms were a long bow, a
sheaf of arrows, a sword, and a small shield. The bill-men, so called
from their weapon, which resembled a small bill, or hooked axe, were
sometimes armed in brigandinos of mall, but at other times they were
scarcely protected at all by armour.
" Description of England in the reign of Elizabeth, written by Wm.
Harrison, and affixed to Holinshed's Chronicles, new edit. p. 324. bee
also chap. vii. of tliis work.
* Britannia, iii. 377.
CHAP. XIV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 255
reached lower than to the knees. Nothing could be more ¥ain and ridiculous than the fashions
which prevailed in the reign of the last sovereign of the Lancaster line, and which seemed to
combine all the fantastical costumes of former reigns. In the reign of Henry VII. there was an
affectation of feminine attire in the men, and the lord chamberlain is described in the Boke of
Kervynge as saying, " Warme your soverayne hys petycote, his doublet, and his stomachere ; and
then put on hys hosen, and then his schone or slyppers, then stryke up his hosen mannerlye, and
tye them up, then lace his doublet hole by hole," &c. Of the garbs of the priests just before the
Protestant Reformation, Harrison, an author of great fidelity, who wrote in that century, says that
" ' They went either in diverse colors like plaiers, or in garments of light hew, as yellow, red, greene, &e., with their shoes piked,
their haire crisped, then- girdles armed with silver ; their shooes, spurres, bridles, &o., buckled with like mettall ; their apparell (for
the most part) of silke, and richlie furred, their cappes laced and buttoned with gold ; so that to meet a priest in those daies, was
to beholde a peacocke that spreadeth his taile when he danseth before the henne.' These clerical beaux must have been the
dignitaries of the church, and not the inferior clergy of the county of Lancaster, who are described by Archbishop Lee as in the
nossession of benefices not yielding them more than four guineas per annum.^ In the reign i
; yielding them more than four guineas per annum.^ In the reign of Elizabeth the dress of the clergy was
more becoming their sacred order, and the showy colours, the 'piked' shoes, and the glittering girdles, were discarded. The head-
dress of the laity was as various as the cut of their beards, 'which were sometimes shaven from the chin like those of Turks,
sometimes cut short like the beard of marques Otto, sometimes made round like a rubbing brush, other with s. pique devnnt ; and
now and then suffered to grow long.' As the men imitated the fashions of the women, so did the women imitate the fashions of
the men, to a degree offensive alike to good taste and to modesty ; and Harrison, in describing the ladies of the ion in his days,
says 'Thus it is now come to pass, that women are become men, and men are transformed into monsters.' Handle Holme, one of
our county collectors, says that, about the fortieth year of Elizabeth (1598), the old fashions, which were used iu the beginning of
her reign, were again revived, with some few additions made thereto, as guises, double ruffs, &o. The men likewise, besides the
double use of the cloak, had a certain kind of loose hanging garment, called a maiideville, much like to our old jackets or jumps,
but without sleeves, only having holes to put the arms through ; yet some were made with sleeves, but for no other use than to
hang on the back. Early in the reign of Elizabeth, the wearing of great breeches was carried to a very absurd and ridiculous length,
together with the peas-cod doublets, as they were called. These slops, or breeches, or trunk-hose, it was their custom to stuff with
rags or such like materials, till they brought them to an enormous size — so enormous that it was deemed necessary to legislate for
their regulation. The legislators themselves, however, seem to have fallen into the same absurdity ; for in the Harleian Collection,
No. 980, a paper is preserved, from which it appears that in the reign of Elizabeth a scaffold was erected round the inside of the
House of Commons, for those members to sit in who used the wearing of great breeches stuffed with hair, and bulging out like
woolsacks. Bulver, in his pedigree of the ' English Gallant,' speaks of a man whom the judges accused of wearing breeches contrary
to the law when he, for his excuse, drew out of his slops the contents — ' as, first, a pair of sheets, two table-cloths, ten napkins,
four shirts' a brush, a glass, a comb, with night-caps,' and other useful articles. The ladies, that they might not be outdone in
grotesqueness of attire, invented the large hoop farthingales as a companion to the trunk-hose, and the women who could not
purchase these expensive commodities supplied their place with bum-rolls."
The description of a fine lady's dress in the time of Queen Elizabeth, as breathed in the wishes
of Miss Margaret Hardman, while she was under the influence oi possession (apparently by a spirit
of pride), in the house of Mr. Nicholas Starkie, of Leigh, in the county of Lancaster, is too graphic
to be withheld : —
" 'Come on my lad ' said she, for so she called her f amniar— ' come on, and set my partlett on the one side, as I do the other. I
will have a fine smock of silk, with a silk petticoat garded a foot high ; it shall be laid with good lace, it shall have a French body,
not of whalebone, for that is not stiff enough, but of home, for that will hold it out ; it shall come low before to keep m my belly.
I will have a French farthingale ; I will have it low before and high behind, and broad on either side, that I may lay my arms
UDon it Mv gown shall be black wrought velvet ; I will have my sleeves set out with wire, for sticks will break, and are not stiff
ujjuii ii/. aiij 6_ _ _ ^ °i,__ . T „,:n !,„„„ „„ nor, nf WunV ifplvpf With fl. fpa.t.hfir in it with flewes of ffold. and mv
enough. 1
hair shall
wrought st
cork ihoes of red Spanish leather. I will have a scarf ot red SUK, wim a goia jacs auuuo .uc cug^. x „.., ..^,c=„.»^ ...... a, .......
rteel and a elass set in it. Bring me a pair of gloves of the finest leather that may be, with two gold laces about the thumb, and a
fringe on the top, with flewes and red silk underneath, that I may draw them through a gold nng, or else I will have none of
them/ " ^
The general diffusion of wealth in Elizabeth's reign led to an ostentatious display of luxury that
spread by the force of the imitative principle through every class of society, and the pride of apparel
was scarcelv less obtrusive in men than in women. The sumptuary laws which were passed m the
^Zn7%nnYS^Iow^^^^ "the subversion of good and politic order m knowledge and
distrnction of people, according to their estates, pre-eminences, dignities, and degrees, had ceased
to be rerrded Th^se who were gaining wealth by manufacture, and trade, an^ industry, refused
to be bound by statute as to what they should and what they should not wear, and the queen and
L councn w4ly iSt th regulation of such matters to the tastes of the people and their ability
*° ^ When W James came to the crown, most of the old fashions used in the days of Elizabeth
werelgain revif edTnd ZLge breeches with the hoop farthingales amongst the res came once
ToreTnto IslTon ' Expensive^ garters and curious shoe-roses were worn very generally, and the
ladies kept pace with the other sex in ^fXZT^Tl. show well, an We the fashion for the garters to be
"In the comedy of the 'City Madam, a fj «ays, T^^se roses wo ^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^^^ ^^^ ^^^^ ^^ ^ ^^^^^
seen.' But of all the ridiculous fashions, that of the ^^^ f j'^'^'^f^ „f ^.^hjon of a much more recent period. The manufacturers
when so equipped, may be supposed to have ^.^fj^^^^f^^f °^^^^^^^^^ of Newbury is thus described : ' She came out of the
were not much behind the courtiers, and the opulent ciotniers w ^ j_ _
1 See chap. xii. p. 2(U, note 3.
= Tract of the Bev. Geo. More, published in 1600. ' 24 Henry VIII., c. 13.-C.
? ? ?
256 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiv.
kitchen in a fair train gown, stuck full o£ silver pins ; a white cap on her head, with cuts of curious needlework under the same,
and an apron before her as white as the driven snow ;' while the spruce master tailor, her suitor, wore 'a new russet jerkin, and a
tall sugar-loaf hat clapped on the side of his head.' The spinning or factory girls of that day are thus described ; —
" ' And in a chamber close beside
Two hundred maidens did abide.
In petticoats of flannel red.
And milk-white kerchers on their head,
Their smock sleeves like to winter's snow,
That on the western mountains flow,
And each sleeve with a silken band
Was fairly tied at the hand.
Which pretty maids did never lin,
But in that place all day did spin,' " &c.
The young gentleman was distinguished by his gay suit of apparel, his cloak, and rapier ; the merchant's dress at that time
was a plain grave suit of clothes, with a black cloak ; and the rustic, when in his Sunday attire, had a leathern doublet with lono'
points, and a pair of breeches primed up like pudding-bags, with yellow stockings and his hat turned up with a silver clasp on the
leer aide.^ These fashions were not confined to any particular district, they extended to the whole kingdom. ' The manners and
customs of the inhabitants of Lancashire,' says John De Brentford, 'are similar to those of the neighbouring counties, except that
the people eat with two-pronged forks. The men are masculine, and in general well made ; they ride and hunt the same as in the
most southern parts, but not with that grace, owing to the whip being carried in the left hand. The women are most handsome
their eyes brown, black, hazel, blue, or grey ; their noses, if not inclined to the aquiline, are mostly of the Grecian form, which
gives a most beautiful archness to the countenance, such indeed as is not easy to be described. Their fascinating manners have long
procured them the name of Lancashire Witches' ^ Leiand says, ' The dress of the men chiefly consists of woollen garments while
the women wear those of silk, linen, or stuff. Their usual colours are green, blue, black, and sometimes brown. The military are
dressed in red, which is vulgarly called scarlet.' According to Randle Holme, hats were not used in Lancashire, nor indeed ia
England, till the time of Charles II. This is obvionsly a chronological mistake. The hatting business existed in the south-east part
of this county in the time of Henry VI., and probably much earlier, as we have a petition to Parliament in that reign from the
hatters, complaining of the introduction of machinery into their business, and representing that ' hats, caps, &c., were wont' to be
fulled by manual labour ; but that, of late, fulling-mills had been introduced, to efiect this operation, to the prejudice of the
workmen, and the deterioration of the fabric. Silk stockings were not worn till the year 1560, when Queen Elizabeth, on being
presented with a pair made by Mrs. Montague, her silk woman, as a Kew Year's gift, declared that she hked them so well that she
would not wear any more cloth hose,^ which persons of the highest distinction had hitherto worn."
In the reign of Elizabeth there were few houses of stone in the county of Lancaster except
those of the nobility and the highest rank of gentry. The houses of the middle and lower class
were principally built with wood. Those of the better order had large porches at, the principal
entrance, with halls and parlours ; the framework was constructed with beams of timber of such
enormous size that the materials of one house, as they were then built, would make several of
equal size in the present mode of building. The common method of making walls was to nail laths
to the timber frame, and strike them over with rough (clay) plaster, which was afterwards whitened
with fine mortar, and this last was after beautified with figures and other curious devices.* Some
had houses built with bricks, but these were rare, and of modern date. The inner walls were
either hung with tapestry, arras- work, or painted cloth, whereon were different devices, or they
were wainscoted with oak, and in that way made warm and ornamental. The cottages of the poor
were shghtly set up with a few posts, and plastered over with clay, not very dissimilar to the rustic
cottages of the present day. The houses in the cities and towns were built each story jutting
over that beneath it, so that where the streets were not wide the people in the top storeys, from
opposite houses, might not only converse with each other, but even shake hands too'ether' The
houses were covered with tiles, shingles, slates, or lead. The streets of Manchester, Preston,
Liverpool, and other towns of the county were unpaved, and were generally narrow, the smallness
ot the carriages and the diminutive intercourse not requiring spacious streets. At the period of
the wars between the houses of York and Lancaster, the windows principally consisted of lattice or
wicker work and sometimes of panes of horn; but in the reign of Elizabeth glass had become
p entitul and was generally used in small squares set in lead. A still further improvement took
place in the buildings about this period. Till the time of Henry YIII. the houses were generally
erected without chimneys; and m many of the first towns of the realm not more than two or
three chimneys were to be seen, the fires being made in a recess in the wall, where the family
dressed their victuals, and left the smoke to make its escape as it does at present out of the Irish
cabins Valleys were generally preferred for the sites of towns and villages, the buildings in the
ear y times of Britain being mostly of a construction too slight to encounter the boisterous elements
of the climate to which they were exposed. The outbuildings, such as the dairy, stables, and
brewhouse attached to the mansions, were at a little distance iW the house, and yet sufficiently
near, says Harrison, " that the goodman lieng in his bed may lightlie heare what is donne in each
of them with ease and call quicklie vnto his meinie if anie danger should attack him "
ihe houses ot the great and opulent possessed much the same character, but in Lancashire a
^ BoS'i^tctifnTS! '''' ^™'°'"' "' "^^ ^"^"»''' "'■ ''■ : S^-;^ chronicle fo, 867 .
' • Harrison s Description of Britain,
CHAP. XIV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
257
style of architecture prevailed, remarkable for massiveness, and which, if not peculiar to the
county, was nowhere else_ practised so commonly or on so large a scale. The great difference
between_ the timber mansions of Lancashire and those of other parts of the kingdom were that
whiie using a material common to all, the former were distinguished by their extravagant soliditv
and their strength and ingenuity of construction. The timbers were more commonly exposed on
the outside than in the case of houses in the southern counties, and the ponderous framework
than which stone itself could not longer be expected to resist time, or more firmly withstand the
stroke of injury, with the massive bracing ribs and panels wrought in the semblance of tracery,
exhibited a rude magnificence that, if lacking the delicacy and elaboration of detail observable in
the more stately fabrics of brick and stone erected in other parts of the kingdom, are yet deserving
the careful investigation of the architect and antiquary. Of the many picturesque halls and
manor houses erected during the Tudor reigns, many excellent examples fortunately still remain
comparatively uninjured. The cencre and most important feature of such houses was the great hall,
and on it the disposition of the other apartments mainly depended. Here the general business of
the household was transacted, and what may be called the public life of the family was carried on.
It was the general rendezvous of the servants and retainers, who lounged about when duty or
pleasure did iiot call them to other oflSces or to the field. In it the lord of the soil held his court
by day, and his male servants and men-at-arms stretched themselves and slept, how they could, on
the rush-covered floor at night. The walls of the apartment were hung with armour, pistols and
petronels, swords and spears, and other implements of warfare. The screen and the "musycians"
gallery were garnished with the antlers of the deer and other trophies of the chase, and in the
more opulent houses the upper end was draped with tapestry of elaborate design. Before the
spread of refinement had necessitated the addition of a private room, where the more honoured
guests could be entertained apart from the clatter of the throng, the great hall was the place where
all had their meals together. Round the " hie-board " or " table dormant" on the dais, assembled
daily the family and guests, placed according to their rank above the salt, whilst the retainers, and
those of inferior degree, sat at the benches, placed mostly on trestles, and ranged "banquet-wise"
along each side of the apartment. Dinner was then, as now, the principal meal of the day, and in
the better houses was usually conducted with much ceremony, and certain well-established rules of
courtesy were strictly observed. Our forefathers were by no means insensible to the pleasures of
the table. The family usually assembled about ten o'clock, and, unless called upon by urgent
matters to the field or the council, dinner was enjoyed with leisurely deliberation. The parlours
and private dining-rooms were fitted up with more regard for elegance, and were more luxuriously
furnished than the banqueting hall : the floors were carpeted, and the chairs, stools, and other
articles of furniture, were often adorned with coverings of needlework. The dormitories had their
complement of truckle beds and ponderous " four-posters," and in addition there were arks, and
coffers, and presses, wrought in oak and carved elaborately.
While the upper classes were living in the full enjoyment of their wealth, the thrifty
manufacturers in the prosperous inland towns were accumulating riches, becoming themselves
small landowners, and by their enterprise establishing a new world of commercial energy ; but,
though trade increased, and their gains were large, it was long before refinement and luxury found
their way into their dwelling-places, and in their habits and education they were little removed
from the common people, who were ignorant and superstitious, but as merry and boisterous
as they were illiterate and rude.
In the time of Edward I. orchards and gardens were much m use, but they afterwards grew
into neglect, so that from John of Gaunt's days to the end of the reign of Henry VII. little
attention was paid to these delightful and ornamental appendages to the gentlemen's mansions.
This was owmg to herbs, fruits, and roots being little in use for the purpose of human food ; but m
the beginnino- of the reign of Henry VIII. not only the poor but the rich began to use melons,
radishes, skirrets, parsnips, carrots, cabbages, turnips, and salad herbs, the latter of which were
served as delicacies at the tables of the nobility, gentry, and merchants. Hops in times past had
been plentiful, but they also grew into disuse, and the cultivation of them was neglected till a tew
years before the Reformation, when they were imported from the Low Countries;' and hence the
couplet —
"Hops, Reformation, Bays, and Beer
Came into England all in a year ; "
■ T, i. _^ J fi ■, CO. „»!,.,. wtWshavina-OTOTiouBlv beer was either imported from abroad or brewed by foreigners, a supposi-
• Hops were not imported untlll524, other bitters having proTiouBiy u^ certainly supported by the Promptorium. "The manifold
supplied their place, but it is evident that as early as 1440, wh^n the «™,;f ?,' ^ops," says In ancient writer, "do manifestly argue the
Parvulorum PrmrptnHum was compiled, their use ^.^.J^°\.^}':e^^l^ who Isomeness of iar above ak."-C.
unknown, though Mr. Albert Way is of opinion that at that time hopped wnoieouuic*
34
258 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiv.
or, as another ancient rhyme expresses it —
"Turkeys, Carps, Hops, Piccarel, and Beer
Came into England all in one year."
Ale, a thick, sweet, unhopped liquor, however, had been drunk in England long before, and was a
favourite beverage amongst the working classes, when they were all good Catholics. The number
of fasts in Catholic times somewhat diminished the consumption of flesh-meat, which would
otherwise, as the sustenance of the people was chiefly animal food and milk, have been very great ;
but when it became lawful for every man to feed upon what he was able to purchase, except upon
the weekly fast-days, which were observed by all long after the Reformation, it was necessary to
resort to herbs, roots, and bread, to diminish the consumption of cattle.
" In number of dishes and change of meat, the nobilitie of England," says Harrison, " doo most exceed, sith there is no
dale in maner that passeth over their heads, wherein they have not onelie bdefe, mutton, veale, lambe, kid, porke, conie, capon,
pig, or so manie of these as the season yieldeth ; but also some portion of the red or fallowe d^er, beside great varietie of fish and
wild foule, and sundrie other delicacies. The chiefe part of their daily provision is brought in before them (commonlie) in siluer
vessell, if they be of the degree of barons, bishops, and vpwards, and placed on their tables, whereof, when they haue taken what
it pleaseth them, the rest is reserued, and afterwards sente downe to their seruing men and waiters, who feed thereon in like sort
with conuenient moderation, and their feuersion also being bestowed vpon the poore, which lie readie at their gates in great
numbers to receiue the same."
This species of hospitality prevailed to a vast extent at Lathom House and Knowsley, in the
time of Edward, Earl of Derby ; and the bishop of the diocese. Dr. Downham, entertained every
day forty persons, besides comers and goers.^ To guard against intemperance each guest at the
table of his noble host called for a cup of such liquor as he preferred, which, when he had satisfied
himself, he returned to the servant.
" By this device," says our author, " much idle tijiling is cut off, for if the full pot should continuallie stand at the elbow or
near the trencher, diuers would alwaies be dealing with it, whereas now they drinke seldome and onelie when necessitie urgeth, and
so auoid the note of great drinking, or often troubling of the seruitours with filling of their bols. Neuerthelesse, in the noblemen's
hals this order is not vsed, neither in any man's house commoulie vnder the degree of a knight or esquire of great reuenues. The
gentlemen and merchants keepe much about one rate, and each of them contenteth himselte with foure, fiue, or six dishes, when
they haue small resort, or perad venture with one or two, or thr^e at the most, when they haue no sti angers to accompanie them at
their tables."
Before the suppression of the monasteries the heads of the two religious houses of Furness and
Whalley were the most important personages in the county. Their establishments were maintained
with regal splendour, and each had a retinue of servants that a prince might envjr. The Stanleys
Avere their great rivals in magnificence and the display of sumptuous hospitality The records of
Furness, the chartulary of Whalley, and the household books of the Earls of Derby, reveal the
magnitude of their domestic establishments, and furnish a vivid picture of the condition of life
and the profusion and rude magnificence that prevailed in the households of the great. The head
of the great Cistercian house at Furness lived in a state of lordly ease. In addition to his great
monastery at Beakansgill, he had his "spacious hall" in Lonsdale, his "stately grange" in Craven,
and his " great inn " at York. The retinue of the Abbot of Whalley included ninety servants, who
were tabled in the house ; but the Earl of Derby surpassed them both, for it appears from the
"checkrowle" of his establishment that, in 1.587, "Mr. Steward," "Mr. Comptrowler,'' and "Mr.
Receiver" had each three servants, seven "gentlemen waiters" had one servant each, and " Sir"
Gilbert Townley, the chaplain, had one also. There were in the earl's retinue, in addition, nineteen
" yeomen ushers,"^ six " grooms of the chamber," two " sub-grooms," thirteen " yeomen waiters,"
two "trumpeters," besides inferior servants, making in all, one hundred and eighteen persons,
among them being " y« foole," to provoke mirth, and' a " conjuror," to cast out devils. The tables
of each were supplied with game and venison, and with every delicacy that could be procured.
The consumption of animal food was enormous, and laymen and ecclesiastics seemed to have rivalled
each other in the extent of their libations. Ale and beer were the common beverages. The Earl
of Derby provided fifteen hogsheads every Aveek, and in addition, it is said, thirteen and a half
tuns of wine were drank at Lathom in one year ; while at Whalley eight pipes of red wine a year
were consumed, besides much larger quantities of what, in the chartulary, are called "sweet
wines." Inthe houses of the knights and lesser gentry, though carried out upon a smaller scale,
the same spirit of profuseness and lavish hospitality was maintained.
The potato,_though now so familiar, especially in Lancashire, was not then known in England,
except as a foreign root obtained with much difficulty and cost, and therefore the more desired.
Ihewme most m estimation was called theologicum, because it was had from the clergy and
religious men, whose cellars were well replenished. March beer was also much esteemed at the
tables of the nobility and gentry, but it was required to be at least a year old. The household ale
was not drunk till after it bad been brewed a month.
♦ Chap, xiii, p. 224.
CHAP. XIV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 259
The artificers and husbandmen had their festivities, as well as their betters, " especialUe," says Harrison, " at Bridales [i.e.
Bride Ales], punfacations of women, and snch odd meetings, where it is incredible to tell what meat is consumed and spent, ech one
bringmg such a dish, or so many, with him, as his wife and he doo consult vpon, but alwaies with this consideration, that the l&fr
freend shall haue the better prouisiou. This also is commonlie sfene at their bankets, that the good man of the house is not charged
with anything saumg bread, drmk, sauce, houseroome and fire. But the artificers in cities and good townes deale far otherwise, for
albeit that some of them doo suffer their laws to go before their clawes, and diuers of them making good cheer doo hinder themselves
and other men ; yet the wiser sort can handle the matter well enough in these iunkettiugs, and therefore their frugalitie deserueth
commendation. Both the artificer and the husbandman are suf&cientlie liberall and verie friendlie at their tables, and when they
m&te, they ai-e so merry without malice, and plaine without inward Italian or French craft and subtiltie, that it would doo a man
good to be in companie among them." ^
The more opulent classes generally used wheaten bread at their own tables, while their
household and poor neighbours were forced to content themselves with rye or barley, and in times
of scarcity with beans, peas, or oaten bread, the latter of which was then in general use amongst
the middle and lower classes in Lancashire and in Yorkshire, and is by no means entirely banished
from these counties in the present day. According to the same authority the difference between
summer and winter wheat was not known in his time by the husbandmen in many counties ; but
in the north, about Kendal, and we presume about Lancaster also, the spring wheat was cultivated,
and called March wheat. In Elizabeth's time the practice of sitting long at meals grew into disuse,
and two meals a day, dinner and supper, were thought sufficient. The nobility, gentry, and
students usually dined at eleven o'clock in the forenoon, and supped between five and six o'clock
in the afternoon. The merchants seldom dined before twelve at noon, and supped at six at night.
The husbandmen and artisans dined at high noon, as they called it, and supped at seven or eight.
In the universities the students, out of term-time, dined at ten o'clock in the morning.
In those early days, when coffee and tea, with various other slops, were unknown, or not used
in England, it was no uncommon thing for the chief lords and ladies of the court to breakfast, as
we have already shown," upon a fine beefsteak and a cup of ale, and that at eight o'clock in the
morning; and that the hour of supper was early in Queen Mary's time may be inferred from
Weston's promise to Bradford, the Lancashire martyr, that he would see the queen, and speak to
her on his behalf after supper ; but, adds he, " it is to be thought that the queen has almost
supped at present, for it is past six of the clock." In the reign of King James early hours were
still kept by people of quaUty, for we learn from the king's history of the " Powder Plot," that
the letter cautioning Lord Monteagle against going to Parliament was delivered in the evening,
between six and seven o'clock, when his lordship was just going to supper.
During the wars of the Roses, the domestic accommodations of the people in this and the other
counties of the kingdom were as scanty and deficient as their historical records.
"There are," says Harrison, ''old men dwelling in the village where I remaine, which have noted three things to be marvel-
lousUe altered in England within their sound remembrance : One is, the multitude of chimnies latelie erected, whereas m their
yoong dales there were not above two or three, if so manie, in most vplandish townes of the realme (the religious houses and manour
places of their lords alwaies excepted, and peraduenture some great personages), but ech one made his fire against a reredosse in the
hall, where he dined and dressed his meat. The second is the great (although not generall) amendment of lodging for (said they)
our fathers (yea and we our selues also) haue lien full oft vpon straw pallets, on rough mats couered onelie with a shdet vnder oouer-
lets made of dagswam or hopharlots (I vse their owne termes) and a good round log vnder their heads in steed of a bolster or pillow.
If it were so that our fathers, or the goodman of the house, had within seven yeares after his marriage purchased a matteres or
flockbed, and thereto a sacke of chaffe to rest his head vpon, he thought himself e to be as well lodged as the lorde of the town e,
that peraduenture laie seldome in a bed of downe or whole fethers ; so well were they contented, and with such base kind of furni-
ture f which, also, is not verie much amended as yet in some parts of Bedfordshire and elsewhere further ofi_ from our southerne
parts PiUowes (said they) were thought mfete onelie for women in childbed. As for seruants, if they had an.e sheet aboue them,
it was well, for seldome had they anie vnder their bodies, to keepe them from the pricking straws that ran of t through the canun
of the nallet and rased their hardened hides. The third thing they tell of, is the exchange of vessell, as of treene platters into
?ewt,l?wooden spines inl^s^ or tin. For so common'were all sorts of treene stufie in dd time that man should hardlie
Ll foure neeces of pewter (of which one was peraduenture a salt in a good farmer s house and yet for all this frugalitie (if it may
^L illy oaHed)trey were slarce able to hue and paie their rents at their dales without selling of a cow, or an horse, or more,
although they paide but foure pounds at the vttermost by the yeare.
On the union of the houses of York and Lancaster, under the prudent government of Hemy
VII the degrading and impoverishing feudal system having been vn-tually abolished,^ the condi-
tion of all cksses began to improve ;°and in the reign of Elizabeth they attained to comparative
opulence, as would appear from the same authority.
< m, , . r y. '< ^A^ ^„r. onHior '' »1ro pxcecdetb, and is growne in maner euen to passing delicacie ; and herein
"The furniture of o"^ houses, adds our author ^;° ^^^^f ^^^^j^^^^^ f^^. Certes in noble men's houses it is not rare to see
I doo not speake of the nobihtie ^'^'i Sentne onhe but likewi^^^^^ ^^ furnish sundrie cupbords to the summe
abundance of Arras, rich bangmgs of tep^tne, sUuer 7^f f^^'^"^"Xreby the valie of this and the rest of their stuff's dooth grow to
oftentimes of a thousand or two '•^.""^"'^ P°"°f '/ w^^^^^^ merchantmen, and some other wealthie citizens, it is not
be almost inestimable. Likewise in the '^""f ^^ ° .^ of tapistrk Turkie worke, pewter, brasse, fine linen, and thereto costlie
geson [rare] to behold generallie their great prouision ot tapistri e, lurKie . p , ^ ^
I T »r„i WiTiHmen we have none ; and if any como hither, so soon as they set foot on
■ Description of England. /tVi^v^Somero free oFcondition as their masters. "-Z)«rij)(ioii of Englcnd in ElizahctlC! Time.
" See chap. xiii. p. ISl. lana uiey
260 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiv.
cupbords of plate worth five or six huadred or a thousand pounds, to be deemed by estimation. But as herein all these sortsdoo
far exceed their elders and predecessors, and in neatness and curiositie, the merchant all other ; so in time past the costlie f arniture
staled there, whereas now it is descended yet lower, euen Ynto the inferiour artificers and manie farmers, who, by vertue of their old
and not of their new leases, haue for the most part learned also to garnish their cupbords with plate, their iomed beds with tapistrie
and silke hangings, and their tables with carpets and fine naperie, whereby the wealth of our countrie dooth infinitelie appear."
Formerly the accommodation at the principal inns, even in the towns, was very deficient, but
in the time of Elizabeth tlrey had so much improved as to become great and sumptuous ; and
Holinshed, in his Itinerary from Cockermouth to London, enumerates amongst these places Kendale,
Burton, Lancaster, Preston, Wigan, and Warrington, where the inns Avere well furnished with
" napierie, bedding, and tapisserie. Each commer," says he, " is sure to lie in cleane sheets
wherein no man hath been lodged since they came from the landresse. If the traueller haue an
horse his bed dooth cost him nothing, but if he go on foot he is sure to paie a penie for the same ;
but whether he be horseman or foote, if his chamber be once appointed, he may carie the kaie with
him, as of his owne house, so long as he lodgeth there." It appears, however, that he was subject
to great impositions at these plausible houses of entertainment, and if he was not upon his guard,
his " budget " would be pillaged both by his host and by the servants. The penny for the lodging,
when the comparative value of money is considered, was pretty much the same in amount in the
time of Elizabeth as that which is now paid by travellers for similar accommodation at respectable
inns. Henry VIII., indeed, had debased the coinage so much as to unsettle its value but Elizabeth
restored it by utterly abolishing the use of copper coin, which she made into cannon, and using
only silver even in her halfpence and farthings, and silver groats were as common in her day as
silver shillings are in ours.
Before the Reformation education had made but little progress. When the first of the Tudor
sovereigns ascended the throne there was not a single public school from one end of the county to
the other ; and had Shakspeare's Jack Cade been then living, he would have had no cause to
reproach the Lancashire men, as he did Lord Say, with havmg " most traitorously corrupted
the youth of the realm in erecting a grammar school." When the Reformation had been
accomplished only three such schools had been founded — Farnworth in 1507, Manchester in
151.5, and Warrington in 1526 — but before the close of Elizabeth's reign the number had been
increased to twenty-four. For the boy of " pregnant wit," as Hugh Oldham, the founder of the
Manchester school phrased it, there were the schools attached to the monasteries, where he might
obtain some kind of learning, better or worse, and be trained for the priesthood ; but those of the
middle class had little chance, unless they had the good fortune to be admitted to the houses of the
nobles and better born, when, with the younger members of the family, they might receive scholastic
teaching from a properly-appointed teacher, and be fitted for the Universities. As a consequence
there were. few of the trading classes in the towns who could read, and still fewer who could write.
Colonel Fishwick, in his " History of Kirkham," tells us that, so late as Elizabeth's reign, of the
thirty sworn men who had control of the affairs of that parish only one could write, and that when
he failed to attend the meetings the business had to be suspended.
The religious condition of the people, both before and after the Reformation, was little better.
The parochial clergy were few, and their parishes were extensive, justifying to some extent the
remark which Fuller made a century later, that "some clergymen, who have consulted God's
honour with their own credit and profits, could not better desire for themselves than to have a
Lincolnshire church as best built, a Lancashire parish as largest bounded, and a London audience
as consistmg of the most intelligent people." The heads of religious houses had succeeded in
obtaining for themselves the larger portion of the rectorial endowments, and consequently the
parishes were left to the spiritual care of vicars, generally men of little learning, who were willing
to accept the small tithes as a miserable means of subsistence. The "parson" of Wio-an was a
great man in his way, and it is recorded that on one occasion, at his house in London, "he feasted
two kings a,nd two queens, with their attendants, seven hundred messes of meat scarce serving for
tiie first dinner." But with the exception of the Rectors of Wigan and Winwick the Vicar of
Rochdale and the Warden of Manchester, there were few of the parochial clergy who were not
rude and illiterate, and sprung from the lowest of the people.
After the Reformation the condition of things was but little better, and the state of the clergy
was positively worse. James Pilkington, the first reformed Bishop of Durham, a Lancashire man, on
visiting his ancestral home at Rivington, found the state of things in the county so deplorable that
he m lo64 addressed a letter of remonstrance to Archbishop Parker, who was patron and rector of the
three large parishes of Rochdale, Blackburn, and Whalley. "Your cures," said the Bishop "all,
except Rochdale, be as far out of order as the worst in all the country. The old Vicar of Black-
burn resigned for a pension, and now liveth with Sir John Biron. Whalley hath as ill a vicar as
CHAP. XIV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 261
the worst. And there is one come thitherto that hath been deprived or changed his name, and
now teacheth school there ; of evil to make them worse. If your grace's officers Ust, they might
amend many things. I speak this," he adds, " for the amendment of the country, and that your
grace's parishes might be better spoken of and ordered." The state of the church was lamentable.
The Archbishop of York had covenanted with Downham, the Bishop of Chester, a man not over-
burdened with scruples of any kind, for the visitation of the diocese ; and Downham, good easy
man, was content to receive the visitation fees, which were collected for him by a deputy. The
Vicar of Rochdale was an avowed Papist, who kept out of the way, and retained a deputy to
officiate for him. The Vicar of Blackburn eventually resigned on account of his ignorance, and the
" ill vicar " of V^halley, as Pilkington designated him, is said to have been a man of low habits,
loose morals, and so little learned that he was unable to read intelligibly. In the chapelries the
complaint of ignorance, drunkenness, and licentiousness was general. The Curate of Stretford, in
Manchester_ parish, kept_ an alehouse ; his neighbour, the lector or reader of Chorlton, eked out a
scanty subsistence by doing a little pawnbroking privately, but happening to be found out he was
required to pay two shillings to the poor's box as the penalty for his offence ; and Colonel Fishwick,
in his "History of Kirkham," tells us that the Curate of Singleton, in that parish, was presented
for, among other things, that " There is not servyce done in due tyme. He kepeth no hous nor
releveth the poore. He is not dyligent in visitinge the sycke. He doth not teach the catechisme.
There is no sermons. He churcheth fornycatours without doinge any penaunce. He maketh a
dongehill in the chapell yeard, and," to crown his delinquencies, " he hath lately kepte a typlinge
hous and a nowty woman in it."'
The endoAvments of these small chapelries were very inadequate, many of the benefices being
worth no more than £4 or £5 a year. The Curate of Blackley, near Manchester, when prosecuted,
in 1581, for teaching without a licence, pleaded poverty, and affirmed that his stipend was only
£2 3s. 4d. a year ; the Vicar of Rochdale paid the " preste " of his chapel of Saddle worth £3 every
half year, and thought he had done handsomely ; while many had to depend on the voluntary
principle, and be content with the small offerings of their respective flocks. In many other places
the clergy were equally ill-paid and the people as badly served — a condition of things that justified
the commissioners in reporting to the Privy Council, in 1591, that in Lancashire the people " lack
instruction, for the preachers are few. Most of the parsons are unlearned, many of those learned
not resident, and divers unlearned daily admitted into good benefices." The churches on Sundays
and holy days are reported as " being empty," and, it is added, what will hardly excite surprise,
that there are " multitudes of bastards and drunkards," that " people swarm in the streets and ale-
houses during service time," and there are "many lusty vagabonds."
With such laxity in the church it is no wonder that immorality should have prevailed to a large
extent among the people, the masses of whom, it is to be feared, were neither very refined nor very
virtuous. Delighting in cruel sports, such as bull-baiting and bear-baiting, and given to all manner
of unlawful gaming, lewdness, and boisterous revelry, the alehouses, to which the more dissolute
resorted, and they were innumerable, were the scenes of riots and feuds, which not only caused
annoyance and scandal to the more well-disposed, but endangered the public peace to a greater
degree than we can now easily conceive, and in the interests of morality it became necessary for
those in authority to suppress by all lawful means such disorderly proceedings, and to punish all
itinerant bearwards, vagrants, and other such disorderly persons. In August, 1585, the magistrates
of Lancashire passed a series of resolutions respecting the government of alehouses, the principal
of which were that no alehouse should be kept without a licence being first obtained at the quarter
sessions a rule not before observed. No ale was allowed to be sold for more than one penny for a
quart '" Rogues and valiant beggars," and " strange beggars of forren shires," were forbidden to
exercise their vocation in the county, and warning to this effect Avas to be " geven open ie_ in all
parish churches" within the county; and none were to have license to beg except m their own
hundred, and none were to use " begginge" who were able to work. No icences were henceforth
to be granted for begging except at the general quarter sessions, in order that the Edie Ochiltrees
of Lancashire might be restrained, if not suppressed. ^ ,. , ^ . , . ^ , , , • ,
The sports and pastimes of our ancestors consisted of hawking, hunting, and archery, to which
the nobles added the jousts and tournaments; theatrical amusements of -various kinds and music
were also in vo^^ue, to which the rustics added bull-baitmg and bear-baiting, with their various
gambols at the wakes and fairs. The theatrical performances consisted of sacred mysteries derived
from the Holy Scriptures, of comedies, and of masques, which prevailed in the time of Elizabeth
when Shakspere lived, and in the times of James 1., when Ben Jonson composed his celebrated
masques for the royal amusement. Up to this time the players were deemed vagrants, and m 6
1 Chester Presentments -^i York quoted in Fishwiok'a HMory of Kirkham, pp. 45-6. -C.
262 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiv.
Edward III. (1332), it was ordained by Parliament that they should be whipped out of London,
notwithstanding their endeavours to entertain Prince Richard and his uncle the Duke of Lancaster.
Their dramas, though sacred, were so ridiculous as to bring the histories of the New Testament
into contempt, and to encourage libertinism and infidelity.' The wakes, though arising from the
dedication of churches, soon degenerated into a species of rustic fairs, often kept on the Sunday,
but totally devoid of any religious character. The waits or wakes, who were a species of nocturnal
musicians, went through the streets at midnight, about Christmas time, playing their music, which
is still partially continued ; but in earlier times they were accustomed to sing carols and Christmas
hymns. The minstrels were less stationary : they strolled about the country to feasts, fairs, and
weddings, and these cantahanqui were accustomed to mount upon benches and barrel-heads, where
they sang popular songs for the amusement of the rustics at the price of a groat a fit or canto, their
matter being for the most part stories of past times." Thus, in "The Blind Beggar of Bethnal Green"
is the following verse : — •
" Then give me leave, nobles and gentles each one, And if that it may not win good report.
One song more to sing, and then I have done ; Then do not give me a groat for my sport."
The second Randle Holme, who seems to have been a better antiquary than poet, has
preserved the names of a number of the prevailing games of Lancashire in the following metrical
enumeration : —
"AUNTIENT CUSTOMS IN GAMES USED BY BOYS AND GIRLES, MERILY SETT OUT IN VERSE.
" Any they dare chalenge for to throw the sledge,
To jumpe, or leape ovir ditch, or hedge ;
To wrastle, play at stoole ball, or to runne,
To pitch the barre, or to sboote of a gunue ;
To play at loggets, nine holes, or ten pinnes,
To trye it out at foote ball by the shinues.
At tick tacke, seize nody, maw and ruffe.
At hot cokles, leape frogge, or blind man's buffe :
To drink the halper pottes, or deale at the whole caun,
To play at chess, or pue [? put] and inke borne ;
To daunce the moris, play at barley brake,
At al exploits a man can think or speak :
At shove groate, venter poynte, or cross and pile,
At beshrew him that's last at any stile ;
At leaping over a Christmas bonfire,
Orat the drawjnge dame[?dunne — i.e. a dun horse] out of the myer;
At sboote cocke, Gregory, stoole ball, and what not,
Picke poynt, toppe, and scourge to make him hot."
The arts, as the coucher books of Whalley and Furness sufiiciemly show, had made con-
siderable progress in the time of the first Duke of Lancaster. The art of engraving in wood and
on copper had also advanced, as is evident from the remaining prints of Andrea Mantegna ; and
we have already seen that these ornamental accomplishments were crowned by an invention, the
most important of any age or country, that of the art of printing, made by Guttenburg at Mentz,
and introduced_ by Caxton, our countryman, into England.'
The administration of the laws in these early times was often extremely lax, as is instanced in
the frequent and systematic arrests of the inhabitants of the county and duchy of Lancaster, under
the colour of law, m the reign of Henry VI. ; in the abduction of Lady Butler in the same reign;
and m the killing of Mr. Hoghton at a still later period. When vagrants, pedlars, and strumpets
were to be dealt with, the punishment was sufficiently severe and certain ; the first, on conviction,
were doomed to be grievously whipped, and burnt through the gristle of the right hand with a hot
iron of anmch square; the next were condemned to the pillory, for the second offence against the
monopolising borough shopkeepers; and the third were immersed by the ducking-stool, which
was also appropriated to the correction of those domestic disturbers known by the name of
notorious scolds. Irial by combat or wager of battle, so prevalent in these early days, served to
encourage the strong against the weak; this relic of a semi-barbarous age long outlived the trial
by ordeal, which, as we have shown, was abolished on the northern circuit,^ and, doubtless, in all
other circuits m the kingdom, as early as the reign of Henry III. In the times of religious
persecution the terrors of the rack were resorted to for the purpose of extorting confession for
Sabb'Jh4"Tws''r?ot"aSr b" r'd'edSw^' "' t 7- Tt ]!°}''f "^Hj"^^ ^ "^^ P^'-<= "' ='°^'" ■-'^ -*stooI." " February 101),
by Bonner, Bishop of Londoii in 154' 11^ .^^^^^^ H.ibergbam EaTCS-half a xv th for the oookostoole at Bumeley."
' Putters irlorEniushlW^M"^^"^ " August 1620-the Constable of Habergham Eaves.axvth towards the
= It is coniectured tbouL'h the tact ran nnf >,= „ t ■ ^ ■., cooke-stole and whipp-stocke to be made in Bumely-vli.l. ob." Tlio
certainty, that EXste was the first town^nT^n.ff-''*^-^ ^-".J Manchester Court Leot Records contain many entries relating to tbo
the printing press was introduced Lancashne into which cuck-atooL In 164S the retiring constables were fined for negllcting to
Man*ch'e^°er'and'°ifte1lo^"?l;°"'^ -'""? ^f^^^^^' ^^ '° "- "' to^seo' l7dS' 1-?,."""°" =°°"' '""^ *^^"^ ^"''"^^^"'^^ ^^'^^ ''''''''
Mancnester and m Preston within comparatively recent times In the » Chsm vii
bhuttlcwortk AccovMs (Chet. Soc.) there occur the entries-^' January! ^'
CHAP. XIV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
263
crimes that had sometimes never been committed; and as the duchy of Lancaster had its star-
chamber, so also it had its rack.
ThouEfh grammar schools had been founded in various parts of the county long before the
close of Elizabeth's reign, their effect was only gradually manifested on the general population.
Education made but comparatively little progress, and the men of Lancashire, though the merriest
of EngUshmen, were as ignorant and superstitious as they were merry. Nowhere was the belief
in witchcraft and supernatural agency more rife than in the palatinate. The shaping power of the
imagination clothed every secluded clough and dingle with the weird drapery of superstition, and
made every ruined or solitary tenement the abode of unhallowed beings, who were supposed to
hold their diabolical revelries within it. The doctrines of necromancy and witchcraft were in
common belief, and_ it is doubtful if there was a single person in the county who did not place the
most implicit faith in both. The belief m these abominations was not confined to any one class of
the people, or to the professors of any one form of faith. On the contrary. Churchmen, Romanists,
and Puritans were alike the dupes of the loathsome impostors who roamed the country, though
each in turn was ready to upbraid the others with being believers in the generally-prevailing error,
and not unfrequently with being participators in the frauds that were practised. The bishops
gave authority and a form of licence to the clergy to cast out devils ; Romish ecclesiastics claimed
a monopoly of the power ; and the Puritan ministers, not to be outdone, tried their hands at the
imposture. The Earl of Derby was reputed to keep a conjuror in his house; the Warden of
Manchester, Dr. Dee, was a professor of the black art ; and the criminal records of Lancashire tell
of the number of wretched old women who were tried for having, according to the popular belief,
sold themselves and sworn to do the devil's service, and of the monstrous fictions and horrible
attestations that Avere made against them. Happily, with a more liberal administration of the
laws, Avitch-finding became less reputable, and also less remunerative. The light of knowledge
gradually dispelled the shades of the once generally-prevailing delusion, and the belief is now
finally exploded, except among the most ignorant and vulgar. In Lancashire the term " witch "
has long since lost its original opprobrium, and is now transferred to a gentler species of fascination
which is exercised by the fairer sex in the palatinate without fear of judge or jury — a fascination so
potent that few are able to escape the spell, and still fewer desire to do so.
Of the laws against witchcraft we .shall have occasion to treat at some length ; and it may
suffice to say in this place that in the administration of those laws in Lancashire impartial justice
and royal clemency were of rare occurrence.
But we must now resume our history with the reign of James I. at the commencement of the
seventeenth century. On the king's arrival in York, on his first progress to London, he was met
by persons of distinction from all the northern counties of England,_ charged with the duty of
declaring the loyalty and allegiance of those counties to his majesty, without stipulating, however,
for the loyalty of the king to the free institutions of the country. From the county of Lancaster
Sir Edmond Trafford and Sir Thomas Holcroft attended, both of whom received the honour of
knighthood in the garden of the palace at York, on Sunday the I7th of April, 1603 ; on the
following day his majesty conferred the same honour on Sir Thomas Gerrard of Bryn, at
Grimstone ; and on the arrival of the royal suite at Worksop, Sir John Biron, of Newstead Abbey,
in the county of Nottingham, and of Rochdale, in the county of Lancaster, father of John, the first
Lord Biron and Sir Thomas Stanley, of Derbyshire, were also dubbed knights. After the king's
arrival in London, Sir Thomas Hesketh, Sir Thomas Walmsley, Sir Alexander Barlow, Sir Edward
Stanley Sir Thomas Langton, and Sir William Norris, all of the county of Lancaster, received the
honour of knio-hthood; and in the following year (1604), Sir Gilbert Hoghton of Hoghton Tower,
a distinguished favourite of the king, obtained the same honour. In this year Sir John Fortescue,
knight. Chancellor of the Duchy of Lancaster, was appointed a member of a royal commission for
the extermination of the Jesuits. „,,.,. , . ,
The plague which had broken out in London in the first year of the king s reign, and carried
off thirty thousand of its inhabitants, when the whole population of that city did not exceed one
hundred and fifty thousand, spread the following year into Lancashire and became so extremely
fatal that in Manchester alone one thousand of the inhabitants^ died of that malady m 1605,
which was probably equal to one-sixth of its population. The chaplm oi the col egiate church,
Mr Kirke his wife, and four children fell victims to the disease. With heroic fortitude the Rev.
William Bourne one of the fellows, continued to preach through the visitation says HoUinworth
"in the towne so longe as he durst by reason of the unruliness of the infected persons and want
of government, and then he went and preached in a field near to Shorter s (Shooters) Brook, the
townspeople being on one side of him and the country people on the other. In accordance with
1 Hojlinworth's Manouniensis MS.
264 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiv.
an arrangement come to with the lord of the manor, and in settlement of a dispute with the towns-
men, six acres of land, part of the common at CoUyhurst, were devoted to cabins for the reception
of plague patients, many of whom were also buried there. At this time it was not usual to inter
the dead of the lower class of people in coffins, and the bodies were probably often insufficiently
covered with earth, which might conduce to the spread of the pestilence; indeed, as late as 1628 it
was no unusual thing to bury the poor without coffins.^
This pestilence having greatly subsided in London, it was appointed that the first parliament
in the new reign should assemble on the 5th of November ; but while the preparations were making
a plot was discovered, the most atrocious that " the tongue of man ever delivered, the ear of man
ever heard, the heart of man ever conceived, or the malice of devils ever practised " ^ — a plot which
had for its object to destroy at one blow the king and queen, and their family, with the lords
and the commons of the realm congregated in parliament. Some of the actors in this tremendous
drama stand connected with the county of Lancaster, but happily rather has conservators than
destroyers. The letter by Avhich the treason was disclosed is supposed to have been written by a
lady, a descendant by the female line of Sir Edward Stanley, the Lancashire hero of Flodden Field,
FAC-SLWILE OF THI5 LETTER TO LORD MOUNTBAOLE.
to her brother, Lord Monteagle, a Roman Catholic.^ Overtures had been made by the conspirators
\^^..^F William Stanley, who was then in Flanders, to become ^ party in the treason, but Sir
William m some degree retrieved his character by declining to take part himself and by
discountenancing an intended application to foreign Catholic powers to aid the conspiracy. The
plot originated with Robert Catesby, a descendant of the noted favourite of Richard III a man of
tortune, m the enjoyment of the family estate at Ashby, in Northamptonshire, and with Thomas
^ercy, a gentleman-pensioner to the king, and a descendant of the illustrious house of
Northumberland, both of them Roman Catholic recusants; its object being to destroy the
Protestant reignmg femily, and to substitute a Catholic dynasty. Having increased their numbers
by the addition of Robert Winter, Thomas Winter, John Wright, and Christopher Wright, and
= ir FdSd ^hZwIcf on'^L^^^^^^^ , , . ..n^' '^"^^'^^ J"™'>'"' *" "^^ Hist. Sodetatis Jesu, 1. xiii. s. «, says that
in the gunpowder treZn ^^^ conspirators engaged •■ Ti^sliam, one of the conspirators, sent to Lord Monteagle, ilia friend,
tne letter revealing the conspiracy."
OHAP. XIV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
265
embarked Guido Fawkes, a Yorkshireman, and 'a soldier of fortune passing under the name of
Johnson, m the enterprise, Percy, who had rented the vault under the Houses of Parliament asTfue
cellar, there accumulated thirty-six barrels of gunpowder to perpetrate the nteS e^pbsLn Sir
Everard Digby Ambrose Rookwood, Esq., Francis Tresham" Esq., Thomas Habington^EsTjohn
Grant, and>obert Keys, gentlemen, became also members of the conspiracy, thoufh kss act velv
employed in the treason.^ To bind the conspirators to secrecy and to perseverance in the
reasonable design, Gerrard, a Jesmt, administered an oath to Catesby and Percy, and to others of
their fraternity, m these terms: — j, ^ i uu uuucis ui
• ^•"Tri!''''^^ T"*"" ^^ tl^«^^l«^«ed Trinity, and by the sacrament you now purpose to receive, never to disclose directlv or
nn^tl're^ Jvl/ouw" ""' *^' """'''" ''''' *'" "" P^^""^ *° ^"^^ *° ^^^P^*^"-*' "- "i--* fromihe execution the/eo"
_ Ten days before the time appointed for the assembling of Parliament, Lord Monteagle, son and
heir to Lord Morley, being m his lodgings in London, ready to go to supper, between six and seven
clock at night, one of his footmen, on returning from an errand across the street, delivered to him
a letter, without either date, signature, or superscription, which had been put into his hand in the
dark by a man unknown, who charged him to give it to his master, and which letter was expressed
in these terms : — '■
"To the ryght honorable The Lord monteagle,-my lord, out of the loue I beare To some of youere frends, I haue a caer
of youer preservacion Therefor i would advyse youe as you Tender youer lyf To deuyse some exscuse to shift of youer attendance
at Tka parleament, for god and man hathe concurred To punishe the wickednea of This Tyme, and Thinke not slightlye of this
advertisment but reteyre yours self into youre contri, wheare yowe maye expect the euent in safti, for Thowghe Theare be no
apparance of anni stir, yet I saye they shall receyve a Terrible blowe this parleament, and yet they shall not seie who hurts Them
ihis counsel is not lo be a contemned because it maye do yowe good, and can do yowe no harme, for The dangere is pased as soon
as yowe have burnt The letter, and I hope god will give yowe The grace to mak good use of it, To whose holy protecoion I oomend
yowe. — (See p. 264 for facsimile.)
After pondering over the letter for some time, doubtful whether the writer was in jest or in
earnest, his lordship repaired to the king's palace at Whitehall, and there delivered the letter to
the Earl of Salisbury, the principal secretary of state,^ Avho has himself given an account of what
followed ; and we prefer quoting his own words, because they involve a point of history which has
been misrepresented for the purpose of courtly adulation.
" When I observed the generality of the advertisement and the [style of the letter], I could not well distinguish whether it were
a frenzy or sport. For, from any serious ground, I could hardly be induced to believe that it proceeded, for many reasons. First
because no wise man would think my Lord to be so weak as to take any alarm to absent himself from Parliament vpon such a Loose
Advertisement. Secondly, I considered that if any such thing were really intended, that it was very improbable that only one
Nobleman should be warned and none other. Nevertheless, being loth to trust my own judgement alone, being always inclined to
do too much in such a Case as this, I imparted the letter to the Earl of Suffolk, Lord Chamberlain, to the end I might receive his
opinion. Wherevpon pervsing the words of the letter and observing the writing, That the blow should come without knowledge who
hud hurt them, we both conceiued that it could not be more proper than the time of Parlement ; Nor by any other way like to be
attempted, then with Powder whilst the King was sitting in the assembly. Of which the Lord Chamberlaine [thought] ye more
probability Because there was a great Vault vnder the said Chamber wch was neuer used for anything but some wood and coal
belonginge to ye Keeper of ye Old Palace. In wljieh consideration, after we had imparted the same to the Lord Admiral, the Earl of
Worcester and the Earle of Northampton and some other. We all thought fit to forbear to impart it to the King, vntill some three
or four days before the Session. At which time we shewed his Matie the letter, rather as a thing we would not Conceal (because it
was of such a nature) than any way persuading him to give any further Credit to it, vntill the place had been visited, wherevpon
his Mat's (who hath a natiirall habit to Contemn all false fears and a Judgmt so strong as never to doubt anything which is not
well warranted by reason) concurred only thus far with vs, That seeing such a matter was possible, That should bee done which
might prevent all danger, or else nothing at all. Herevpon it was moved. That till the night before his coming nothing should be
done to interrupt any purpose of theirs that had any such devillish practice, But rather to suffer them to go on till the Eve of the
day. And so on Monday in the afternoon accordingly the Lord Chamberlain, whose office it is to see all places of Assembly put in
readiness when the King's person should come, taking with him ye Lord Mounteagle, went to see all ye places in ye Parliament
House. And took also a slight occasion to peruse that Vault, where finding only Piles of Billets and faggots heaped vpp, His
Lordshipp fell into inquiring onley who owned the same wood, Observing the proportion to be somewhat more than ye Howse
Keeper was likely to lay in for his own use. And when Answer was made that it belonged to one Mr. Percy, His Lordship straight
conceiued some suspicion in regard of his person ; And the Lord Mounteagle taking some notice that there was great profession
between Percy and him from which some inference might be made that it [was] the warning of a friend. My Lord Chamberlaine
resolved absolutely to proceed in a search though no other materials were visible, and being returned to the Court about five a Clock
took me up with him to the King, and told him yt although they were hard of belief that any such thing was thought of yet in
such a case as this whatsoever was not done (to put all out of doubt) was as good as nothing. Wherevpon it was resolved by his
Matie that this matter should be so carried as no man should be scandalized by it, nor any alarm taken for any such purpose. For
the better effecting whereof ITie Lord Treasurer, the Lord Admiral, the Earl of Worcester, and we two agreed That Sr Tho.
Knevett should, under a pretext of searching for stolen and imbezilled goodes, both in that place and other houses thereabouts,
remove all that' wood, and so to see the plain ground vnder it. Sr Tho. Knevett going thither (vnlOoked for) about Midnight into
the Vault found that fellow Johnsonne [Fawkes] newly come out of the Vault, and without any more questions stayed him. And
having no sooner removed the wood, he perceived the Barrells, and so bound the Caitiff fast, who made no difficulty to acknowledge
the fact, nor to Confess clearly that the morrow following it should have been effected. And thus have you a true narration from
the beginning," &c.
2 Letter from (Cecil) the Earl of Salisbury, dated November 9, 1605,
' Works of King James I. p. 241. ^^ ^^ Charles Cornewallyes, Harl. MS8. cod. 1875.
35
266
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiv.
From this letter, which was written by Tresham, a relation of Lord Monteagle, it appears that
the sao-acity of first penetrating the mystery, imputed to the king by historians, and by senators,'
and for which he himself takes credit in his work on the " Powder Treason, = was not his. Alter
some delay, and with considerable difficulty, Fawkes, the incendiary, was brought to confess, in
the presence of the privy council, that the plot was first communicated to him about Easter, m the
year 1604 when he was in the Low Countries, by Thomas Winter, and that on his arrival in
Eno-land he conferred upon it with Catesby, Percy, and John Wright, and that they and he
laboured in the mine to penetrate from the adjoining house through the walls into the vault under
the House of Lords, which work was abandoned when Percy got the vault itself into his possession.
On the rumour of the discovery of the plot, several of the conspirators hurried down into Warwick-
shire where they made a fruitless attempt to raise an insurrection, in which Percy and Catesby
were killed, and Digby, Rookwood, and the others, being taken prisoners, were brought to London,
tried and executed on the thirtieth of January, 1606, along with Fawkes. The Catholics as well as
the Protestants condemned this diabolical treason in the most unqualified terms; and so strongly
was the kino- impressed with the conviction that it was the conspiracy of a few fanatical individuals,
and not of a Christian community, that, in his speech at the opening of Parliament, he deprecated
the injustice of involving the Roman Catholics, as a body, in such enormous barbarities. _ Lord
Monteagle, whose promptitude and undeviating loyalty had, through the blessing of Providence,
saved all the estates of the realm, was rewarded for his communication by a grant of crown lands
and a pension ; and as a further mark of the king's favour towards him, the life of his brother-in-
law, Thomas Habington, Esq., of Hendlip, in Worcestershire, the husband of the lady who is
conjectured to have written the mysterious letter which afforded the clue to the discovery, was
saved, on condition that he should not quit the county of Worcester. The debt of public gratitude
due to Lord Monteagle from his country has been thus commemorated : —
" Lo, what my country should have done (have raised
An obelisk, or column, to thy name,
Or, if she would but modestly have praised
Thy fact, in brass or marble writ the same)
I, that am glad of thy great chance, here do !
And, proud my work shall out-last common deeds,
Durst think it great and worthy wonder too,
But thine, for which I do't, so much exceeds.
My country's parents I have many known,
But saver of my country thee alone."
— Ben Jonson's Fpitaph on Lord Monteagle.
Sir William Stanley, with two other popish recusants of the names of Owen and Baldwin,
were placed under arrest at Brussels, on suspicion of having been concerned in the gunpowder
treason ; but in the cool lanc;uaffe of Sir Thomas Edmonds, the Enolish ambassador, " Sir William
was not yet so deeply charged concerning this last treason as to be put upon his trial. According
to a monument in St. Ann's Church, Aldersgate, London, Peter Hey wood, Esq., of Heywood (then
spelt Heiwood), a magistrate of the county of Lancaster, having probably accompanied SirThomas
Knevett, apprehended Guido Fawkes with his dark lantern coming forth from the vault of the
Houses of Parliament on the eve of the gunpowder treason; and on the same authority it appears
that this vigilant magistrate was stabbed in Westminster Hall, five-and-thirty years afterwards, by
John James, a frantic Dominican friar, for urging him to take the oaths of supremacy and
allegiance.^ That the Stanley family stood in high estimation with the king may be inferred from
the fact of the mutual interchange of New Year's gifts in 1606^ between his majesty and the Earl
of Derby, and from the present of plate given to the earl on the christening of his son and heir,
James, the future Earl of Derby, who was destined to die on the scaffold in the cause of the Stuarts.
Among the " Domestic State Papers"" is a letter from Sir Nicholas Mosley and Richard
Holland, dated Tetlow, 20th November, 1605, and addressed to the constables of Manchester, in
which occurs the following passage : —
" For better accomplishment of His Majesty's commands by the late proclamation for detecting and apprehending divers traitors
therein mentioned, or others suspected of having had any hand in that horrible treason, we command you to cause watch and ward
to be duly kept in Manchester for staying and examining all strangers and others suspected of having been privy to the said
detestable enterprise, and to cause them to be forthwith brought before the next Justice of the Peace to be examined and searched
for letters, &c,, and we command you and all others to do your best endeavours, upon pain of your allegiance, and as you tender
His Majesty's high indignation."
' In the preamble to the act for public thanksgiving on the anni- = Works of King James I. p. 227.
veraary of the 5th of November, it is said, that " the conspiracv would , en. . o f r™j„„ „„i ; „ rnr r.i j™'. H,rf nf
have turned to the utter ruin of this whole kingdom, had it not pleased „ , . ^'T° '' "^ London, vol. i. p. 605. Clarendon s Htit. of
Almighty God, by inspiring the king's most excellent majesty with a '• '■
divine spirit to interpret some dark phrases of a letter, shewed to his ' Nichols's Progresses of King James I. vol. i. p. 593.
majesty, above and beyond all ordin.-iry construction, thereby „ n™,.,-„ q,„,. i>„„„, , w-riii KTo d9 r
miraculously discovering this hidden treason." » Z)otocs(jc S(a(e Papers, v. xxxm. JNo. 4.!.— (j.
CHAP. XIV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
267
■ .-..71??/ J-^''"'^ ot inheritance more elevated than that of the knights banneret' was
instituted by the king, m 1611 for the ostensible purpose of defending and reforming the province
of Ulster, in Ireland. It was the boast of King James and his courtiers that he had done
more in
nine years towards ame lorating the condition of the people of Ireland than had been accomplished
by his predecessors in the four hundred and forty-years which had elapsed since the first conquest
ot that country.- lo carry on these improvements, and to preserve the peace of the country, the
baronets were created, each of whom had a bloody hand, in a field argent (the arms of Ulster)
superadded to his family arms. The stipulations entered into by the recipients of the new honour
were that they should be aiding towards the building of churches, towns, and castles ; should
hazard their lives and fortunes in the performance of their duty ; and that, when any spark of
rebellion or other hostile invasion should threaten to disturb the peace of the kino-dom or province
they should be ready to defend it ; and that each of them should maintain and keep thirty foot
soldiers there at 8d. a day for three years. None were at first admitted to the new honour except
those descended, at least, from a grandfather, on the father's side, who had borne arms, and who
had a clear income in land of £1,000 per annum. At the institution of the order, it was intended
that the number should not exceed two hundred, that number to be filled up as the titles became
extinct. In the first batch of baronets, created on the 22nd of May, eighteen knights were honoured
with this hereditary degree, amongst whom were the names of Sir Richard Molineux of Sefton ;
Sir Richard Hoghton of Hoghton Tower ; and Sir Thomas Gerrard of Bryn,' all in the county of
Lancaster ; and Sir George Booth of Dunham Massey, in the county of Chester.'' Up to this time,
the honourable ancient dignities were only eleven in number, but they were now increased to
twelve, ranking in the following order: First the king, second the prince, third the duke,
fourth the marquis, fifth the earl, sixth the viscount, seventh the baron; and these seven are
called princely, and allowed to wear coronets. The other five are noble — as, first the knight
baronet, second the knight banneret, third the knight bachelor, fourth the esquire, and fifth
the gentleman.
This was the age of witchcraft ; and no county in the kingdom was more scandalised by the
degrading superstition than the county of Lancaster. In the present day, when the term
" Lancashire Witches " serves only to excite feelings of gaiety and admiration,* it is not possible to
conceive how different were the sentiments produced by these magical words in the seventeenth
century, when the " Solomon of the North " ascended the throne of England, and when, on the
proclamation of a general pardon, the crime of " wytchcrafte " was excepted from the common
amnesty. A petition from Dr. Dee, warden of the Collegiate Church of Manchester, of the date of
the 5th of January, 1604, praying to be freed from this revolting imputation of witchcraft, even at
the risk of a trial for his life, sufficiently indicates the horror excited by the charge. " It has been
affirmed," says the doctor, "that your majesty's supplicant was the conjuror belonging to the most
honourable privy council of your majesty's predecessor, of famous memory, Queen Elizabeth ; and
that he is, or hath been, a caller or invocater of devils, or damned spirits : these slanders, which
have tended to his utter undoing, can," he adds, " no longer be endured ; and if on trial he is
found guilty of the offence imputed to him, he offers himself willingly to the punishment of death ;
yea, either to be stoned to death, or to be buried quick, or to be burned unmercifully."" Conjuror
or not, the reverend warden sported with conjuror's weapons, and his predictions on the fortunate
day for the coronation of his royal mistress, and his pretensions to render innoxious the waxen
effigy of Queen Elizabeth found in Lincoln's Inn Fields, very naturally subjected him to those
suspicions which, combined with other circumstances hereafter to be mentioned, proved his utter
undoing. The doctor's connections, too, were of the most suspicious kind. For some years he was
the friend and associate of Edward Kelley, alias Talbot, a notorious English alchemist and
necromancer, who, for some delinquencies, coining it is said, had had his ears cut off at Lancaster.
It was the practice of Kelley to exhume and consult the dead to obtain a knowledge, as he
pretended, of the fate of the living ; and upon a certain night, in the park of Walton-le-Dale,
in the county of Lancaster, with one Paul Wareing, of Clayton Brook, his fellow- companion m such
■The last kEight banneret created was Sir Halph Sadler. chanceUor of 1660. June 7.--Sir Orlando Bridgeman of to^^ Knight,
•"^ &l^^°fek°sri5r "' ''"^^^"'"'^'' "^ *'^ ^^" '"'''■ 1660. Aug. IV.- J^TZ^, 'o'fVTd^diltr.^night.
gives a lisrof the &etcies ereated fro^m the inaHtukn of the Order 1640. July ?»--?^dward Mosky^ of Anco^^^
U> the time of i.sue, -,.-"oV?'';Si'd"ti?'CTnight"'"" '"'''" ^" J's^tcken^ta mrnt°nTa''easf o'^^a ti^t^"co^i.^.i to die in
JrJo ^^^ ^Q-"^ l^A^lSon nf Te^eTEsa ScotLvnd for witchcraft, whose crime in rcaUty was that she had
S" W i« "MwLdStanky of BickSifle, Esq attracted too great a share, in the lady's opinion, of the attention of the
fm. iug U~^^Bi^lfoo!I:o{^^^5Bi laird This in modem times would have been caUed a rcai Lancashire
1644. Aoril 1.— John Preston, of the Mauour in Fumesse, Esq. witch.
mi. April 25:-ThomasPre8twich, of Hohne(Hulme), Esq. » LansdowneMSb. cod. 161.
268 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIEE. chap. xiv.
deeds of darkness, he invoked one of the infernal regiment, to know certain passages in the life, as
also what might be known by the devil's foresight of the manner and time of death, of a noble
young gentleman in Wareing's wardship/ This ceremony being ended, Kelley and his com-
panion repaired to the churchyard of Walton-le-Dale, sometimes called Law Church, where they
duo- up the body of a poor old man recently interred, and whom, by their incantations, they made
to deliver strange predictions concerning the same gentleman, who was probably present, and
anxious to read a page in the book of futurity." After these feats, which were no doubt performed
by a kind of ventriloquism. Seer Edward went abroad, accompanied by Dr. Dee, where they found
the celebrated elixir, or philosopher's stone, in the form of a powder, by which, amongst other
transmutations, they converted the bottom of a warming-pan into good silver, only by warming it
at the fire ; and so plentiful were the precious metals that their children played with golden
quoits P The fame of the alchemists having reached Queen Elizabeth, she sent a messenger.
Captain Peter Gwinne, secretly, for Kelley, who had got himself immured in one of the prisons of
the Emperor Rodolphus II. in Prague. But he was doomed to die in a foreign land, for in an
attempt to escape out of the window of the castle he received a mortal bruise — ^the elixir not being
able, as it should appear, to communicate immortality to its possessor.
The first distinct charge of witchcraft in any way connected with this county is that (in
1447) of the wife of the good Duke Humphrey, Duchess of Gloucester, the associate of Roger
Bolingbroke the priest and Margaret Jourdan,'' who, after having been hurled by her ambition
and inquisitive credulity from the highest elevation to the lowest degradation, became the prisoner
of Sir Thomas Stanley, in the Isle of Man, and for some time suffered confinement in the castle of
Liverpool." The arts of the Lancashire alchemists, and Sir Edward Ashton, though partaking of
the nature of witchcraft, prefer no claim to supernatural agency, but may rank amongst the
eccentric phenomena of the human mind."
In the Stanley family, Edward, Earl of Derby, had the reputation, on the authority of a minister
of state, of entertaining a conjuror in his house; and Margaret Clifford, Countess of Derby, lost the
favour of Queen Elizabeth for a womanish curiosity (from which the queen herself was not entirely
free) and consulting with wizards and cunning men ; while Ferdinando, Earl of Derby, died, as we
have seen, under the impression that he was bewitched, in which belief " very many, and some of them
very learned men, concurred." During his last sickness " a homelie wise-woman, about fifty years
old, was found mumbling in a corner in his honour's chamber, but what God knoweth. . . .
About midnight was found by Mr. Halsall an image of wax, with hair like unto the hair of his
honour's head, twisted through the belly thereof; and he fell twice into a trance, not able to move
hand or foot, when he would have taken physic to do him good. In the end, he cried out often
against all witches and witchcraft, reposing his only hope of salvation upon the merits of Christ
Jesus his Saviour." ''
Connected with these impositions and this infatuation was the doctrine and practice of
demoniacal possession and dispossession, on which subject an almost interminable controversy
arose, which divided public opinion in the county of Lancaster for many years, and which, like
witchcraft itself, was at lenth exploded by the progress of knowledge.
Araongst the first cases of this kind is that of " Ann Milner, a maiden of Chester, eighteen
years of age," to whom an evil spirit appeared suddenly, on the 16th of February, 1564, in the
form of a " white thing compassing her roundabout," while she was bringing her father's kine from
the field. The following morning she took to her bed, where she fell into a succession of trances,
from which she was not recovered till, on the bidding of Master Lane, a clergyman, she said the
Lord's_ Prayer and Te Deum, and was immediately dispossessed, after more than a month's affiiction,
at which the whole city stood astonished. The judge of assize, John Throgmorton, Esq., high
justice, heard a sermon from Master Lane, on the occasion, and Sir Wyllyam Calverley, knight,
Richard Harlestone, Esq., and John Fisher, attested the veracity of the narrative.'*
Another case of demoniacal possession, much more extensive and varied in its circumstances,
took place at Cleworth, now called Clayworth, in the parish of Leigh, in the county of Lancaster,
thirty years afterwards. The facts are related by the Rev. John Darrell, a minister of religion,
and himself a principal actor in the scene. According to the narrative published by this divine, there
' Weever's Ancient Fuaeral Monuments, p. 45. saya, "Mr. LiUy told me that John Erans informed liim that he was
Y IS not Known witn certamty when this cii-cumstanoe occurred, acquainted with Kelly's sister in Worcester, tliat she showed him some
but a local historian, anxious to supply the omission, gives the date of the gold her brother had transmuted, and that Kelly was first an
August 12, 15IJ0, and says that Dee was present. This, however, is clearly apothecary in Worcester. "-C.
an error, for Kelly could then only have been about five years of age, and * Margaret Jourdan, the Witch of Eyee, was burnt to death in
Dee did not make his acquaintance until lung afterwards.— Smithfield j , m i,
= With this "powder of projection," or " salt of metals," as it was » See chap. xl. p. 173.
variously called, Dee and his associate were enabled to coat the baser « See chap xi. p. 176.
metals with silver or gold, having, as it would seem, hit upon the process ' HarL MSS. cod. 247.
Sr'« 'li' J™'"? '""i ^ i?''!? ''**'^''' Josi-'Pli Hancock introduced into » From a black-letter copy in the British Museum, transcribed and
bhemeld— that of electro-plating. Ashmole, in hia MS., 1700, foL 58, obligingly furnished by George Ormerod, Esq.
CHAP. XIV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
269
lived m the year 1 o9^ (? Jan. 1596-7), at Cleworth, one Nicholas Starkie/ who had only two children
John and Anne, the former ten and the latter nine years of age. The^e children, ac^coVdin. to our'
authority, became possessed with an evil spirit ; and John Hartley, a reputed con uror wls'applied
to, at the end oi from two to three months, to give them relief, which he effected by vEis
charms, and_ the use of a magical circle with four crosses, drawn near Mr Starkie's slat a
Huntroyde, m the parish of Whalley. Hartley was conjurer enough to discov r the diSnc
h?T^p??^;n.w''Vf^^''"'^ lusown,and he contrived to fix himself as a constant inmate in
his benefactor s family for two or three years. Being considered so essential to their peace, he
advanced m his demands, till Mr. Starkie demurred, and a separation took place ; but not till five
other persons, three of them the female wards of Mr. Starkie, and two other fer^ales, had become
possessed through the agency ol Hartley, "and it was judged in the house that whomsoever he
kissed on them he breathed the devil." According to the narrative, all the seven demoniacs sent
forth such a strange and supernatural voice of loud shouting as the like was never before heard at
Cleworth, nor m England. In this extremity Dr. Dee, the warden of Manchester College was
applied to to exorcise the evil spirits ; but he refused, telling them he would practise no such
unlawful arts as they desired, but, instead, advised that they should " call in some godlye preachers
with whona he would consult concerning a public or private fast." At the same time he sharply
reproved Hartley for his fraudulent practices. Some remission of violence followed ; but the evil
spirits soon returned, and Mr. Starkie's house became a perfect bedlam. John Starkie, the son
was "as fierce as a madman, or a mad dog;" his sister Anne was little better; Margaret Hardman'
a gay, sprightly girl, was also troubled, and aspired after all the splendid attire of fashionable life'
calhng for one gay thing after another, and repeatedly telling her lad, as she called her unseen
famiUar, that she would be finer than him.' Eleanor, her younger sister, and Ellen Holland,
another of Mr. Starkie's wards, were also "troubled;" and Margaret Byrom, daughter of Adam
Byrom, a wealthy " merchaunt " of Salford, a woman thirty-three years of age, Avho was on a visit at
Cleworth, became giddy, and partook of the general malady. The young ladies fell down as dead,
while they were dancing and " smging and playing the minstrel," and talked at such a rate that
nobody could be heard but themselves.
The preachers being called in, according to the advice of Dr. Dee, they inquired how the young
demoniacs were handled, to which the possessed replied by a strange and absurd rhapsody. On the
16th of March, Maister George More, pastor of Cawke (Calke), in Derbyshire, and Maister John
I)arrell,_ afterwards preacher at St. Mary's, in Nottingham, came to Cleworth, when they saw the
girls grievously tormented. Jane Ashton, the servant of Mr. Starkie, howled in a supernatural
manner. Hartley having given her kisses and promised her marriage. The ministers having got all
the seven into one chamber, gave them spiritual advice ; but on the Bible being brought up to them,
three or four of them began to scoff and called it, " Bib-le Bab-le, Bible Bable." The next
morning they were got into a large parlour and laid on couches, when Maister More and Maister
Dickens, a preacher (and their pastor), along with Maister Darrell and thirty other persons, spent
the day with them in prayer and fasting, and hearing the word of God. All the parties afllicted
remained in their fits the whole of the day. Towards evening, every one of them, with voice and
hands lifted up, cried to God for mercy, and He was pleased to hear them, so that six of them were
shortly dispossessed, and Jane Ashton in the course of the next day experienced the same
deliverance. At the moment of dispossession some of them were miserably rent, and the blood
gushed out both at the nose and the mouth. Margaret Byrom said that she felt the spirit come
up her throat, when it gave her a "sore lug" at the time of quitting her, and went out of the
window with a flash of fire, she only seeing it ; John Starkie said his spirit left him like a man
with a hunch on his back, very ill-favoured ; Eleanor Hardman's was like an urchin ; Margaret
Byrom's like an ugly black man with shoulders higher than his head ; and the others were equally
hideous. This occurred on the 9th January, 1596-7. Two or three days afterwards the unclean
spirits returned, and would have re-entered had they not been resisted. When they could not
succeed, either by bribes or entreaties, they threw some of them violently down, and deprived
others of the use of their legs and other members ; but the victory was finally obtained by the
preachers, and all the devils banished from Mr. Starkie's household. In this state of turmoil and
confusion Mr. Starkie's house had been kept for upwards of two years, but in the meantime
Hartley, the conjuror, who seems to have been a designing knave, after undergoing an examination
before two magistrates, was committed to Lancaster Castle, where he was convicted, on the evidence
■ Nicholas Starkie was the head of the family of that liamo, ol the eldest, mairied, in 1604, Margaret, daughter of Thomas Lei?h, and
Huntroyde, near Padiham, in Whalley parish. He married at Leigh, from him descends the present owner of Uuutroyde.Le Gei^ie Nitholi^^
August 5th, 1S78, Anne, widow of Thurston Barton, of Smithells, and Starkie. Anne, the daughter, who was baptised at Leigh, May 2J, IbOb,
daughter and sole heir of John Parr, of Kempnough and Cleworth, and became the wile of Thomas Dyke, of Westwick, oo. York, Usq.— u.
in her right became possessed of Cleworth, where he was residing at the ^ See p. 255.
time of the events narrated. Of the two children ol the marriage, John,
270 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap, xiv,
of Mr. Starkie and his family, of witchcraft, and sentenced to be executed, principally, as it is
stated, for drawing the magical circle, which seems to have been the least part of his offence,
though the most obnoxious to the law. In this trial, spectral evidence was adduced against the
prisoner, and the experiment was tried of saying the Lord's Prayer.^ It does not appear that any
of the Lancashire witches or wizards were tried by swimming. When it no longer served his
purpose, he endeavoured to divest himself of the character of a conjuror, and declared that he was
not guilty of the crime for which he was doomed to suffer. The law, however, was inexorable, and
he was brought to execution On the scaffold he persisted in declaring his innocence, but to no
purpose. The executioner did his duty, and the criminal was suspended. While in this situation
the rope broke, when he confessed his guilt ; and being again tied up, he died the victim of his own
craft, and of the infatuation of the age in which he lived." On the appearance of Mr. Darrell's
book, containing the relation of these marvellous events, a long controversy arose on the doctrine
of demonology, and it was charged upon him by the Rev. Samuel Harsnet, afterwards Bishop of
Chichester, Norwich, and York, that he made a trade of casting out devils, and that he instructed
the possessed how to conduct themselves, in order to aid him in carrying on the imposition. Mr.
Darrell was afterwards examined by the queen's commissioners ; and, by the full agreement of the
whole court, he was condemned as a counterfeit, deposed from the ministry, and committed to
close confinement, there to remain for further punishment. The clergy, in order to prevent the
scandal brought upon the church by false pretensions to the power of dispossessing demons, soon after
introduced a new canon into the ecclesiastical law, expressed in these terms : " That no minister or
ministers, without licence and direction of the bishop, under his hand and seal obtained, attempt,
upon any pretence whatsoever, either of possession or obsession, by fasting and prayer, to cast out
any devil or devils, under pain of the imputation of imposture, or cozenage, and deposition from the
ministry." Some light is cast upon these mysterious transactions by " a discourse concerning the
possession and dispossession of seven persons in one family in Lancashire," written by
George More, a Puritanical minister (the Vicar of Calke or Cawe), who had engaged in
exorcising the legion of devils. This discourse agrees substantially with Darrell's narrative,
but adds some facts that are worthy of mention — amongst others, that he, Mr. More, was
a prisoner in the Clink for nearly two years, for justifying and bearing witness to the facts
stated by his fellow-minister. Speaking of Mr. Starkie's family, he says that Mr. Nicholas
Starkie having married a gentlewoman that was an inheritrix, and of whose kindred some
were Papists — these, partly for religion and partly because the estate descended not to heirs-
male — prayed for the perishing of her issue, and that four sons pined away in a strange
manner ; but that Mrs. Starkie, learning this circumstance, estated her lands on her husband, and
his heirs, failing issue of her own body, after which a son and daughter were born, who prospered
well till they arrived at the age of ten or twelve years. In this disordered state of the public
mind a work of King James's, under the title of " Daemonologie," alike distinguished for its vulgar
credulity and for its sanguinary denunciations, was issued from the press, and read with avidity.
The sapient author, after having imagined a fictitious crime, placed the miserable and friendless
objects of conviction beyond all hopes of royal clemency. Having laboured to open the door for
the most unjust convictions, the royal fanatic adds that all witches ought to be put to death,
without distinction of age, sex, or rank.^
_ It has been said that witchcraft came in with the Stuarts, and went out with them, but this is
an injustice to the memory of the author of " Daemonologie," for the belief in sorcery, witchcraft,
enchantment, demonology, and practices of a kindred nature,-were, as we have seen, widely preva-
lent long ere King James ascended the English throne. Henry VIII., in 1531, granted a formal
licence to " two learned clerks," " to practise sorcery, and to build churches," a curious combina-
tion of evil and its antidote ; and ten years later he, with his accustomed inconsistency, issued
a decree making " witchcraft and sorcery felony, without benefit of clergy."
A few years after the royal author of the sanguinary commentary upon the demoniacal code of
Henry VIII. and Elizabeth ascended the EngUsh throne a discovery took place of an alleged con-
vention of witches, held at Malkin Tower^ (a ruined and desolate farmhouse), in Pendle Forest,
m the county of Lancaster. It has been justly observed by Dr. Hibbert-Ware that witchcraft was
generally the most rife in wild and desolate parts of the country, and this observation is borne out
I n^'r^r*,''''n?wf J^'I^Sf"^ ?*"'y "" Witchcraft, p. 33. renouncing and blaspheming God ; and others, half-burnt, brake out of
rlpvil nf «^„n „™^^; I r »F''™go and grievous vexation by the the fire, and wero oast quick in it again, till they were burned to the
^X^on^°ZS.J^^^^J^^^ NTtSn'gSr '■"''' °' Tsf ■-"'" ^'"'^ "''"'' ''«'-«'■■».«-'«'' ^ -*V. Scotfs J^emonolooy.
if not'^nii!i^^'„''lw\°i w*^ '°'' "T'tf^raf =;; EugUnd has been generally, ' Mallda is a north country name for a hare, but in this instance the
werftTprS AlSnl+S, f^; ^" ^° ^™''f ?''' '° ^'^'"*' "some women namo is more probably derived from maca, an equal, a oompanion.
Xit thPv ZSZ^^^iZ.^l^^Y"'*^'"^ PJ^' '"/i; '^''""'- ^'^ ™nvicted ; MalH;i is the name of a familar demon iu Middleton's old play of " I'he
albeit they persevered constant to the end, yet they wero burned quick Witch "—0
[auve] after such a cruel manner, that some of them died in despaii-,
CHAP. XIV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 271
in Lancashire, for no district in the county is more wild and desolate than certain parts of the
parish ot Whalley, in which parish almost all the witch scenes of the county have heen performed
The persons accused of holding the convention at Malkin Tower were a poor wretched old woman
of the name of Southernes, and Anne Whittle, each of them fourscore years of ao-e and upwards'
with several of their_ neighbours and relations, all of the same rank. No fewer than nineteen of
these persons were tried at the assizes at Lancaster in the autumn of 1612, charged with the crime
of witchcraft, of whom the following is a list : — ' "^
Witches of Pendle Foeest.— EHzabeth Southernes, widow, alias Old Demdike ; Elizabeth
Device (probably Davies), alias Young Demdike, her daughter ; James Device, the son of Young
Demdike ; AHzon Device, the daughter of Young Demdike ; Anne Whittle, widow, alias Chattox,
alias Chatter-box, the rival witch of Old Demdike ; Anne Redferne, daughter of Ann Chattox ;
Alice Nutte r ; Katherine Hewytt, alias Mould-heeles ; Jane Bulcock, of the Mosse End ; John
JjulcoclcTirer son ; Isabel Robey ; Margaret Pearson, of Padiham.
The last-mentioned of whom was tried— 1st, for murder by witchcraft ; 2nd, for bewitching a
neighbour ; 3rd, for bewitching a horse ; and being acquitted of the two former charges, was
sentenced for the last to stand upon the pillory, in the markets of Clitheroe, Padiham, Colne, and
Lancaster, for four successive market-days, with a printed paper upon her head, stating her
offence.
Witches of Samlesbuey. — Jennet Bierley, Ellen Bierley, Jane Sowthworth, John Ramsden,
Elizabeth Astlej', Alice Gray, Isabel Sidegraves, Lawrence Haye.
The sensation produced by these trials in this and the neighbouring counties was great beyond
all former example ; " and Thomas Potts, Esq., the clerk of the court, was directed by the judges
of assize. Sir Edward Bromley, Knight, and Sir James Altham, Knight, to collect and publish the
evidence, and other documents connected with the trial, under the revision of the judges them-
selves. According to this authority. Old Demdike, the principal actress in the tragedy, was a
general agent for the devil in all these parts, no man escaping her or her furies, that ever gave
them occasion of offence, or denied them anything they stood in need of The justices of the
peace in this part of the country, Roger Nowell and Nicholas Bannister, having learnt that Malkin
Tower, in the forest of Pendle, the residence of Old Demdike and her daughter, was the resort of
the witches, had ventured so far to brave the danger of their incant£itions as to arrest their head,
and a number of her followers, and to commit them to the castle at Lancaster. Amongst the rest
of the voluntary confessions made by the witches, that of Dame Demdike is preserved, and is to
the following effect : —
" That about twenty years ago, as she was coming home from begging, she was met near Gouldshey, in the forest of Pendle, by
a spirit, or devil, in the shape of a boy, the one-half of his coat black and the other brown, who told her to stop, and said, that if
she would give him her soul, she should have anything she wished for ; on which she asked him his name, and was told that his
name was Tib ; she then consented, from the hope of gain, to give him her soul. For several years she had no occasion to make
any apphcation to her evil spirit ; but one " Sunday morning, having a little child upon her knee, and she being in a slumber, the
spirit appeared to her in the likeness of a brown dog, and forced himself upon her knee, and begun to suck her blood under her left
arm, on which she exclaimed, ' Jesus, save me ! ' and the brown dog vanished, leaving her almost stark mad for the space of eight
weeks." On another occasion she was led, being blind, to the house of Richard Baldwyn, to obtain payment for the services her
daughter had performed at his mill, when Baldwyn fell into a passion, and bid them to get off his ground, upbraiding them with
being whores and witches, and said he would burn the one and hang the other ; on which Tib appeared, and they concerted matters
to revenge themselves upon Baldwyn, but it does not appear what was the nature of that revenge. This wretched creature, who
appears, like her compeer Chattox, to have been a poor mendicant pretender to the powers of witchcraft, might have read the work
ot her sovereign Kin" James ; for in her examination she says that the surest way of taking man's life by witchcraft is to make a
picture of clay like unto the shape of the person meant to be killed, and when they would have the object of their vengeance to
Buffer in any particular part of his body, to take a thorn, or pin, and prick it into that part of the effigy ; and when they would
have any of the body to consume away, then to take that part of the figure and burn it ; and when they would have the whole body
to consume, then to take the remainder of the picture and burn it, by which means the afflicted will die."
A number of other examinations follow, principally those of the witches themselves, amount-
ing in substance to this, that Old Demdike persuaded her daughter, Elizabeth Device, to sell herself
to the devil and that she took her advice ; and that she, in her turn, initiated her daughter, Alizon
Device in her infernal arts. When the old witch had been sent to Lancaster Castle, a grand
convocation consisting of seventeen witches and three wizards, was held at Malkin Tower on Good
Friday which was by no means observed as a fast, and at which it was determined to kill M 'Co veil,
the governor of the castle, and to blow up the building, for the purpose of enabling the witches to
make their escape, which certainly would have been a very effectual way of accomplishing that
obiect, seeing that the persons meant to be rescued were in the building which it was intended to
destroy' The obiect of this witch-council was threefold: first, to christen the famihar ot Alizon
Device, one of the witches who had been taken to Lancaster ; second, to concert a plan tor blowing
> Potts'8 Preface to the Trials of the Lancashire Witches in 1612. This has been reprinted with Notes, &c., by the late James Croseley,
Potts s Prelace to tne ixiais oi i,u<, i. _^^^ p.s.A. (vol. 6 of the Chetham Society's series).
272 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiv.
up the castle and murdering the gaoler ; and third, for bewitching and murdering Mr. Lister, a
o'entleman residing at Westby, in Craven, in Yorkshire. The business being ended, the witches,
in quittino- the me'eting, walked out of the barn, which was dignified with the name of a tower, in
their proper shapes ; but no sooner had they reached the door than they each mounted their spirit,
which was in the form of a young horse, and quickly Yanished out of sight. Before the assizes
Old Demdike, worn out by age and trouble, escaped the hands of the executioner by her death in
prison, but the other prisoners were brought to trial. , ..,,.,
The first person arraigned before Sir Edward Bromley (Aug. 18, 1612), who presided in the
criminal court, was Ann Whittle, alias Chattox, who is described by Mr. Potts as a very old,
withered, spent, and decrepit creature, eighty years of age, and nearly blind— a dangerous witch of
very long continuance, always opposed to Old Demdike ; for whom the one favoured the other
hated deadly, and they envied and accused one another in their examinations. This witch was
more ready to do mischief to men's goods than to themselves, her lips ever chattered as she walked
(and hence, probably, her name of Chattox, or Chatter-box), but no man knew what she said ; her
abode was in the forest of Pendle, amongst the wicked company of dangerous witches, where the
woollen trade was carried on, and she, in her younger days, was a carder of wool. She was indicted
for having exercised various wicked and devilish arts called witchcrafts, enchantments, charms,
and sorceries, upon one Robert Nutter, of Greenehead, in the forest of Pendle, and, by force of the
said witchcraft, having feloniously killed the said Robert Nutter. To estabUsh this charge, her
own examination was read, from which it appeared that fourteen or fifteen years ago a thing like
" a Christian man " had importuned her to sell her soul to the devil, and that she had complied
with his request, giving to her familiar the name of Fancy ; and on account of an insult offered to
her daughter Redfern by Robert Nutter, they two conspired to place a bad wish upon Nutter, of
which he died. Amongst other charms was that of an incantation used over drink, in the process
of bi-ewing, when it failed to work, of which the following is a copy : —
"A CHARM.
" Three Biters hast thou bitten,
The Hart, ill Eye, ill Tonge ;
Three bitters shaU be thy Roote,
Father, Sonne, and Holy Ghost, a God's name.
Fiue Pater-nosters, fine Auies, and a Creede,
In worship of fiue wounds of our Lord."
It was further deposed against the accused that John Device agreed to give Old Chattox a dole
of meal yearly if she would not hurt him ; and that when he ceased to make this annual payment
he took to his bed and died. To which were added two other crimes of smaller magnitude ; first,
that she had bewitched the drink of John Moore ; and, second, that she had, without the operation
of the churn, produced a quantity of butter from a dish of skimmed milk ! In the face of this
evidence, and no longer anxious about her oAvn life, she acknowledged her guilt ; but humbly
prayed the judges to be merciful to her daughter, Anne Redfearne. This prayer, so natural from a
mother, was vain. Bent, as was the court before which she was tried, on blood, they kneiv not how
to appreciate this touching trait of maternal magnanimity.
Against Elizabeth Device, the testimony of her own daughter, a child nine years of age, was
received, and the way in which her evidence was given, instead of filling the court with horror,
seems to have excited their applause and admiration. According to our authority, the familiar of
the prisoner was a dog, which went by the name of Ball, and by whose agency she bewitched to
death John Robinson,^ James Robinson, and James Mitton ; the first of the victims having called
her a strumpet, and'the last having refused to give Old Demdike a penny when she asked him for
charity. To render her daughter proficient in the art, the prisoner taught her two prayers, by one
of which she cured the bewitched, and by the other procured diink. The prayer for drink was in
these terms: " Crucifixus hoc signuin vitam Eternam. Amen." The charm for curing the
bewitched, thus: —
"A CHARM.
' Vpon Good Friday, I will fast while I may,
Vntil I heare them knell
Our Lord's owne Bell,
Lord in his messe
With his twelue Apostles good,
' What hath he in his hand !
Ligh in leath wand :
What he in his other hand ?
Heauen's doore key.
Open, open Heaaen's doore keyes,
Sneck, sneok hell doore," &c.
The person of Elizabeth Device, as described by the clerk of the court, seems to have peculiarly
qualified her for an ancient witch : "She was branded," says he, "with a preposterous mark in
^ The ancient Rabbins held that the devils most frequently appeared in the shape of SegJmirim, rough and hairy goats ; but none of the familiars
of the Lancashire witches were of this classical description.
CHAP.. XIV. THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE. 273
■ ; her left eye standing lower than her right, the one looking down and the other up, at the
iime." Her process of destruction was by modelling clay or marl figures, and wasting her
nature ;
same time.' _
victims away along with them— another proof of the king's sagacity, which? no doubt, the judges^
who seem to have been more solicitous to obtain the favour of their royal master than to administer
impartial justice to his subjects, would not fail to make known at court. James Device was
convicted principally on the evidence of his infant sister, of bewitching and killing Mrs. Ann
Towneley,_ the wife of Mr. Henry Towneley, of the Carr, by means of a picture of clay, and both he
and his sister were witnesses against their mother. This wizard, whose spirit was called Bandy,
is described as a poor, decrepit boy, apparently of weak intellect, and so infirm that it was found
necessary to hold him up in court on his trial. Upon evidence of this kind no fewer than ten of
these unfortunate people were found guilty at Lancaster, and sentenced to suffer punishment of
death; eiglit_ others were acquitted, though for what reason it is difficult to imagine, for the
evidence against some of them, at least, appears to have been equally strong ; or, to speak more
properly, equally weak and absurd, as against those who were convicted. The persons sentenced
to death, and afterwards exebuted, were Ann Whittle, alias Chattox, Elizabeth Device, James
Device, Ann Redferne, Alice Nutter, Catherine Hewytt, John Bulcock, Jane Bulcock, Alizon
Device, and Isabel Robey.
Mr. Crossley, in his introduction to Potts's " Discovery of Witches," remarks that " the main
interest in reviewing the miserable band of victims will be found to centre in Alice Nutter.
Wealthy, well-conducted, well-connected, and placed probably on an equality with most of the
neighbouring families, and the magistrate before whom she was brought and by whom she was
committed, she deserves to be distinguished from the companions with whom she suffered, and to
attract an attention which has never yet been directed to her. That James Device, on whose
evidence she was convicted, was instructed to accuse her by her own nearest relatives, and that the
magisrrate, Roger No well, entered actively as a confederate into the conspiracy, from a grudge
entertained against her on account of a long-disputed boundary, are allegations which tradition
has preserved, but the truth or falsehood of which, at this distance of time, it is scarcely possible
satisfactorily to examine. Her mansion, Rough Lee, is still standing, a very substantial and
rather fine specimen of the houses of the inferior gentry temp. James I., but now divided into
cottages."^
Against Jane Bierley, Ellen Bierley, and Jane Southworth of Samlesbury, charged with having
bewitched Grace Sowerbutts at that place, the only material evidence adduced was that of Grace
Sowerbutts herself, a girl of licentious and vagrant habits, who swore that these women, one of
them being her grandmother, did draw her by the hair of the head, and lay her upon the top of a
hay-mow, and did take her senses and memory from her ; that they appeared to her sometimes in
their own likeness, and sometimes like a black dog. She further deposed that by their arts they
prevailed upon her to join their sisterhood ; and that they were met from time to time by " four
black things going upright, and yet not like men in the face," who conveyed them across the
Kibble, where they danced with them, and then each retired to hold dalliance with their familiar,
conformable, no doubt, to tlie doctrine of Incubi and Succubi, as promulgated by the royal demon-
ologist. To consummate their atrocities, the prisoners bewitched and slew a child of Thomas
Washman's, by placing a nail in its navel ; and after its burial they took up the corpse, when they
ate part of the flesh, and made " an unxious ointment " by boiling the bones. This was more than
even the capacious credulity of the judge and jury could digest, and, after listening with all gravity
to this farrago, the judge demanded of the accused what answer they could make, when they
" desired him for God's cause to examine Grace Sowerbutts, who set her on, or by whose means the
accusation came against them." The simple question wrung from the prisoners on the verge of
anticipated condemnation demolished the whole fabric of imposture, and laid open the plot even
to the dull comprehension of Sir Edward Bromley. The taint of Papistry was known to rest upon
Grace Sowerbutts and her supporters, and it was rumoured, moreover, that she had been under the
training of one Thompson, a seminary priest or Jesuit, whose real name was Southworth, formerly
a connection of one of the accused, Jane Southworth, who had lately become a convert to Protes-
tantism, and for that reason was likely to be hated by her Popish relative The judges faculties
seem to have been sharpened by his horror of Popery, and though he hardly relished the release
of even Protestant witches, he doubtless found some solace m the assurance that his sagacity had
unravelled imposture and unearthed a dangerous Jesuit, whom he would have been willing to
string up in the plain belief that he was thereby doing a just and righteous work. Leading the
principal witness step by step to a denial of all she had asserted, haying first deivered himself of
the opinion " that if a priest or a Jesuit had a hand in one end of it, there would appeare to be
1 Chd, Soc. PuUcations, v. vi.— 0.
36
274 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiv.
knaverie and practise on the other end of it," he got her to confess that she was a cheat and an
impostor, and that every article of her accusation was a falsehood and invention from beginning to
end ; that " Master Thompson, who she took to be Master Christopher Southworth, to whom she
had been sent to learne her prayers, did persuade, counsell, and advise her to bring the horrible
charge she had against her grandmother, aunt, and Southworth's wife." In short, this precocious
prodigy of wickedness was compelled to play a losing game, and, as a consequence, her intended
victims escaped with a stern exhortation from the judge. The Samlesbury witches were therefore
acquitted, and the seminary priest Thompson, alias Southworth, who was suspected by two of the
county magistrates,^ to whom the affair was afterwards referred, of having instigated Sowerbutts to
make the charge, escaped for want of confirmatory evidence. John Ramsden, Elizabeth Astley,
Alice Gray, Isabel Sidegraves, and Lawrence Haye were all discharged without trial.
The relationship which the Southworths who were concerned in the trial bore to each other
has not until recent years been ascertained, but a careful examination of the muniments at Samles-
bury Hall, which the Editor of this edition was permitted to make some few years ago, enabled him
to identify with tolerable certainty the principal of the Samlesbury witches.- The supposed chief
instigator of the plot, the priest Thompson, otherwise Christopher Southworth, was, no doubt,
Christopher, the fourth son of Sir John Southworth, the noted recusant — a Romish ecclesiastic who
was undergoing imprisonment for recusancy in the castle of Wisbeach at the time of Sir John's
decease in 1595, and must have been lifty-four years of age at the time these accusations were
preferred. Jane Southworth, the intended victim of this arch-conspirator, was the widow of John
Southworth, a grandson of Sir John, the recusant, and nephew of the soi-disant Thompson. Upon
her the chief interest in this extraordinary trial gathers. Unlike the great majority of those accused
of holding communion with the evil one, she was no poor, houseless mendicant, or aged beldame
with gobber tooth and stooping gait ; nor had she " the wrinkles of an old wine's face," which was
accepted as "good euidence to the jurie against a witch," but a lady well connected and of
considerable property —
" Of an unquestion'd carriage, well reputed
Among her neighbours, reckoned with the best."
She was the daughter of a Lancashire, knight of great influence and large possessions. Sir Richard
Sherbourne, of Stonyhurst, and herself the mother of the future lord of Samlesbury. She was,
moreover, young, and, it may be reasonably supposed, not without personal attractions, and had
become a widow only a few months before the charge of witchcraft was brought against her, a
circumstance, it might have been expected, that would have spared her the persecution of her
deceased husband's Jesuitical kinsman. The other persons named were all dependents of the
Southworth family, or tenants on the Samlesbury estate.
The judge. Sir Edward Bromley, in addressing the convicted prisoners, when sentence of death
was passed upon them, made a parade of clemency and impartial justice, which was only to be
discovered in his words : " You," said he, '■ of all people, have the least cause of complaint ; since
on the trial for your lives there hath been much care and pains taken ; and what persons of your
nature and condition were ever arraigned and tried with so much solemnity ? The court hath had
great care to receive nothing in evidence against you but matter of fact ! '' As you stand simply
(your offences and bloody practices not considered), your fate would rather move compassion than
exasperate any man ; for whom would not the ruin of so many poor creatures at one time touch, as
in appearance simple, and of little understanding ? But the blood of these innocent children, and
others his majesty's subjects, whom cruelly and barbarously you have murdered and cut off, cries
unto the Lord for vengeance. It is impossible that you, who are stained with so much innocent
blood, should either prosper or continue in this world, or receive reward in the next." Having
thus shut the door of hope, both in this life and the life that is to come, the judge proceeded to
urge the victims of superstition to repentance ; and concluded by sentencing them all to be hanged.
It would, probably, have occurred to the judges, that persons possessed of the power to kill their
enemies, and endowed with a capacity of locomotion that enabled them to fly over the laud or the
sea, might have slain their prosecutors, or mounted their familiars and taken flight, had not the
dogma promulgated by King James answered this objection in limine: "When the witches are
apprehended and detained by the lawful magistrates," says the royal commentator, " their power
IS then no greater than before that ever they meddled with these matters."' This, indeed, is a
' The Rev William Leigh, and Edward ChisnaU, Esq. prisoner. The Weeding ot the corpse on the touch of the sorceress, one
i„ .-rpr-'^"''! ft, '^^°'*" ,, ,, ?="»'osburywitchea" will be found of the absurd and now exploded superstitions insisted upon by King
/^ ^'l^. ,^ Ancient Hall of Samlesbury," by James Croston. James, was advanced on oath, on the trial of Jennet l>restoa, as an moon-
aot/ungM vuuter oj jact.>--Vlhy, to prove the guilt of one of the trovortible evidence of guilt ; and yet the judge upon the bench declares
S.^, f T'*'*"^. , "^"i '?*" ™<=\™'l,tliat It was the opinion of a man, not in that no evidence was received against the prisoners but matter of fact,
court, that she had turned his beer sour ; and tu prove tlie charge ot Uis lordship would have approached much noai-cr the truth If he had said
murder, it was thought sufficient to attest that a sick person had declared that nothing but fiction was heaj-d in evidence,
his bUiet that he owed his approaching death to the maledictions of tha « King James's " Dajmonologie," cliap. vi.
CHAP. XIV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 275
necessary part of the doctrine, otherwise Elizabeth Device and her associates might as easily and
as invisibly have conveyed themselves from the bar of the castle of Lancaster, as from the witch
convention at Malkin Tower. At the appointed time all these poor wretches died by the hands of
the public executioner— victims, no doubt in part, of their own fraudulent arts, resorted to for the
purpose of eking out a miserable subsistence— but, much more, sacrifices offered upon the altars of
ignorance and superstition.
At the assizes at York, in the summer of the same year (1612), Jennet Preston, of Gisborn, was
broughtto trial before Sir James Altham, charged with having attended the great witch meeting
at Malkin Tower, in Lancashire, on the Good Friday preceding, and with having murdered Thomas
Lister, Esq., of Westby, in Craven, by witchcraft. In support of these charges it was deposed by
Anne Robinson, probably one of the family of the Lancashire witch-finders, that when Mr. Lister
was lying in extremity upon his death-bed, he cried out to them that stood about him, " Jennet
Preston is in the house, look where she is ! take hold of her ; for God's sake shut the doors, and
take her ! Look about for her, and lay hold on her, for she is in the house ! " and so crying, he
departed this life. Other witnesses deposed that after Mr. Lister was dead, and laid out in his
winding sheet, Jane Preston was brought to touch the dead body, on which fresh blood presently
gushed out in the presence of all those that were in the room.^ This appears to have been the
only evidence against the prisoner, except that which was contained in the examination of James
Device, the grandson of Old Demdike, who deposed before Roger Nowell and Nicholas Bannister,
two Lancashire magistrates, that Jennet Preston, the prisoner, was present at the great witch
meeting at Malkin Tower on the memorable Good Friday, and that she came to the meeting
mounted upon a spirit like unto a white foal, with a black spot in the forehead ; that at this meet-
ing she asked the aid of the witches and wizards assembled to kill Mr. Thomas Lister, and that they
consented to entangle him in the meshes of their net of enchantment, and in the end to destroy
him ; on which she gave them an invitation to attend another witch feast on the next Good Friday
on Romeles (Rombald's) Moor, and then mounting her spirit she took flight through the air, and
became invisible. This strange mass of absurdities satisfied the judge of the prisoner's guilt, who
summed up the evidence, if evidence it could be called, strongly against her; but the jury, somewhat
more scrupulous, spent the greatest part of the day in deliberation ; in the end, however, they returned
a verdict of guilty, and the poor unfortunate wretch ended her life on the gallows, denying firmly
her guilt, and accusing, with a great deal of truth, her prosecutors of the crime of murder. It does
not appear that the rack was resorted to in Lancashire, but if the rack was not applied the gallows
was in frequent use ; and a man of the name of Utley, a reputed wizard, was hanged at Lancaster
about the year 1630, for having bewitched to death Richard, the son of Ralph Assheton, Esq., of
Downham, and lord of Middleton.^
At the assizes at Lancaster, in 1633-4,' another batch of reputed witches, consisting of
seventeen in number, was brought to trial from the usual resort in Pendle Forest. The
informations were laid before Richard Shuttleworth, of Gawthorpe, Esq., and John Starkie,
Esq., on the 10th of February, 1633-4, the latter of whom had figured as one of the
possessed amongst the seven demoniacs at Cleworth, in the year 1597. The principal
evidence against the prisoners was Edward Robinson,^ the son of Edmund Robmson, of
Pendle, mason, who deposed that two greyhounds had been transformed into witches. That
one of the witches there, Dickenson's wife, had conveyed him before her on horseback to a
meeting at Hoarestones, where a convocation of witches, amounting to threescore or thereabout,
had assembled to regale themselves ; that one of them, Loynd's wife, he had seen sitting upon a
piece of cross wood in his father's chimney ; that afterwards he had met and fought with a boy,
who turned out to have a cloven foot ; that in a neighbouring barn he had seen three witches
taking pictures, into which they had stuck thorns ; and that, at the meeting at Hoarestones, all
the persons now in confinement for witchcraft were present. The only evidence that appears m
confirmation of this testimony is that of Edmund Robinson, the father, who had himself been a
witness against the Lancashire witches of 1612, which amounts merely to this— that he heard his
son cry pitifully, and that the boy told him all that was contained in his deposition.
absent as well a? when they are present. This te,t ought therefore to S" X.Tin the Lmme'r of 1?38 4!ard wL then c"r„wned It Eolyrood.-C.
te exploded , wr, ii..„ •■ „ Roa * The prototype of Matthew Hopkins, the south-country witchflnder.
= Dr. Whitaker's " History of Whalley, p. 628. ai^TOaltprWt in his nreface to ''The Wonderful Discovery of Witches in
condemned, and that there are at least 60 already discovered, and yet Forest.— 0.
276 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiv.
Upon this evidence all the seventeen prisoners were found guilty, and sentenced to be
executed. But the iudge very properly respited the execution ; and on the case being reported to
the king in council, the Bishop of Chester, Dr. Bridgman, was required to investigate the
circumstances. This inquiry was instituted at Chester, and four of the convicted witches —
namely, Margaret Johnson, Frances Dickenson, Mary Spencer, and the wife of Hargraves — were
sent to London, and examined, first, by the king's physicians and surgeons, and afterwards by the
kino' himself. Charles I., less prone to credulity than his father, having satisiied himself that the
charge against these poor creatures was groundless, extended to them the royal clemency, and so
well was the case of those left behind represented by the singular delegation that all the seventeen
received a free pardon. It is not the least extraordinary part of these most extraordinary tran-
sactions that, previous to the trial, Margaret Johnson, of Marsden, one of the prisoners, had been
so acted upon by the terrors of her situation, that she actually made a confession of her own guilt,
attended with circumstances which would, if true, have ended in her execution. According to
this deposition, Johnson had sold her soul to a spirit, or devil, in the similitude of a man, to whom
she gave the name of Mamilian, who had promised to supply all her wants. It is diiiicult to
imagine how voluntary confessions of crimes never committed could be obtained from persons who
were liable to forfeit their lives, and frequently did forfeit them, on their own accusation. But
the fact is undeniable. Sir George Mackenzie, himself a believer in witchcraft, and who, as the
king's advocate, had conducted many trials in Scotland for that crime, speaking upon the judicial
confession of the criminals themselves, says —
" Those poor persons who are ordinarily accused of this crime are poor ignorant creatures, and oft-times women, who understand
not the nature of what they are accused of, and many, mistaking their own fears and apprehensions for witchcraft, when they are
defamed, become so confounded with fear, and the close prison in which they are kept, and so starved for want of meat and sleep
(either of which wants is enough to disorder the strongest reason), that hardly wiser or more serious people than they would escape
distraction ; and when persons are confounded with fear and apprehension, they wUl imagine things very ridiculous and absurd.
Most of those poor creatures are tortured by their keepers, who, being persuaded they do God good service, think it their duty to
vex and torment poor prisoners. I went," continues Sir George, "when I was a justice-depute, to examine some women who had
confessed judicially, and one of them, who was a silly creature, told me, under secrecy, that she had not contest because she was
guilty, but being a poor creature, who wrought for her meat, and being defamed for a witch, she knew she would starve, for no
person thereafter would either give her meat or lodging, and that all men would beat her, and hound doi;s at her, and that,
therefore, she desired to be out of the world ; whereupon she wept most bitterly, and upon her knees called God to witness what
she said."
The account of these transactions given by Dr. Webster, in his "Display of Witchcraft,"
serves to show the consternation and alarm which must have been felt in those daj^s, particularly
amongst the old and decrepit, from the machinations of the witch-linders. Of the boy Robinson
he says — ^
" This said boy was brought into the church at Kildwick [in Yorkshire, on the confines of Lancashire], a large parish churclii
where I, being then curate there, was preaching in the afternoon, and was set upon a stool to look about him, which moved some
little disturbance in the congregation for a while. After prayers I inquired what the matter was. The people told me that it was
the boy that discovered witches ; upon which I went to the house where he was to stay all night, where I found him and two very
unlikely persons, that did conduct him and manage the business. I desired to have some discourse with the boy in private ; but
that they utterly refused ; then, in the presence of a great many people, I took the boy near me and said, ' Good boy, tell me
truly and in earnest, didst thou see and hear such strange things at the meeting of witches as is reported by many that thou didst
relate ? ' _ But the two men, not giving the boy leave to answer, did pluck him from me, and said he had been examined by two
able j-ustices of the peace, and they did never ash him such a question. To whom I replied the persons accused had therefore the
more wrong." As government spies multiply traitors, so professional witch-finders create witches. " The boy Robinson," says
Dr. Webster, " in more mature years, acknowledged that he had been instructed and suborned to make these accusations against
the accused persons by his father and others, and that, o£ course, the whole was a fraud. By such wicked means and unchristian
practices divers innocent persons lost their lives ; and these wicked rogues wanted not greater persons (even of the ministry too)
that did authori-se and encourage them in their diabolical courses ; and the like in my time happened here in Lancashire, where
divers, both men and women, were accused of supposed witchcraft, and were so unchristianly and inhumanly handled as to be stript
stark naked, and laid upon tables and beds to be searched for their supposed witch-marks, so barbarous and cruel acts doth diabolical
instigation, working upon ignorance and superstition, produce." ^
Not only persons of the ministry but the king himself, as we have seen in the last reign,
authorised and encouraged these diabolical courses, not omitting the witch-mark in his descriptions.'
' Webster's " Display of Witchcraft," p. 276. (1018), by " Michael Dilton, Lincoln's Inn. Gent."-who was probably a
" 1 He cruel process was to strip the supposed witch naked, and thrust Lancashire man— there are some passages that have reference to this
pms into various parts of the body, to discover what tho royal demonolo- combined delusion and imposture : "Now, against these witches," says
gist called tie witch-mark, or the devil s stigma-that is, a part of the this legj luminary, "the lustices of peace may not alwaies expect direct
body insensible to pain, and which was supposed to be possessed by the euidence, seeing all their works are tho works of darknesse, and no wit-
devil as a sign of his sovereign power, and as the place at which the imps nessos present with them to accuse them ; and therefore, for their better
suclied 1 bometimes the accused were thrown into a river, or pond, discouerie, I thought good here to insert certaine obseruations out of the
having their thumbs and tues tied together, where, it they sank, they booke of disoouery of the witches that were arraigned at Lancaster, Ann.
were held innocent, but if they swam, were dragged forth to prison. On Dom. 1612, before Sir lames Altham and Sir Edw. Bromely, ludges of
other occasions the suspected witch was bound cross-legged on a stool, Assize there.
there to be watched, and kept without meat or sleep for the space of "1 They hauo ordinarUy a familiar, or spirit, which appeareth to
four-and-twenty hours, within which time it was supposed that her imp them
would make her a visit and in that way betray her. ' ■ 2. Their said familiar hath some bigg or place vpon their bodv,
Bishop Jewel, when preaching a sermon before Queen Elizabeth, where he sucketh them,
exhorted her niajesty to use her authority to check the "tremendous "3 They haue often pictures of clay, or waxe (like a man, &c.
operations of the devil by exterminating his agents— the witches and found in their house,
wizards, who were then very numerous." In the "Covntrey Ivstioe" '■ 4. If the dead body bleed vpon the witches touching it
CHAP. XIV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 277
It must not, however, be supposed that all who countenanced these impositions were themselves
fools or impostors, for amongst the judges of the land who gave into the delusion we find the
venerable name of Sir Matthew Hale.^
One of the Lancashire witches having, as it appears, quitted her native county, and
wandered into Worcestershire, in consequence of the distress occasioned by the civil wars, which
the poor are always the first to feel, this wretched mendicant, a more fit object of compassion than
of terror, was found by a wicked boy, who protested that she had by her sorceries deprived him of
speech. On what kind of evidence this charge was raised may be easily conjectured; and though
the fate of the poor woman is not distinctly stated, there is but too much reason to suppose, from
the avidity with which Avitches were in those times pursued, and the relentless cruelty with which
they were persecuted, that on this evidence she was tried and executed.
Although trials for mtchcraft Avere by no means unusual in the time of the Commonwealth,
and though no fewer than three hundred reputed witches were tried, and the major part of them
executed, in the period between the deposition of Charles I. and the death of his son and successor,
in the southern counties of England, yet we only find two cases of this kind of judicial homicide in
the county of Lancaster within that agitated period, and these are mentioned somewhat vaguely
by Dr. Webster, who say, " I myself have known two supposed witches to be put to death at
Lancaster within these eighteen years - that did utterly deny any league or covenant ivith the
devil, or even to have seen any visible devil at all. And may not the confession of those (who both
died penitent) be as well credited as the confession of those that were brought to such confessions
by force, fraud, or cunning persuasion and allurement ?"
But there was a very memorable case of supposed demoniacal possession and dispossession in
the close of the seventeenth century, with which we shall conclude this very curious portion of our
county history. The case to which we refer is that of Richard Dugdale, the Surey demoniac, and
the story, though a very long one, may be told in a few sentences. Dugdale, it appears, was a
youth just rising into manhood, a gardener by trade, living with his parents at Surey in the parish
of Whalley, addicted to pleasure and distinguished even at school as a posture-master and
ventriloquist. During his possession he was attended by six Dissenting ministers, the Rev. Messrs.
Thomas Jolly, Charles Sagar, Nicholas Kershaw, Robert Waddington, Thomas Whally, and John
Carrington, who were occasionally assisted at their meetings, held to exorcise the demon, by the
Rev. Mr. Frankland, Mr. Pendlebury, and the Rev. Oliver Heywood. According to the narration
put forth under the sanction of these names, which is called —
"An account of Satan's acting in and about the body of Richard Dugdale, and of Satan's removal thence through the Lord's
blessing of the within-mentioned Ministers and People ;" -when Dugdale was about nineteen years of age he was seized with an
affliction early in the year 1689, and from the strange fits which violently seized him he was supposed to be possessed by the devil.
When the fit was upon him " he shewed great despite," says the narrative, " against the ordinary of God, and raged as if he had
been nothing but a devil in Richard's bodily shape ; though, when he was not in his fits he manifested great inclination to the word
of God and pr=yer, for the exercise of which in his behalf he desired that a day of fasting miijht be set apart as the only means from
which he could'expect help, seeing that he had tried all other means, lawful and unlawful." ^ Meetings were accordingly appointed
of the ministers, to whi^h the people crowded in vast numbers. These meetings began on the 8th of May, and were continued about
twice a month till the February following. At the first meeting the parents of the demoniac were examined by the ministers, and
they represented "that at Whalley rush-burying [or bearing], on the James's-tide, in July 1688, there was a great dancing and
drinking, when Richard offered himself to the devil on condition that he would make him the best dancer in Lancashire." After
becoming extremely drunk he went home, where several apparitions appeared to him and presented to him all kinds of dainties and
fine clothing, with gold and precious things, inviting him at the same time "to take his fill of pleasure." In the course of the day
some compact or bond was entered into between him and the devil, and after that his fits grew frequent and violent. While in
these fits his body was often hurled about very desperately,^ and he abused the minister and blasphemed his Maker. Sometimes
he would fall into dreadful fits, at other times he would talk Greek and Latin, though untaught. Sometimes his voice was small
and shrill, at others hoUow and hideous. Now he was as light as a bag of feathers, then as heavy as lead. At one time he upbraided
the ministers with their neglect, at others he said they had saved him from hell. He was weather-wise and money-wise by turns ;
he could tell when there would be rain and when he should receive presents. Sometimes he would vomit stones an inch and a half
square and in others of his trances there was a noise in his throat as if he was singing psalms inwardly. But the strongest mark
of demoniacal possession consisted in a lump which rose from the thick of bis leg, about the size of a mole, and did work up hke
Buch a creature towards the chest of his body till it reached his breast, when it was as big as a man s fist, and uttered strange voices.''
He opened his mouth at the beginning of his fits so often that it was thought spirits went in and out of him. In agility he was
unequalled, " especially in dancing, wherein he excelled all that the spectatours had seen, and all that mere morta s could perform ;
the Demoniac would, for six or seven times together, leap up so as that part of his Legs might be seen s^iaking and quavering above
the heads of the People, from which heights he oft fell down on his knees, which he long shivered and traverst on the ground at
least as nimbly as other men can twinckle or sparkle their Fingers, thence springing up in to s high leaps again and then falling
on his Feet, which seem'd to reach the Earth, but with the gentlest and scarce perceivable touches when he made his highest leaps.
And yet the divines by whom he was attended most unjustly rallied the devil for the want of skill m his pupd after this fashion :
,,._,.,. , ., „„„„ i,„..t ^r,nT> tiia Hfiith ^ The Dootor's book is dated Feb. 23, 1673, so that it is probable the
6 SI I'^^Son andSei VtCchUdvea^ servants of execution took place about the year 1654 ' We have attempted, but with-
8. Ihe examination ana ooniession oi uio i.ii. u ^^^ success, to ascertain the date from the Criminal Records in Lancaster
■■r. Th£own^vo,untai7 confession, which exceeds all other Castle,,_wMch are^very^de^fec^^^ ^
' At the'^MSizestt BuJy St Edmunds, in 1664, Amy Dunny and Rose ' Ibid, p. 4.
Cullender were tried before Sir Matthew, and, being oonvicted, were /('»"', P- <>"■
banged, both protesting that they were innocent.
278 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiv.
" Cease, Dancing Satan, and be gone from him," says the Rev. Mr. Carrington, addressing himself to the devil. " Canst thou Dance
no better, Satan? Ransack the old Records of all past times and places in thy memory, Canst thou not there find out some other way of
finer trampling? Pump thine invention dry ! Cannot that universal Seed-plot of subtile Wiles and Stratagems spring up one new-
method of cutting capers ? Is this the top of skill and pride to shuffle feet and brandish knees thus, and to trip like a Doe and skip
like a Squirrel, and wherein differs thy leapings from the hoppings of a Frog, or bounces of a Goat, or friskings of a Dog, or
gesticulations of a Monkey ? And cannot a Palsey shake such a loose Leg as that ? Dost not thou twirle like a Calf that has the
turn, and twitch up thy Houghs just like a spring-hault tit ? " In some of his last fits he announced that he must either be killed
or cured before the 25th of March. This, says the deposition of his father and mother and two of his sisters, proved true, for on the
24th of that month he had his last fit, the devil being no longer able to withstand the means that were used with so much vigour
and perseverance to expel him, one of the most eiJectual of which was medicine, prescribed in the way of his profession, by Dr.
Chew, a medical practitioner in the neighbourhood.
The Rev. Zachary Taylor asserts that the preachers, disappointed and mortified at their ill
success in Dugdale's case, gave it out that some of his connections were witches, and in contact
with the devil, and that they supposed was the cause Avhy they had not been able to relieve him.
Under this impression they procured some of the family to be searched, that they might see if
they had not teats or the devil's mark, and they tried them by the test of saying the Lord's Praj^er.
Some remains of the evil spirit seemed, however, still to have possessed Richard, for though after
this he had no fits, yet once, when he had got too much drink, he was after another manner than
drunken persons usually are.' In confirmation of which feats not only the eight ministers but
twenty respectable inhabitants affixed their attestation to a document prepared for the purpose ;
and three of the magistrates of the district — namely, Hugh Lord Willoughby, Ralph Egerton, Esq.,
and Thomas Braddill, Esq. — received depositions from the attesting parties. This monstrous mass
of absurdity, superstition, and fraud- — -for it was beyond doubt a compound of them all — was
exposed with success by the Rev. Zachary Taylor, the Bishop of Chester's curate at Wigan, one of the
king's preachers in the county of Lancaster ; but the reverend divine mixed with his censures too
much party asperity, insisting that the whole was an artifice of the Nonconformist ministers in
imitation of the pretended miracles of the Catholic priests, and likening it to the fictions of John
Darrell, B.A., which had been practised a century before upon the family of Mr. Starkie in the
same county. Of the resemblance in many of its parts there can be no doubt, but the names of
the venerable Oliver Heywood and Thomas Jolly form a suflficient guarantee against any
imposition on their part ; and the probability is that the ministers were the dupes of a popular
superstition in the hands of a dissolute and artful family.
Within living memory the superstitious terrors of witchcraft have prevailed in Lancashire to
an extent that has embittered the lives of the persons supposing themselves subject to this
grievous visitation. These, however, were only the remains of the popular mythology. During
the sixteenth century the whole region, in some parts of the county, seemed contaminated with
the presence of the witches ; men and beasts were supposed to languish under their charm ; and
the delusion, which preyed alike on the learned and the vulgar, did not allow any family to
suppose that they were beyond the reach of the witch's wand. 'Was the family visited by sickness,
it was believed to be the work of an invisible agency, which in secret wasted the image made in
clay before the fire, or crumbled its various parts into dust ; did the cattle sicken and die, the
witch and the wizard were the authors of the calamity ; did the yeast refuse to perform the office
of fermentation either in the bread or in the beer, it was the consequence of a had wish ; did the
butter refuse to come, the familiar Avas in the churn ; did the ship founder at sea, the wind of
Boreas was bloAvn by the lungless hag, who had scarcely sufficient breath to cool her OAvn pottage ;
did the Ribble overflow its banks, the floods descended from the congregated sisterhood at Malkin
Tower ; and the blight of the season, which consigned the crops of the farmer to destruction, was
the saliva of the enchantress, or the distillations from the blear-eyed dame, who flew by night
over the field m search of mischief To refuse an alms to a haggard mendicant, was to produce
for the family that had the temerity to make the experiment an accumulation of the outpourings
of the box of Pandora. To escape from terrors like these, no sacrifice was thought too great.
Superstitions begat cruelty and injustice. The poor and the rich were equally interested in
obtaining a deliverance ; and the magistrate who resided in his mansion at Read, and the peasant
who occupied the humblest cot amongst the hills of Cliviger, were alike interested in abating the
common nuisance,''
Nor -was the situation of the witch more enviable than that of the individuals or the famihes
over which she exerted her influence. Linked by a species of infernal compact to an imaginary
= AccorifnfftoaaiSe'ther?werepiBhtH!,=«»=Ar„-+ I, j- »■ -v j "The Lanoasldro -witches " -n-ereprmcipaUy fortune-tellers and conjurors,
by thfiroSrations flrk the^ivinef l?^^^^^^ ^^^ securities against witchcraft were numerous, hut the most popular
second the astroTorianstarLzTn^rt fortune-telhng witch ; was the horseshoe ; and hence we see in Lancashire so many thresholds
t^?, ? Vi » ^w +/!,,,^„„„'f • S'^^^f' planetary prognosticating witch ; ornamented with this countercharm. Mr. Roby, in Ms " Traditions of
S nnmhfr, fonrlh thp wtfi V ™^?*'''^ '"'"''' ^^° ™°*= ^y ^'S"^ Lancashire," h.« treated the subject with great vvacity and spirit and
or SZnr,^; w?tph ' »fvtr?hf ^.«t 1™'^°°?™ ^^}f^} ' Aftb, the exorcist his legendary tales serve to convey to the mind a vivW imr4'?i"n if flie
.|[crrp"Si;t .cfenS^l^t ffl"v^?ct!= li^l^; tr^nt'rom^n^e?: ^""'^ "' "" ''°^"^"- ^'^'^°'' " °"''^' ""^^-
CHAP. XIV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
279
imp, she was shunned as a common pest, or caressed only on the principle that certain of the
Iniian tribes pay homage to the devil. The reputed witches themselves weKquent^d^^^^^^^^
by then: iamdies, feared and detested by their neighbours, and hunted by the d^ogs aspS
monsters When m confinement, they were cast into the ponds, by way of trial^ punctuied bv
bodkins, to discover their imp-marks; sub ected to deprivation of' fbod, and keptT peJpetua^
motion, till con essions were obtained from a distracted mind. On their rials theV were^Sened
to with incredulity and horror, and consigned to the gallows with as little pity ^ the baSst of
malefactors. Their imaginary crimes created a thirst for their blood ; and people in all statTons
from the h:ghest to the lowest attended the trials at Lancaster, as we have^ se^n from Mr Pott's
record of the crinimal proceedmgs there, with an intensity of interest that their mischievous
powers, now divested of their stmg, so naturally excited.
o,.=,I=fn.^^^Tf i\^it«b«'-?;ft ^"id demoniacal possession was confined to no particular sect or
peisuasion. The Roraan Catholics,' the members of the Established Church of England the
Presby erians and Independents, and even the Methodists, though a sect of more recent standing,
have all fallen into this delusion ; and yet each denomination has upbraided the other with ^ross
superstition, and notunfr-equently with wilful fraud. Since the light of general knowledge has
chased away the mists of this once generally prevailing error, we all smile at these bitter
criminations and recriminations, which ought to guard us against the commission of similar faults
It is due, however, to the ministers of the Established Church to say that they were amon^^st the
first of our public writers to denounce the belief in witchcraft, with all its attendant mischiefs ■ and
the names of Dr. Harsnet, afterwards Archbishop of York; Dr. John Webster, the detector of
Robinson the Pendle Forest witch-hunter; of Zachary Taylor, one of the king's preachers for the
county ot Lancaster ; and of Dr. Hutchinson, chaplain in ordinary to His Majesty George I., are
all entitled to the public gratitude for their efforts to explode these pernicious superstitions, though
their merit is m some degree tarnished by an overweening solicitude to cast the imputation of
Ignorant credulity from their own community, and to fix it exclusively upon others.' For upwards
of a century the sanguinary and superstitious laws of James I. disgraced the English statute-book ;
but in the 9th year of George II. (1735-6) a law was enacted repealing the statute of James I., and
prohibiting any prosecution, suit, or proceeding against any person or persons for witchcraft,
sorcery, enchantment, or conjuration. In this way the doctrine of withcraft, with all its attendant
errors, was finally exploded, except amongst the most ignorant of the vulgar.^
To return to the chronological order of our history. In the year 1617, James I., on his return
from Scotland to London, passed through the heart of Lancashire, and there, in the midst of joy
and hilarity, sowed the seeds of discontent so wide and deep as to shake the stability of the throne.
Having arrived at Brougham Castle, on the 6th of August, he proceeded by way of Appleby and
Wharton to Kendal. Here he stopped two nights, when, entering Lancashire, he reached Hornby
Castle* on the 11th, and from thence proceeded to Ashton Hall, the mansion of Thomas, first
Lord Gerard. Having remained here one night he advanced to Myerscough, where the royal retinue
stopped two days, to enjoy the pleasures of the chase in the forest. Then, taking the route through
Preston, he went to Hoghton Tower, where he sojourned for three days. Thence he proceeded to
Lathom House, where he became the guest for two nights of the Earl of Derby ; and from thence
proceeded by Bewsey and Vale Royal, by easy stages, to London. Of the royal tour through
Lancashfre, Nicholas Assheton, Esq. of Downham, in the parish of Whalley, has preserved the
following account in his private journal : — ^
" [1617] June 1, Sunday. Mr. C(riatopher) P(arkinson) moved my brotlier [in-law] Sherborne from Sir Richard Hoghton, to
do him such favour, countenance, grace and curtesie, as to weare his clothe, and attend him at Hoghton, at the King's coming in
August, as divers other gentlemen were moved and would. He likewise moved mee. I answered I would bee willing, and readie to
doe Sir Richard anie service.
' See the Bull of Pope Innocent VIII. to the inqumtors of Almain, ■• Coue of Witchcraft.— By the 33 Henry VIH. cap. 8 (1641) persons
empowering them to detect and bum witches. The Bomiah church practising witchcr.ift are declared guilty of a capital felouy. This Act
appointed penances for converted witches ; anrl Cranmer, the Protestant was repealed by 1 Edw. VI. (1547). By the 5tli of Eliz. cap. 16 (1562),
Arehbisliop of Canterbury, in his articles of visitation, directs his clergy, persons using invocations of spirits, (fee, by which death shall ensue, are
in 1549, to inqxure aft^r any persons that use '* charms, sorcery, enchant- made hable to be punished with dexth ; otherwise liable to fine and
ments, witchcraft, soothsaying, or any like craft, invented by the devil," imprisonment. By 1 James I. cap. 12 (160.S), persons invoking or
which instructions were renewed in Elizabeth's reign, with the addition, consulting with evil spirits, taking up dead bodies for purposes of witch-
"especially in time of women's travail." Richard Baxter, a divine in craft (Seer Edward Kelley's otfence), or practising witchcraft, to the harm
deserved estimation amongst the nonconformists, was a firm believer in of others, are declared guilty of a capital felony ; by the 21st of the same
the possession and dispossession of devils, and his " World ot Spirits " king-, cap. 28 (1623), the crimes of declaring by wibchcraf t where treasure
abounds with proofs of his firm conviction of the reality of this popular is hidden, procuring unlawful love, or attempting to hurt cattle or
'delusion. persons, are rendered punishable for the first offence by pillory, and for
2 Among the letters in the State Paper Office is one dated May 10, the second by death. By 9 Goo. II. cap. 6 (1735), all the statutes against
1634, and addressed by Sir WUUam Pelham to Lord Conway, in which the witchcraft are repealed.
following passage occurs : " The greatest news from the country is of a * Mr. Nichols, in his "Progresses of King James I.' has mistaken
large pack of witches which are lately discovered in Lancashire, whereof the ancient seat of the Monteagles for Hornby Castle in Yorkshire, the
'tis said 19 are condemned, and that there are at least 60 already discovered, seat of the Duke of Leeds, and described the latter instead of the former,
and yet daily there are more revealed : there arc divers of them of good ' This Journal has since been edited by the Bev. Canon Elaines, and
abiUty, and they have done much harm. I hear it is suspected that they printed for the Chotham Society, as vol. 14 of their series.— H.
had a hand in raising the great storm, wherein his majesty (Charles I.)
was in so great danger at sea in Scotland."— C.
280 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiv.
" August 11. My brother (in-lnw) Sherborne his taylor brought him a suit of apparall, and us two others, and a livery cloake from
Sir Richard Hoghton, that we should attend him at the King's coming, rather for his grace and reputation, shoeing [showing] hie
neibors' love, than anie exacting of mean service.^
" August 12. Coz(en) Townley came and broke his fast at Dunnoo (near Slaidburn), and went away. To Mirescough. Sir
Richard gone to meet the King ; we after him to . There the King slipt into the [Myerscough] Forest another way, and we
after, and overtook him and went past to the Yate ; then Sir Richard light [alighted] ; and when the King came in his coach, Sir
Richard stept to his side, and tould him ther his Majestie's Forrest began, and went some ten roodes to the left, and then to the
Lodge. The King hunted, and killed a buck.
"August 13. To Mirescough, the Court. Cooz(en) Assheton came with as gentlemanlie servants as anie was ther, and himself
excellentlie well appointed. The King killed five bucks. The Kinge's speeche about libertie to pipeing and honest recreation. We
that were in Sir Richard's livery had nothing to do but riding upp and downe.
"August li. Us three to Preston ; ther preparation made for Sir Gilbert Hoghton, and other Knights. Wee were desyred to
be merrie, and at nyght were see. Steeven Hamerton and wyffe (of Hellifield Peel), and Mrs. Doll Lyster supped with us att our
lodging. All Preston full.
"August 15. The King came to Preston. Ther, at the Crosse, Mr. (Henry) Breares the lawyer (Recorder of Preston) made a
Speche, and the Corporation presented him with a bowle ; and then the King went to a Banquet in the Town Hall, and soe away
to Houghton ; ther a speche made." After the delivery of the Speech, as Mr. Assheton continues, the King " hunted, and killed a
stag. Wee attend on the Lords' table [i.e. at dinner].
"August 16. Hoghton. The King hunting; a great companie ; killed affore dinner a brace of staggs. Verie hott ; so he
went in to dinner. Wee attend the Lords' table, and about four o'clock the King went downe to the Allome-mynes,^ and was ther
an hower, and viewed them preciselie, and then went and shott at a stagg, and missed. Then my Lord Compton had lodged two brace.
The King shott again, and brake the thigh-bone. A dogg long in coming, and my Lord Compton shott again, and killed him [the
stag]. Late in to supper.
"August 17. (Sunday) Hoghton, Wee served the Lords with biskett, wyne, and jellie. The Bushopp of Chester, Dr. Morton,
preached before the King. To dinner. About four o'clock, ther was a rush-bearing and pipeing afore them, affore the King in the
Middle Court. Then to supper. Then, about ten or eleven o'clock a Maske of Noblemen, Knights, Gentlemen, and Courtiers, afore the
King, in the middle round in the garden. Some Speeches ; of the rest, dancing the JHuckler, Tom Bedlo, and the Cowp Justice of
Peace.
" August 18. The King [after knighting, at Hoghton Tower, Sir Arthur Lake, of Middlesex, and Sir Cecil Trafford, of Lancashire]
went away about twelve to Lathome. Ther was a man almost slayne with fighting. Wee back with Sir Richard. He to seller,
and drunk with us, and used us kindlie in all manner of friendlie speche. Preston ; as merrie as Robin Hood and all his fellowes.
" August 19. All this morning wee plaid the Bacchanalians.",
At Lathom House, the seat of William, sixth Earl of Derby, the king rested two nights ; and
on the 20th of August, before his departure, knighted Sir William Massey, Sir Robert Bindloss,
of Berwick, Sir Gilbert Clifton, Sir John Talbot, of Preston, Sir Gilbert Ireland, of The Hutt, and
Sir Edward Osbaldeston, of Osbaldeston, all of Lancashire.
The king then proceeded to Bewsey Hall, the seat of Thomas Ireland, Esq., on whom his
majesty, before his departure, conferred knighthood, as he did on Sir Lewis Pemberton, of Hert-
fordshire.^
On that Sunday on which the king was at Hoghton Tower (August 17) a petition was presented
to his majesty, signed principally by the Lancashire peasants, tradespeople, and servants, represent-
ing " that they were debarred from lawful recreations upon Sunday, after evening prayers, and upon
holy days, and praying that the restrictions imposed in the late reign might be withdrawn." The
origin of this complaint, as we have seen,-* was laid in the time of Elizabeth, who, in order to reform
the manners of the people, instituted a high commission in the year 1579. The commissioners
were— Henry, Earl of Derby, Henry, Earl of Huntington, William, Lord Bishop of Chester, and
others ; and at their sittings, which were held at Manchester, they issued orders throughout the
county against "pipers and minstrels playing, making and frequenting bear-baiting and bull-baiting,
on the Sabbath days, or upon any other days in time of divine service ; and also against super-
stitious ringing of bells, wakes, and common feasts ; drunkenness, gaming, and other vicious and
unprofitable pursuits." These restrictions the royal visitor thought incompatible with the privilege
of his subjects, whose complaints, as he says, "We have heard with our own ears, and which
grievances we promised to redress." In the fulfilment of this pledge he issued a proclamation,'
" against withholding recreation from the people on Sunday afternoon and evening," of which the
following is a copy : — ^
"BY THE KING.
" Whereas upon our returne the last yeere out of Scotland, Wee did publish Our pleasure touching the recreations of Our
people m those parts ynder Our hand : For some causes Us thereunto moouiog. We have thought good to command these Our
uMshed to all Our SuVecTs" ^'^'^ " ^"^ """""^^ thereunto added, and most appliable to these parts of Our Realmes to he
"Whereas We did iustly iu Our Progresse through Lan4shire, rebuke some Puritans and precise people, and tooke order that
the like vnlawful canage should not be vsed by any of them hereafter, in the prohibiting and vulawf ul punishing of Our good people
of EnKlinr^<Si^e^1ot'°on Icasta^ JZ^ t}'°" '""^ ?",' *''" Bontry Kich.rd Hoghton set up a very proBtaWc mine of allum nigh unto
ltcl?®5 the rS LmediaLv aW tf,™ Prf'^n*.. to woar the Hoghton Towor m tho Iluudrodf of Blackburn, within those few yoai'S,
!," E„ I St A™L™^ ™-t*?'?,. *.°.™..*^!'?5^_ y,"*^ «;?'-° !«. ^" ""^ent where ,to.o of very good alomo was mado and sold.'-C.
ta-^f ^Lw Holtn^ C^t '^''™ " -der.toodThat iTls app^^tog """^"SX's "ii^grTs^sTf Yingrros:" vol iii.-p"io5.
S m-ft- •'^°'^™™ ^ "™'^ ^^^ moroly as a token for good-will * Chnp. xiii. ^ , ^ y- uuj.
■' The alum mines, which appear to have been held by tho Hoghtons ° From^a rar"t)
under a lease from the crown were situated within a short distance of Public Library.-C.
Hoghton Tower. Webster, m his " History of Metala " (1B72), says • " Sir ^-iuraiy.
''l''i:^r<r^Tft^^:'t:^^llZ'"^^^^^^^ „ , l K^" ^ct m Smoeton's OoUeotion in the Manchestor Free
CHAP. XIV.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
281
for vsing their lawful Recreations and honest exercises upon Sundayes and other Holy dayes, after the afternoone Sermon or Seruice :
Wee now find that two sorts of people wherewith that Countrey is much infested (Wee meane Papists and Puritanes) haue
maliciously traduced and calumniated those Our iust and honourable proceedings. And therefore lest Our reputation might
upon the one side (though innocently) haue some aspersions layed upon it, and that upon the other part Our good people in
that countrey bee misled by the mistaking and misrepresentations of Our meaning: We haue therefore thought goode hereby to
cleare and make Our pleasure to be manifested to all Our good People in those parts.
"It is true that at Our first entry to this Crowne and Kingdome, Wee were informed, and that too truly, that Our County of
Lancashire abounded more in Popish Recusants than any Countie of England, and tlins hath stil continued to our great regreet,
with little amendment, saue that now of late, in Our last riding through Our said County, Wee find both by the report of the
Judges, and of the Bishop of that diocesi-e that there is some amendment now daily beginin^ which is no small contentment to Vs.
" The report of this growing amendment amongst them, made Vs the more sory, when with Our owne Fares wee heard the
generale complaint of Our people, that they were barred from all lawful recreation, and exercise vpon the Sundayes afternoone,
after the inding of all Divine Seruice, which cannot but produce two euils : The one, the hindering of the conuersion of many,
whom their Priests will take occasion hereby to vexe, perswading them that no honest mirth or recreation is lawfully or toUerable
in Our Religion, which cannot but breed a great discontentment in Our peoples hearts, especially of such as are peraduenture upon
the point of turning ; The other inconuenienoe is that this prohibition barreth the common and meaner sort of people from vsing
such exercise as may make their bodies more able for Warre, when Wee or Our Successors shall have occasion to use them ; and in
place thereof sets up filthy tiplings and drunkennesse, and breeds number of idle and discontented speaches in their Alehouses. For
when shall the common people haue leaue to exercise, if not vpon the Sundayes and Holidayes, seeing they must apply their labour
and winne their lining in all working dayes ?
HOQHTON TOWEK,
« Our expresse pleasure therefore is that the Laws of Our Kingdome, and Canons of Our Churches bee as well obserued in that
County,Ts in^othtTaces of this Our Kingdom. And on the other part that no lawM Recreation ^'^-^^^'^l^'^^^^^ll^ ^t
m due execution against t^em. . , ^^^^ ^;^,^ ^^ ^^e Puritans and Precisians
with::°ti7::r,'^eiS:rTni*si^w
Kingdome, and Canons of our Church, and so to strike f ^f ? °n b"nds^^ a^^^^^^^^^^
aduersaries of our Church. And as for our good peoples '^wfull Recreation, Our p ensure hkewise^stna^ ^^
Seruice, our good people be not disturbed, letted "^.^'^'^^^^'Sfi^o^^^y^ZT^^^^ M.ay Games Whitson- Ales,
women, Archerie for men, leaping, vaul ing, or any other such harmless Recrea^tion nor tromnaug y eonuenient
and Morris-dances, and the setting up of May-poles and °t^er sports therewith used bo ^ ^^^^^ ^^^
&:::s^f7:=.^tSid^e^r™;-f?^
c^i-r »:wr^:\re^fr^strand^^^^^^^^ - ^om^- - - ^^--
° 37
282 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xiv.
from coming to Church or diuine seruice, being therefore vnworthy of any lawfull recreation after the said seruice, that will not
first come to the Church and serue God : Prohibiting in like sort the said Recreations to any that, though conforme in Religion,
are not present in the Church at the Seruice of God, before their going to the said recreations. Our pleasure likewise is, That
they whom it belongeth in Office, shall present and sharply punish all such as in abuse of this Our libertie, will vse these exercises
before the ends of all diuine Seruices for that day. And we likewise straightly command, that euery person shall resort to his
owne Parish Church to heare diuine seruice, and each Parish by it aelfe to vse the said recreation after diuine seruice. Prohibiting
likewise any Offensive weapons to be carried or vsed in the said times of recreation, and Our pleasure is, That this our Declaration
shall be published by order from the Bishop of the Diocesse, through all the Parish Churches, and that both Our Judges of our
Circuit and our Justices of Our Peace be informed thereof.
" Giuen at our Mannour of Greenwich the foure-and-twentieth day of May in the sixteenth yeere of our Raigne of England,
France, and Ireland, and of Scotland the one and fiftieth.
GOD SAUE THE KING."
Subsequently his majesty further said "that his loyal subjects in all other parts of the
kingdom did suffer in the same kind, though perhaps not in the same degree, as in Lancashire, and
he did therefore publish a declaration to all his loving subjects, concerning lawful sports to be
used on Sundays and festivals," which was printed and published by his royal command in the
year 1618, under the title of " The Book of Sports," which the bishops were ordered to cause to be
read and published in all the parish churches of their respective dioceses, on pain of punishment
in the high commission court. Against this profanation of the sanctuary, Abbot, the intrepid
Archbishop of Canterbury, was amongst the first to enter his protest ; and being at Croydon on the
day that it was first to be read in the churches, he positively forbade the officiating minister to
obey the royal command.
In the early part of the reign of Charles I. that monarch, uninstructed by events, thought fit,
" for the ease, comfort, and recreation of his well-deserving people, to ratify and republish this his
blessed father's declaration ;" and the reason assigned was, " because of late, in some counties of
the kingdom, his majesty finds that, under pretence of taking away abuses, there hath been a
general forbidding, not only of ordinary meetings, but of the feasts of the dedication of churches,
commonly called wahes." His Majesty therefore expressed his royal will and pleasure that these
feasts, with others, should be observed ; and that the iustices of the peace, and the judges of assize,
should make known his gracious intentions, and that the bishops should cause his will to be
published in all the parish churches of their several and respective dioceses. The dissatisfation felt
by some of the clergy and many of the laity in Lancashire, and in all other parts of the kingdom, at
these reiterated injunctions to violate, as they considered it, the sanctity of the Sabbath, was one
of the causes of the civil wars, the approach of which was already foreseen by men of political
sagacity. By others the licence was hailed as a privilege. The effects of the " Book of Sports," at
the end of two centuries, are still visible in Lancashire ; and, as Dr. Whitaker has truly observed,
there is scarcely a village in the county which does not exhibit symptoms of obedience to the
injunction of "honest recreation,"
In addition to the honours already mentioned as conferred upon the gentry of the county of
Lancaster by King James, that sovereign knighted Sir Thomas Tildesley, on l.Sth of June, 1616, at
Wimbledon. The same year. Sir Hugh Parker, son of Lord Monteagle, was made a Knight of the
Bath, in honour of the creation of Prince Charles. Sir Gilbert Gerrard, of Harrow-on-the-Hill, a
junior branch of the family of Gerrard of Bryn, in Lancashire, was in 1620 advanced to the rank
of a baronet ; and Sir Ralph Ashton, of Lever, and Sir John Boteler attained the same honour in
the summer of that year. For Sir Richard Hoghton the king had the highest esteem. The name
of this gentleman appears in many of the royal masques and public entertainments ; and amongst
the archives of the family a note, with the royal autograph, is preserved.
It does not appear that the paternal government of King James, combined as it was with the
creation of the baronets of Ulster, had placed Ireland in a state of tranquillity, or even of security ;
for, near the end of this king's reign, we find the lords of the council writing a letter to the Earl of
Derby, as lord lieutenant, requiring that all Irishmen, passengers from any port in Lancashire or
Cheshire to their own country, should take the oath of allegiance, on pain of being sent to London,
in safe custody, for contumacy.
CHAPTER XV.
Death of James I.-Accession of Charles I.-Contests between the King and his Parliament-Lancashire Members-Lords-
Lieutenant-Breaking out of the Civil Wars in Lancashire-County Meeting-Summons of Lord Strange to Manchester-
Musters made by him in Lancashire-Impeachment of Lord Strange-Meeting of Loyalists at Preston-BIowing-up of
Hoghton Tower-Campaign of 1643-Act of Sequestration-Summons of the Duke of Newcastle to Manchester-Answer-
Mihtary Operations in Lonsdale Hundred-Assembly of Divines- Campaign of 1644-S;ege of Lathom House ; of Bolton ;
of Liverpool-Deplorable Condition of the People of Lancashire-Seal and Patronage of the Duchy-Military Possession of
the County by the Parliamentary Forces-Catalogue cf the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen of Lancashire who compounded
for their Estates in 1646- Classical Presbyteries of Lancashire-Campaign of 1648-Battle of Preston-Execution of King
Charles L— Campaign of 1651— Battle of Wigan Lane- Fatal Consequences of the Battle of Worcester— The Earl of Derby
made Prisoner— Tried and Esecuted-Duohy and County Palatine Courts-Summons of Oliver Cromwell of a Lancashire
Member— Sir George Booth's Failure to Raise the Royal Standard-General Monk's Success— Restoration of Charles II -
(a.d. 1625-1680).
N the 27lh March, 1625, after a reign over England of twenty-two years, the first
ot the Stuart kings — " the wisest fool in Christendom," as he has been styled — ■
died of a tertian ague at the palace of Theobalds. It was Mid-Lent Sunday,
Laud was preaching at Whitehall when the news reached London, and on the
afternoon of the same day the proud but dignified Charles was proclaimed
successor to the throne of his vain and vulgar father. Few princes have
succeeded to the crown under circumstances that seemed more to foreshadow
a reign of felicity ; none have encountered greater difficulties or experienced
greater misfortunes. " The face of the court," we are told, " was much changed in the change of
the king," but if so, it could only have been a forced homage to the decency and personal demeanour
of the sovereign, for Buckingham still reigned supreme. The possessor of the crown was changed,
but the administration of government was unaltered. The Parliament, which met for the first
time on the 18th of June, received the new king with every demonstration of loyalty, and Charles
in turn made a "fair speech," in which he assured the members that he had been " trained at the
feet of Gamaliel (meaning his faith), and all the world should see that none were more desirous to
maintain the religion he professed than himself." " We can hope everything from the king who
now governs us ! " exclaimed Sir Benjamin Rudyerd — the " Silver Trumpet " of the Long Parlia-
ment — in an outburst of enthusiasm. But there were men in that assembly with cooler heads than
Sir Benjamin Rudyerd, men who tempered their loyalty with caution, the old opponents of absolute
kingship, who were by no means sanguine as to the nature of the lessons of Gamaliel, and in whose
minds grave misgivings had arisen in the brief interval between the accession to the throne and
the meeting of Parliament. Charles inherited his father's inordinate notions of kingly power, and
he resolutely shut his eyes to the fact that he had to deal with an entirely different state of public
opinion. The accession of the Tudors had been followed by the break-up of the feudal system and
the effacement of many of the old landmarks of English society. A new class had sprung into
existence, eager for the acquirement of political freedom, and the king was unable or unwilling to
recognise the changed condition of things ; through no fault of his own he had fallen among
masterful circumstances, which it was impossible for him, Avith his narrow views and hereditary
prejudices, to mould to any safe issue, and his weak point, if not his damning fault, was that he
could not see, as other rulers have seen, that submission to the inevitable may often give a new
lease of authority. The power of the sovereign had waned, but that of the people had increased ;
Parliament, while bent upon abridging the ancient prerogative of the crown, was equally resolute
in the extension of its own. The king persisted in his determination to reign and govern by " divine
right," and the attempt to stretch the royal authority beyond its due Umits led to resistance by
force. Charles refused to yield anything, and in the fierce struggle which his obstinacy provoked
he fell. The assent to the Petition of Right in the third Parliament, though it won the grant of a
subsidy, came too late to restore confidence. Had that confirmation of the liberties, which were
already the birthright of Englishmen, been less tardily given and accepted as a final naeasureby
the strong-minded men who framed it, the kingdom might have been spared the calamity of civil
284 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xv.
slaughter- but wheu, on the one hand, popular leaders made that just and reasonable enactment
the vantage ground for direct attacks upon the ancient prerogative of the crown, and, on the other,
a distrustful sovereign withdrew in effect what he had previously, to the great joy of the nation,
conceded, a breach was made between king and people ; the trumpet-blast of discontent swept over
the country ; the seeds of strife were sown and nurtured both by king and Parliament, until even-
tually distrusting and wearied of each other neither cared for peace. The ill effects arising from
the neo-lect of that clear understanding which ought to have taken place between his predecessor
and the people of England, on the change of the Tudor for the Stuart dynasty, soon became mani-
fest. The evils of this great political blunder were exhibited in the arbitrary levy of ship-money
without the authority of Parliament ; in the revival of the forest laws, the cause of so many prose-
cutions, and of so much contention in ancient times in Lancashire ; and in the mistaken policy of
the new king in ratifying and enforcing the obnoxious Book of Sports, which- served, both here and
in several other counties of the kingdom, as a touchstone to distinguish, and as an apple of discord
to divide, the high-church party and the Puritans. To sustain these extraordinary proceedings,
and to put down all opposition, the council-table and the star-chamber' enlarged their jurisdiction
to a vast extent,^ " holding (as Thucydides said to the Athenians) for honourable that which pleased,
and for just that which profited." The king and the ardent friends of prerogative wished to govern
the country without a Parliament, so deej) was their disgust at the resistance made to the king's
demands for grants from the people ; and the supporters of the privileges of Parliament resolutely
determined to uphold these bulwarks of the national liberties, and persevered in doing so till the
sword was drawn, and they came to govern without a king. That Charles should have no liking
for Parliaments is not surprising. He was by no means unacquainted with history, and it must be
confessed there was little in the conduct of the Parliaments of previous sovereigns to inspire
admiration or command respect. A representative body that had permitted itself to become the
passive instrument of the tyrannical oppression of the Tudor princes could not appeal to the imagina-
tion with the same result that it can now after more than two centuries of free action. Charles, having
exhausted every expedient to raise money by his own authority, was obliged, after an intermission
of eleven years, to isAie his writs, calling together a Parliament, which assembled, according to
summons, on the 13th April, 1640 — the first since the dissolution in 1629. Robert Holt was
sheriff of the county at the time, and the writs under his hand bear date March 5th, 1639 (-40).
There were dark whispers of coming troubles, and for the first time in the history of the Lancashire
boroughs indifference to the franchise gave place to enthusiastic interest in the principles of the
candidates chosen. Instead of proceeding to grant supplies, the Parliament, which was composed
principally of country gentlemen, made it their first business to demand a redress of grievances,
and nothing but a speedy dissolution, after it had existed for three weeks, prevented them from
stopping that part of the public supplies which arose out of ship-money.^ The king and his
ministers struggled on for six months longer without Parliamentary aid; but on the 3rd of
November, fresh writs having been issued in the meantime, the Long Parliament was convened,
and their first business was to renew the cry of grievance and the demand for redress. This
assembly, so memorable in English history, consisted of five hundred members, and the following
is a list of the county and borough members for Lancashire : —
Lancashire. — Ralph Ashton, Esq., and Roger Kirby, Esq.
" / iomcasZer.— John Harrison, Knt., and Thomas Fanshaw, Esq.
Preston. — Ricbard Shuttleworth, Esq., and Thomas Standish, Esq.
Newton. — William Ashurst, Esq. and Roger Palmer, Kut.
Wigan. — Orlando Bridgman, Esq. and Alexander Rigby, Esq.
ClMeroe. — Ralph Ashton, Esq. and Richard Shuttleworth, Gent.
Liverpool. — John Moore, Esq. and Richard Wyn, Knt. and Bart.
One of the first acts of the House of Commons was to determine " whether the king should be
permitted to govern the people of England by his sole will and pleasure, as an absolute monarch,
and without the assistance of Parliament, as he had lately done, or whether he should be compelled
to admit the two houses of Parliament to a participation in the legislative authority with him,
according to the constitution of England ever since the first institution of the House of Commons
' ^ riot. Dot ™'y diasimilar to t^at which occurred in 16S9, took £26 ; borough of Wigan, £.50 ; borough of Clithero, £7 10s. : borough of
P ^^'L'^Ji. '^i°^';°''""°"''' °* ^'^^' ™ ^'^^ P^™^ °f Preston, in 1633, for Newton, £7 lOs. Yorkshire contributed two ships 600 tons, and
whic^ the oSenders were prosecuted in the court of Star Chamber, where £12,000 ; Hull, £140 ; Leods, £200 ; Bristol, 1 ship, 100 tons, 40 men, and
bir Richard Hoghton was fined £100, and other two of the rioters £60 £1,000 ; and London contributed seven ships, 4,000 tons, 1,660 men, and
^ i m J . ..rr- t £11, T,^„- ., , six months' pay. This impost, with some moaiflcations, continued for
, !d ? t •* ..^'''*-,°' ™'' KeoeUion, book i. three successive years, and the arre.-irs due from Lancashire at the end of
Teor J ii ^1. I'^yyii'e ship-money was issued by Charles I. in that period were £172 10s. In this year (1636) a levy of troops was made
1630, and the quotas required to be contributed by the several places upon ten of the counties in the north and centre of England, amounting
aJford some standard whereby to estimate the wealth and importance of to 19,483 foot and 1,233 horse, to which Lancashire was requu-ed to
those counties cities, and towns, nearly two centuries ago. The contribu- contribute 420 foot and 60 dragoons, and Yorkshire 6,720 foot and 60
tion of Lancashire was one ship of 400 tons, 160 men, and £1,000 in money ; horse. .
borough of Preston, £40 ; borough of Lancaster, £30 ; borough of Liverpool,
CHAP. XV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.' 285
in the reign of Henry III." Ttie decision of the house it was not difficult to anticipate. It
declared that the two houses of Parliament formed an integral part of the government of the
kingdom, and that to attempt to govern without them was an arbitrary and unconstitutional
exercise of the royal authority.^
In the same spirit an Act was passed wherein it was declared that the court of Star Chamber
was an arbitrary and tyrannical tribunal, unlmown to the ancient laws of the country, and in
violation of the provisions of the great charter, and that it should be finally and for ever abolished
from and afterthe 1st of August, 1641. By the same Act it was declared that the jurisdiction used
and exercised in the Star Chamber of the duchy of Lancaster, held before the chancellor and
council of that court, should also be abolished on the 1st of August.^ The abolition of the court of
Star Chamber was followed by an Act in which the county of Lancaster was almost equally
interested. This was the Act defining the limits of the forests in England, and thereby terminating
the exactions so long existing of the justices in eyre. In this way the tyrannical operation of the
forest laws in this county was brought to an end, and the people were no longer subjected to have
their estates and even their houses invaded by that odious jurisdiction.
The complaint of grievances was not confined to the House of Commons but extended also to
the constituent body, and the l-mights, squires, merchants, gentlemen, and freeholders of this
county presented a petition to Parliament, representing that a gross breach of privilege had taken
place at the election of knights of the shire for the county of Lancaster, unparalleled at any election
in the kingdom.'' The petitioners also complained, as they had done twelve months before, of
other grievances, and prayed that such persons as were found to have been instrumental in bringing
on arbitrary and insolent government might make reparation to their country, and from henceforth
be excluded from the exercise of that authority.' This petition was entrusted to a delegation of
gentlemen from the county of Lancaster, who were, contrary to the usage of tbe present time,
admitted to the house to present it, and informed by the speaker that the house found this
document to contain many weighty considerations, with great expressions of care and affection to
the commonwealth, and that the contents should be taken into serious consideration."
The Parliament had already assumed the prerogative of nominating both the lords-lieutenant
and the deputy-lieutenants of the counties ; and hence we find that, in the same year that the
Lancashire petition was received, Lord Strange (eldest son of the Earl of Derby) was nominated
by that authority lord-lieutenant of the county palatine of Chester, and Lord Wharton lord-
heutenant of the coimty palatine of Lancaster ; and the names of Sir George Booth, Mr. John
Moore, Sir Thomas Stanley, Mr. Alexander Rigby, of Preston, Mr. Dodding, Mr. Egerton, Mr. Ralph
Ashton, of Middleton, Mr. J. Hales, Sir William Brereton, Mr. Thomas Standish, of Duxbury, Sir
Ralph Ashton, of Downham, Ut. Robert Hide, Mr. Thomas Byrch, Mr. Edmund Hopwood, and Mr.
Jo. Bradshaw, were added, by nomination of the house, to be deputy-lieutenants of the county
palatine of Lancaster.'
The storm, which had been long gathering, was now ready to burst ; and in this portentous
year (1641) Mr. Ashton, Mr. Shuttleworth, Mr. Rigby, and Mr. Moore, members of Parhament,
were enjoined by the House of Commons to proceed into Lancashire to see the ordinance of the
militia put in force in the county. These orders were speedily followed by others to put the
county in a state of defence, for which purpose forces were sent into Lancashire, and directions
were given to the deputy-lieutenants, and other officers in the county, to disarm and secure all
recusants and other " malignants." That offices of public trust might be filled by men devoted to
the Parliament, Edward Lord Newburgh, chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster, was directed by the
House of Commons forthwith to issue out commissions of peace to Sir Ralph Assheton, Bart.; Ralph
Assheton, of Mddleton, Rich. Holland, John Bradshaw, William Radclitle, Rich. ShuttlewOTth,
John Braddyll John Starkie, Esquires ; Sir Tho. Stanley, Bart.; Jo. Holcrofte, Tho. Standish, Geo.
Doddhig Tho Fell, and Peter Egerton, Esquires. And it was further ordered that his lordship
should immediately discharge Sir Gilbert Hoghton, Knight and Baronet ; Robert Holt, oi Stubley,
institSted by Henry VII. in contravention of the provisions of Magna "^JJ .°' "^ P^JXf^uch oxocnsrandTo privately aa to escape the most
Charta. It was composed of a committee selected from the Lords of tlie fc^^tTcL "h .f tE»^^^^^^ to obtain them.
CouncU, a tribunal that was bound by no law but which decided cases ^''f ''' ""? 'Sf.eovcrv thev were sent tato Suirey and Ksscx, and finally
brought before it that involved the security of life and property. It was ,1° l^^th Dr B^iw thrUbraiTi to whom the col-
through the instrumentaUty of this court that the Tudors and the earlier odgcd with Ur. BaUow, ™'' ^^f ^^7 ^°^P«„' ^^^^ ^^,.' ^-emoved to tho
Stuarts perpetrated most o/their arbitrary enactments. -C. lectors ^onhdedjliem.^ most fit dJJSory? and presouted fin^Oly by the
^ f ^'i^jp^i^^^ZX;^'^"' "' '-'''''''' "' ""'' Tu'^r^f trlfor^f'i;!^; March I, 1..1.
'"'Stirmt'T^n^'co'uSni^S'b.l'iisl Museum inscribed
"Qlftof George 111." This collection contains, among other treasures,
286 JHE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chAp. xt.
Alexander Rigby, of Burgh, John Greenhalgh, Edm. Assheton, Sir Alexander Radcliffe, William
Farington, Orlando Bridgman, Sir Edw. Wrightington, and Roger Kirkeby, Esquires, from being
further employed as commissioners of the peace within the said county.^
That the garrison in the interest of Parliament in Manchester might be supplied with
ordnance, Mr. Ralph Assheton was furnished with the speaker's order for the conveyance of four
small pieces of brass cannon to that place, with one similar piece for the safety of his own house
at Middleton. It was further ordered that one thousand dragoons should be raised for the safety
of the county of Lancaster,' in compliance with the wishes and desires of the well-affected people
of that county, who, foreseeing the danger with which they were menaced, petitioned Parliament
for protection and support against " the papists and other malignants " [the king and his con-
fidential advisers and adherents being virtually, though not expressly, included in the number]
"Avho had associated and raised great forces, both horse and foot, to oppress and distress the well-
aflected subjects in the counties of York, Northumberland, Westmorland, and Cumberland, and in
the counties palatine of Durham, Chester, and Lancaster." For carrying this purpose into effect,
it Avas ordered by the House that all lords-lieutenant, deputy-lieutenants, colonels, and other
inhabitants of these counties, should associate themselves, and. mutually aid and assist one another
by raising forces of horse and foot, and leading them into places which should be most convenient
and necessary ; and, by all other good ways and means whatsoever, suppress and subdue the
popish and malignant party in these counties, and preserve the peace of the kingdom according
to the order and declarations of Parliament." The preparations for civil war being now nearly
matured, it was ordered that lord-general the Earl of Essex, commander of the Parliamentary forces,
should be requested by Parliament to appoint Lord Fairfax the commander-in-chief of the
northern coimties, in the absence of his excellency, with power to make and appoint other officers.
All these preparations naturally required the sinews of war ; it was therefore ordered that money
should be borrowed for the defence of Lancashire, and that such money or plate as Mr. Thomas
Case, or any other person duly qualified, should underwrite for the defence of this county, and the
reduction of the malignant party here, should have the public faith pledged for its repayment,
with eight pounds per cent, per annum interest — the money to be issued for the use of the county
by warrants under the hands of any four members of the House of Commons serving for this
county.'' Bills to the amount of four hundred thousand pounds, to be disbursed for the protection
of Lancashire and Cheshire, were then issued, with the strict injunction that no part of this money
should be employed against the Parliament, but preserved sacredly for its service. Instructions
to this effect were sent to the deputy-lieutenants of Lancashire, and the same instructions, mutatis
mutandis, were sent to those of Cheshire. Although the greatest exertions had been made to
reinforce the English troops in Ireland, and Mr. John Moore had been sent down by Parliament
with express instructions to Sir William Brereton, enjoining him to transport the horse troops that
were in Lancashire and Cheshire without delay to that country, the rebellion and massacre, so
memorable in the history of Ireland, took place this year (1641), and a great number of the refugees
sought an asylum in Lancashire. The fugitives, naked and destitute, found their way to Liverpool,
told their harrowing tales of robbery and murder, and sought the hospitality and charity of the
county.^ In the height of party rage the king was charged by his enemies with being accessory
to these atrocities ; and this rumour, though totally unfounded, served still further to alienate the
affections of his subjects in all parts of the kingdom, and to aggravate the popular ferment in
Lancashire. The Puritans exclaimed that the multitudes of Papists dwelling among them would
repeat within the county the bloody scenes which had been transacted in the sister kingdom,
seeing that they were actuated by Hke hellish principles. A request was therefore made to Lord
1 Journals of the House of Commons, October 2i, 1641. murder of their husbands, mothers of their children— barbai-ously des-
ine Kmg, in tumselt, had no power of calling upon his subjects to troyed before their faces. Some, over-wearied with long travel, and so
Dear arms, except m rcstormg order and for the defence of the realm surbatcd, came creeping on their knees : others, frozen with cold, ready
agamst a loreign enemy, biit on the other hand such a power had never to die in the streets. The city was thus fiUed with the moat lamentable
oeen exercisea oy the two Houses of Parliament without the assent of tho spectacles of sorrow, which, in great numbers, wandered up and down
kmg, and when he refused consent to the MiUtia Bill, which would have all parts, desolate, forsaken, having no place to lay their heads on, no
given ine commana ot the national force in every county to men devoted clothing to cover them, no food to fUl their hungry bellies. The popidi
t?,M7f ™'i=''a<'?'t='fy "^ausc, he was only acting in accoraance with consti- inhabitants refused to minister the least comfort to them, so as those sad
v.™^„„t^ fr 1™ ■ 1 P'^J^'s broke through that constitutional creatures appeared like ghosts iu every street. Barns, stables, and out-
S! StH» t "^ levying forces by royal commissions ot an-ay, and houses were fiUed with them, yet many lay in the open streets ; and these
^,^inl„;. Tti „ t appomtmg lords leutenant of the militia, by the miserably perished." Of the numbers that perished it is rash to offer so
ordinance of the two Houses without the assent of the Crown. -0. much as a conjecture. In the midst of excitement so terrible extreme
'* rtU Nov°" li^l"""^ Commons, Nov. 17, la-U. exaggeration was inevitable, and the accounts were more than usually
ti »,,''' J. ■ --, loll- . , hard to clicck, because the Catholics, in their fii-st triumph, were as eager
»i^„=f „?n (- 11 '^™™i • ^ au™S tins insurrection in Ireland are to make the moat of their success, as the Protestants to magnify then-
almost without pa,rallel m history, i roude, in his ' ' English in Ireland, ' ' calamity. In tho first horror it was said that 200,000 persons had perished
nas e.iven a grapnic uescription ot the scenes enacted. Sir Jolin Temple in six months. For these enormous figures the Catholic priests were res-
ni'f f,'^™"" ■ '^V •l'^'"-? '^i'""-" P''™'"e """^er his own eyes that ponsiblc. Thoy returned the numbers of tho killed iu their several
intttfi?^'''' .. if .f.^'^'', '°2 It nscs into a tone of profound and tragic parishes up to March, 10-13, as 154,000. To these may have been conjec-
.tiii^oJ. A ^^^"'tudes of lingliiih, he says, " daily camu up in troops, turally added tho crowds who died ot exposure, want, or the plague in
n™ ifi miserably despoiled ; persona of good rank and quality, Dublin and tho other towns. Sir John Temple considered that 150,000
^iJt^ r*^ ^ * "li-j'^Sf. i"itl even without any covering but a Uttlo peiished in two months, or 300,000 in two years. At the trial of Lord
twisted straw to hide their nakedness. Wives came lamenting tho Alaguyre the figures were sworn at 162,000.— C.
CHAP. XV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
287
Strange, the lord lieutenant of the county, that the Protestants might be furnished with arms
and ammunition, as the means under God, of their lawful defence against their malignant
enemies, the expenses of which they proposed to discharge out of the county levies.
The king, having despatched his queen, with the Prince of Orange and the youno- Princess
Mary, to Holland, now quitted London, and repaired to York, which city he reached on the 19th
March, 1642, leaving Parliament sitting. This measure produced the most alarming apprehensions
m every part of the country. Petitions from all quarters were presented to his maiesty and
amongst others, one from the county palatine of Lancaster, drawn up by Richard Heyrick'
warden of Manchester, and subscribed by sixty-four knights and esquires, fifty-five divines, seven
hundred and forty gentlemen, and of freeholders and others about seven thousand, was presented
the 31st of May. In this document the petitioners, after expressing their assurance of his
majesty's zeal for the Protestant religion, add —
"You have at once provided against all popish impieties and idolatries, and also against the growing danger of Anabaptists,
Brow-nists, and other novelties ; all which piety, love, and justice, we beseech God to reward into your own bosom. But yet, most
gracious sovereign, there is one thing that sads our hearts, and hinders the perfection of our hajjpinesa, which is, the difference and
misunderstanding between your majesty and your Parliament, whereby the hearts of your subjects are filled with feara and
jealousies ; justice neglected, sacred ordinances profaned, and trading impaired, to the impoverishment of many of your hege
people ; for the removal whereof we cannot find any lawful means, without your majesty's assistance and direction."
To this dutiful and loyal address his majesty replied from his court at York, on the 6th of
June — That it was a great contentment to him to find so many true sons of the Church of England ;
and that he took in very good part their desire of a good understanding between his majesty and
the two Houses of Parliament, which it had always been his wish to maintain. About the same
time a petition from the knights, esquires, ministers, gentlemen, and freeholders of the county of
Lancaster was sent to the king at York, by the party attached to the Parliament, in which, after
pointing out to his majesty the great evil that was likely to arise to the kingdom from his absence
from Parliament, they entreat his majestj', for the honour and safety, as well as for the peace and
welfare of his dominions, " to return to his great council, in whom the nation had so far confided,
that they had entrusted them with their lives, liberties, and estates." To this petition the answer
of the king was, that he had not gone from his Parliament, but that he had been driven from
them. The Parliament, anxious to possess themselves of the prerogatives of the crown, as Avell as
of their own privileges, requested the king to remove Sir John Byron from the lieutenancy of the
Tower, and to place the militia of the kingdom at their disposal. To the first of these requests
the king replied that he had confided the lieutenancy of the Tower to a gentleman of unques-
tionable reputation and known fortune, and that he did not expect to have been called upon to
remove him without any particular charge against him ; and as to the militia, that force was, in
virtue of the royal prerogative, subject to the king's command, though he should be ready to listen
to any well-digested proposition on the subject that might be submitted to him.' Notwithstanding
this answer, the Parliament so far usurped the royal functions as to issue an ordinance for
assuming the power over the militia of the kingdom. A strong party still existed in Lancashire
in favour of the king, to check which an ordinance was issued by Parliament for levying money
on the estates of the " malignants," and Mr. Assheton was appointed to prepare the necessary
documents. At the same time it was declared, by a species of anticipation, but on no less an
authority than that of the two Houses of Parliament, that many desperate and ill-disposed persons
in the county of Lancaster had been in actual war and rebellion against the Government ; it was
therefore ordered, that the committee formerly named to be assessors should be authorised to seize
and take all rents, moneys, houses, goods, and plate of the malignants, rendering an account
to Parliament f and it was further ordered that the tenants and debtors of the malignants should
pay their rents and debts into the hands of the committees appointed by Parliament, whose receipts
shall be a fuU and legal discharge of the debts.
On the 28th of June, 1642, Sir John Girlington, the high sheriff of Lancashire, convened a
meeting, by the king's command, to be held at Preston, for the purpose of promulgating the
Lancashire petition, and the king's answer, together with his declarations. At this meeting, Lord
Strano-e (the royalist lord-lieutenant) and Lord Molyneux attended, along with Sir George
Middelton of Leighton, Sir Alexander Radcliffe, Sir Edward Fitton of Gawsworth, Mr. Tildesleyof
Myerscough Mr. William ffarington, and many others of the king's party ; and Mr. Alexander
Rio-by and Mr Shuttleworth, who had been sent into the county by Parliament as members of the
commmittee for the House of Commons, with several of the new deputy-lieutenants appointed by
Parliament, also appeared. The meeting being too large to be contained in a,ny of the public
buildings in the town, it was adjourned by the sheriff to Preston Moor. Here the Parliamentary
' lord Clarendon's " Histoiy of the Rebellion," book iv. = Journals of the House of Commons, February 15, 1042.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xv.
committee demanded that the sheriff should deliver up to them the royal commission and warned
him ao'ainst the execution. The proceedings soon became so tumultuous, that the sheriff departed
with about four hundred of his friends, exclaiming, " All those that are for the king, go with us"—
"for the kino-! for the king!"' Mr. Rigby and his friends, in reply, exclaimed, "For the king,
and for the Parliament ! " which appears to have been the more popular cry. Here the terms
Cavalier and Roundhead were first applied in Lancashire, and they soon became as familiar here
as they had for some time been in London. == While these proceedings were taking place upon the
moor, Mr. ffarington conveyed away several barrels of gunpoAvder, which had been collected at
Preston. Soon afterwards the high sheriff and Lord Strange, by virtue of the commission of
array ,^ seized the magazines of the county of Lancaster, appointed for the use of the Lancashire
militia, which they determined to detain, in contravention of a resolution of the House of
Commons, requiring them to deliver them up into the hands of the deputy-lieutenants.* At the
same time an attempt was made by Sir Alexander Radcliffe and Mr. Thomas Prestwich, two of the
commissioners of array, and by Mr. Nicholas Moseley, and Mr. Thomas Danson, the under-sheriff,
to seize a quantity of ammunition stored in the college at Manchester, for the use of the royal
party ; but in this they were disappointed, owing to the vigilance of Mr. Assheton of Middleton,
Sir Thomas Stanley of Beckerstaffe, and several of the deputy-lieutenants, who removed the
powder and match to a place of security, and in that Avay preserved them for the use of the
Parliamentary forces. At Liverpool the Cavaliers were more successful, having a few days before
seized thirty barrels of powder in that port. The two houses of Parliament, in order to mark their
sense of the conduct of Sir John Girlington, Sir Geo. Middleton, and Sir Edward Fitton, summoned
them all to London as delinquents ; and Lord Strange was, by the same authority, required to
deliver up into the hands of the deputy-lieutenants, that part of the magazine of the county of
Lancaster which had been seized by his lordship. The march of the king, at the head of his troops,
from York to Hull, where Sir John Hotham closed the gates and refused to admit him into the
garrison, was considered as the commencement of the civil wars ; and the Parliament, with that
prudent foresight for which they were so much distinguished, issued an ordinance directing that
forty barrels of gunpowder should be sent from the stores of the Tower of London, for the service
of their supporters in the county of Lancaster. James, Lord Strange, who was then at York in
attendance upon the king, was appointed by his majesty lord-lieutenant of the counties of
Lancaster and Chester, and was required forthwith to repair to the seat of his lieutenancy, to put in
force the commission. These hostile measures, under the commission of array, were taken in
contravention of an express order of the two houses of Parliament, by which the high sheriff of the
county of Lancaster, and the sheriffs of other counties, were commanded to suppress the rising or
coming together of any soldiers, horse or foot, by any commission from his majesty, without the
consent of Parliament, and all persons whatsoever were forbidden to exercise any such commission
or warrant for levying soldiers, or gathering them together, without their consent.
On the return of Lord Strange from York to Lathom House on the 4th of July, his lordship
determined to secure the town of Manchester for the king, and with this view he required the
inhabitants to give up the magazine which they had accumulated against the approaching storm ;
but this they declined, on the ground that if they surrendered their arms and ammunition in these
perilous times, they would be deprived of the means of defending their own persons and property.
The proposal that the stores should be placed under the charge of magistrates of both parties was
also refused, and finding that his object was not to be obtained, he retired. It has been stated that
afterwards he had recourse to force of arms, and that a skirmish ensued, in which liis lordship lost
twenty-seven of his men, after killing eleven of the inhabitants, but the story is confused and
unsupported by any trustworthy evidence. The 15th of the same month was also a memorable day
in the annals of Lancashire. On that occasion, Lord Strange was invited to a public entertainment
by the loyal party of Manchester, designated as the Cavaliers. Here the high sheriff read the
commission of array, though interdicted by the Parliament. He came with his retinue as lord-
lieutenant and accompanied by the high sheriff; while the company were in the banqueting-room.
Captain Holcroft and Captain Birch, deputy-lieutenants of the county, of the Parliamentary or
Roundhead party, entered the town with their forces, and beat to arms. His lordship quitted the
repast to muster the troops by which he was attended, and a skirmish took place, in which a man
' Mr. Alexander Rigby's letter, dated June 24, 1642. called Roundheads. In time, these terms became party names ; the king's
2 Before the king left London, his palace at Whitehall was frequently supporters being styled Cavaiiers, and the adherents of the Parliament
beset with petitioners, some of whom e.v:pressed tlieir complaints in Soundheads. The term Malignants was also applied to the loyalists,
strong terms of discontent. To allay the ferment, the compL-iinants were when they were in a state of active Iiostility against the ParUament.
frequently struck, and sometimes wounded, by a kind of voluntary royal ^ This commission was issued by the king on the 10th July, 1642.
guard, composed of disbanded soldiers, who rallied round his majesty, Tho Parliament was so strongly opposed to the measure that they
waitmg for mihtary employment. The haughty carriage of the guards stigmatised the commission as against the laws, and denounced the
procured for them the name of Cavaliers, while the persons who sur- commissioners as the betrayers of the liberty of the subject,
rounded the palace, owing to their plain attire and undressed hair, were * Resohition of the Ho\ise of Commons, June 27, 1042.
CHAP. XV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 289
of the name of Richard Percivall of Kirkman's Hulme, a linen webster (weaver), was killed by the
royalists.' This was the occasion on which the " first blood " was shed in those civil wars that for
several years sfjread destruction through the country, and brought in the end both Lord Strange
and his sovereign to the block. The affray, which partook of the nature of a street row, was
greatly exaggerated, and though two or three over-zealous Parliamentarians were the real offenders,
the chief instigator being Sir Thomas Stanley of Bickerstaffe, an anti-royalist and distant
connection of the Stanleys of Lathom, it was made the excuse for impeaching Lord Strange, who,
by a strange perversion of facts, was charged with " levying war against the king. Parliament, and
kingdom." The details of what actually occurred are thus given in a rare tract published at the
time and reprinted by the Chetham Society : —
" My Lord Strange being invited the 15 of this moneth to the towne of Manchester by neare twenty of the chief e men and officers
there unto a banquet that afternoone, he being then accompanied with the high sheriff of Lancashire, the Lord Molineux, Sir
Gilbert Haughton, Sir Alexander Radcliffe, Mr. Holt of Stubley, Mr. Farrington, Mr. Prestwich, Mr. Tilsley, and other gentlemen of
the best ranke in the shire, accepted the loves of the towne, and his lordship, in his coach, attended by some thirty of hi.9 own horse,
being but his ordinary attendance, and met with at least a hundred horse of the said towne, being the inviters and their friends. At the
entrance to the towne were divers expressions of joy from the inhabitants, as continued acclamations, bonfires, the streets strewed
with flowers, &c. His lordship being with all the ohiefe men at Manchester in the house of Mr. Greene at the banket, his lordship
staid not a quarter of an houre, but word was brought of Mr. Holcroft marching in the towne with souldiers, armed with pikes and
muskets, with their matches lighted and cockt, also a drum beating before them to assemble more companie (their muskets also were
charged with bullets, as appeared by those which were taken from them), who presented themselves in the street in a warlike posture,
and at the time two other companies in like manner assembling in two severall streets of the said towne, environed his lordship.
Mr. Sheriffe, understanding this plot and practice while he was in the chamber with his lordship, ran hastily downe for prevention of
the pretended inconvenience, but finding my lord's horse before his owne, made use thereof, he found Mr. Holcrofte neere the Crosse,
with divers armed men, whereupon the sheriffe did command him and the rest in his majestie's name to lay downe their armes, keepe
the peace and cease the tumult, but Mr. Holcroft, unwilling at the first, notwithstanding the proclamation according to the statute,
charg'd him with disobedience to his majestie's laws. My lord observing the sheriffes long stay, and desiring to assist for the
preservation of the peace, and missing his owne horse or any other, was forc't to goe along the street afoot without any of his
ordinary servants, and made his owne way through the people, until at the end of the streete he met a horse of Sir Alexander
Radcliffe, and in his passage was shot at with two pistols out of a window by Sir Thomas Stanley, and another by him, as will be
deposed, but, God be thanked, thev both missed ; he was also seen at the said window, charging his pistoU ; there was also a muskett
shot at his lordship from a shop in the streete, which was seen to hit the wall neare by him. My lord, with the sheriffe going their
intended way, met a new company, who thronged the streets, and endeavoured to stop the passage with pikes and muskets. Their
captaine, one Birch, bad them give fire; but the raine being so great, put out most of their matches, and being resolutely commanded
to advance their pikes were much afraid, and some obeyed, especially their captaine, who hid himself under a cart which stood in
the streete ;« the men seeing themselves overcome, submitted and retired. The place being cleared, his lordship with the rest
were going out of the towne, but suddenly some came in the reare, and cutt a gentleman on the head and struck him off his horse.
A son of that gent, rescuing hLs father, was also wounded ; it is thought one of them is in great danger ; the man that struck the old
gent was shot, but not yet known by whom. This bloody assassinate was followed with great cunnmge and eagernesse by Sir Thomas
Stanley and Mr. Holcroft, both his lordship's knowne enemies. They be men of decayed fortunes and much mdebted, ready to leave
the country, whereof they thought convenient to build some hopes on others' mines, assuring themselves if that towne were on good
tearmes with my lord, it would end all their hopes, thinking by this divelish plot to master the countrey by taking away his lordship s
life, as may appeare by testimony offer'd to produce the party so hired to murther his lordship, affirmmg if tte towne were so kind
the;i unto his lordship to entertain liim with a banquet, they would give him a second to breake the peace When the gentlemen of
Manchester did invite my lord into the towne, his lordship did acquaint them wjth an information that Sir Thomas Stenl^^^ and
Holcroft had bin very busy that morning among divers armed souldiers, whereof his lordship did aske them if they would not like
that his lordship might come into the towne with his ordinaiy attendance, of which they seem'd most desirous, and prepared a
banquet for those of his lordship's servants, as they are ready to arrive. Next morning the chiefe of *l|«„*Tr°4^«";^^P^"?<l^° ^;;^
lordship, but lodged but a mile off, at Sir Alex. Radcliffe's (Ordsal Hall), with a protestation of great griefe at this acciden^^^^^^^
of them under their hand did give his lordship a declaration that Sir Thomas Stanley, Holcroft, and Birch were the distuibers of
their peace, and the only occasifn of their treachery, so as my lord and the.towneare on very ^^^^ t«"fjf J^^ ^^^j^' ^/^^^.^^^^^^
these means, God be thanked, discovered themselves to the world, so as no ]ust, wise, religious person will hereafter give them any
countenance."
This document is followed by the signatures of those who made the declaration.
On the departure of Lord Strange from York, it had been determined by the king m council
that the royal standard should be rlised at Warrington ; ^^'i /t^\*^^ /^"^ ."^* ^f^^^t^^^^^^^
lordship mustered the county in three places-on the heath at Cockey Moor by Bury, Houghton
Moor near Ormskirk, and Fulwood Moor near Preston-at each of which places large bodies of men
appeared, mosTof them anned with pikes, muskets, or.other weapons. H^s lordBhjp ,yas p^^^^^^^^^^
into Cheshire and North Wales to effect the same service, ^^^.^^f^^^f^^HfjiJ^^^^^^^^^
intimation from the king's council that these noisy musters which he ^f ^.^.^^f^^.^J^^^P;^:^.^^^'^^
of his own ambitious design, and that it was not safe for l^f .^'^f ft^ *? f.f "^^^^^^ SeshTre and
nower ' To add to the indignity, his lordship was divested of the lieutenancy ot Ohesmre ana
Eh Wales,ldTt was prop^sed'lo unite Lor^ Rivers, who had -^-^J ^f^ ^ ^LT aTtoti^
him in the lieutenancy of Lancashire. Suspicions had been i^^^^fl^^^ljJJ^^^^^^
sincerity in the royal cause, and it was feared that his near alliance to the ^^^^JJ^^gJ^^^;;^^^^
a dangerous person to be entrusted with any considerable military power. ^^^'^^^^^ ^'^^']|^^^^^^^^^^^^^
I The hurial of PercivaU is thus recorded in the register of the CoUe- ^^^l^J[^^i^^^^'^^l^l°i^!o^rt'^ M^n^e^terf |^wMch hi got^
giate (now Cathedral) Church at Manchester: "1642, Juhe 18. Bichard ^»™8^„™hi3 own party, the deserved epithet of Lord Derby 8 carter,"
Percivall of Grindlowe." — C. .. , . ^ xi.- • -jj 4- v iqq _n
^ Seacombe, in his "House of Stanley," refernng to this incident, P. IfgJ^-^^,^^
38
290
THE HISTOBY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xv.
these reflections on his patriotism and honour, his loyalty never flagged and his fidelity never
wavered; but the distrust of the king's advisers had a depressing effect upon many ot the loyal
inhabitants of Lancashire, and in a corresponding degree encouraged the boldness of the disaflected.
It was a fatal mistake, and one to which many of the disasters that followed may be traced.
Charles with his usual policy, endeavoured to conciliate him, made him General of the Forces m
Lancashire and Cheshire, and directed him to recover the town of Manchester, which had then
been put in a state of defence and become the stronghold and rallying point of the anti-royalist
party From this time the intention of erecting the royal standard m Lancashire was abandoned,
and on the 22nd of August his majesty, attended by Prince Rupert, and a large cavalcade of
military and citizens, erected the standard on a hill near Nottingham Castle, amidst cries of " God
save the Idn"'," that mingled with the hoarse voice of the storm and the tempest, the omen of
comino- disaster. The war soon after became general. Not only all religious denominations but
almost every class of persons interested themselves deeply in the issue. The nobility, for the most
part, with many of the higher order of the gentry, were for the king, and the principal part of their
tenantry espoused the same cause. The yeomanry or freeholders in general took the side of the
Parliament, and the manufacturers and traders were to a large extent of the same party. "With
few exceptions the peers ranged themselves on the side of the king, but there is no reliable data
by which it is possible to fix accurately the proportion of the gentry in each fold. The " Royalist
Composition Papers"' furnish a tolerably complete hst of the landed men who espoused the
Royalist cause, but there is no corresponding list of those who took the side of the Parliament. The
Royalists, though adhering to the king from different motives, were practically one body, and were
dealt with as such, but in the ranks of their opponents were men of widely different aims-
thoughtful, but brave, strong-minded Enghshmen, impressed with a stern unflinching love of
justice, and a determination to maintain those liberties they held to be their birthright ; and
turbulent and aggressive fanatics, impatient of uniformity in rites and ceremonies and the
decorous adjuncts of a national church, who, by their violent appeals to the passions of the people
preached them into rebellion. It is impossible to class men like Essex and Cromwell together, or
to place in the same category with the latter such wild enthusiasts as Lilburne, and Wildman, and
Peters. The army, which consisted principally of a kind of trained band or militia, inclined most
to the Parhament ; and of the religionists, all the high churchmen, and a large majority of the
Catholics, were on the side of the king ; Avhile the Puritans in the church, and the Presbyterians
and Independents out of it, espoused the popular cause. It has been observed that in the civil
wars between the houses of York and Lancaster this county was not the scene of a single battle ;
but during the contest now before us no county in the kingdom was more distinguished than
Lancashire.
After the Reformation, those Catholics who refused to take the oath of abjuration were
stigmatised as recusants and deprived of their arms, under an apprehension that they mightbe
applied to an improper purpose ;' but these persons, by one of the revolutions in parties which
frequently take place, now espoused the cause of loyalty with great zeal, and a number of the
leading Catholics of Lancashire petitioned the king to have the arms which had been taken
from them re-delivered, or that they might furnish themselves with competent weapons, to be used
in these times of war and danger for the defence of the king and the security of their country and
families. Amongst these petitioners we find the names of Sir William Gerard, Bart., Sir Cecil
Traiford, Knt., Thomas Clifton, Charles Townley, Christopher Anderton, John Cancefield, and others.
Esquires, in the county of Lancaster. The petition, which has been printed by the Chetham
Society, is in the following terms : —
" To the King's Most Excellent Majesty. — The Humble Petition of us, the inhabitants of Lancashire, whose names are hereunder
written in the behalf of ourselves and divers others of the said county, your majesty's most loyall subjects are disarmed, and not
sufficiently provided for the defence of your Eoyall person and our families. Our most humble supplication to your Majestic is that
we may be received into your most gracious protection from violence, have our Armes taken from us redelivered in this time of actuall
war, and by your Majesty's speciall directions may be enabled further to furnish ourselves with oompetencie of weapons for the security
yf your royall person (if we be thereunto required), our countries, and families, who now are not only in danger to the common
disturbance, but also menaced by unruly people to be robbed ; And when, by the Almightie's assistance, your Majesty's Kingdom
shall be settled, in case we be again disarmed, that a full value iu money in lieu thereof to us may be restored."
The answer returned by the king Avas of course most gracious, and communicated the royal will
and pleasure that they should, with all possible speed, provide sufficient arms for themselves, their
servants, and tenants, which they were authorised and required, during the war raised against the
^ " The Royalist Composition Papers " contain the proceedings of the Lancashire portion giving alphabetically the names of the compounders
committee for compounding with delinquents, and are of the greatest as contained in volumes 98 to 101. — C.
interest and value in elucidating the family liistory and ascertaining the ^ On the 25th of May a number of Catholics and others had assembled
actual lauded and personal property of individuals during the Common- in a tumultuous manner on a plain about seven miles from Lancaster,
wealth period. The original papers, arranged iu counties, are preserved armed with swords and other offensive weapons, on which the high sheriff ,
in the Record Of&ce, and may be referred to by the MS, Indexes, tlae being called in, dispersed the assembly and disarmed the Catholics.
CHAP. XV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
291
king, to keep and use for his defence, and for the defence of themselves and their country against
all forces and arms raised agamst the authority of the crown by any ordinance or authority "whateTer
ihe petition of the Lancashire recusants and the compliance of the king with its prayer was immedi-
ately met by the despatch of Sir John Seaton, in the interests of the Parliament, into the district from
which the petition had emanated, with an order authorising the suppression of associations of Catholics
m Lancashire, Cheshire, and the five northern counties. Lord Strange, whose devotion to the
royal cause was not to be extinguished by ingratitude on the one hand or by alluring offers on the
other, continued to exert himself to the utmost in order to sustain the interests of his sovereim •
and Lord Molyneux, equally zealous in the same cause, raised a regiment in Lancashire, of which
he was made colonel ; but many of the other principal men in the county actively enc^ao-ed in
the war were, as we have already seen, in favour of Parliament. The zeal and ability displayed
by Lord Strange, though ill requited by his friends, brought upon him the decided hostility of his
enemies ; and Parliament, in a proclamation of the 16th of September, stigmatised him as a rebel,
guilty of high treason, and ordered him to be so denounced by the clergy and constables in all the
churches and towns of Lancashire and Cheshire; while "all sheriffs, and other his majesty's
subjects, were required to apprehend the said Lord Strange, and bring him up to Parliament; there
to receive condign punishment." On the same day articles of impeachment against his lordship
were drawn up, and voted by the Commons ; and it was, among other charges, alleged against him,
"that upon the 15th day of July in the present year, he did maUciously, rebelliously, and
traitorously summon together a great number of his majesty's subjects at Manchester, and did
there invite, persuade, and encourage them to levy war against the king, parliament, and kingdom,
and did on that occasion kill, murder, and destroy one Richard Percivall ; for which matters and"
things the knights, citizens, and burgesses in parliament assembled impeached the said James, Lord
Strange, of high treason."^ At this crisis Lord Strange was urged by the king to muster all the
forces in his power in Lancashire, and to march at their head to join the royal army then
assembled at Shrewsbury. Long before the messenger who was the bearer of this despatch, under
the king's own hand, arrived at Lathom, the force assembled in virtue of the commission of array
had dispersed ; but his lordship lost no time in issuing his warrants for the appearance of his
tenantry and dependants. The summons was promptly obeyed, and three regiments of foot, with
three troops of horse, armed and clothed at his lordship's own charge, were raised in the month of
August, and marched imder his command to Shrewsbury. The report made to the king of the
state of Lancashire was, that the county was much divided in its attachments, and that Manchester
was in the hands of the Parliamentary forces. To secure a station of so much importance, his
lordship was ordered to return again to the seat of his lieutenancy, and by all means to secure the
town of Manchester, which had then been put in a state of defence and strongly fortified with posts
and chains, and barricades of mud at the ends of its ten streets, under the direction of a
German colonel of engineers — John Rosworm or Rosswurm — who had been trained in the
wars of the Low Countries, and had been hired by the townsmen for that purpose.^ In
obedience to these orders, his lordship, assisted by Lord Rivers, Sir Gilbert Gerard, Lord
Molyneux, and other gentlemen of the county, marched from his rendezvous at Warrington, at
the head of a force of 4,000 foot, 200 horse, and seven guns, and on Sunday morning, the
25th September, 1642, arrived before Manchester. The main body took up a position on
the south side of the Irwell, in the grounds of Sir Edward Mosley, the lodge in Alport
Park affording head quarters to Lord Strange. The other division took up a position on the
Salford side of the river, the inhabitants of that borough being favourably inclined to the royal
cause. On the following day the siege commenced, and was prosecuted with great vigour, but
with little success, during the whole week, at the end of which time his lordship received two
despatches, each of which had probably some influence in inducing him to raise the siege.^ The
iirst of these communications was of a domestic nature, and announced that his venerable father,
William, Earl of Derby, had paid the debt of nature, his death occurring at Chester, on Thursday,
the 29th September, and that his lordship, as heir-apparent, was elevated to the earldom ; the
other stated that the Earl of Essex was marching from London to give his majesty battle, and the
earl, for such he had now become, was required to march with his whole force to the head-quarters
of the royal army at Shrewsbury. In compliance with the commands of his sovereign, the Earl of
Derby drew off his ill-equipped and hastily-levied forces, quitted Manchester, and marched mthout
> Rushworth'a Coll iv «S0 te found that the Royalists would, have beoii willing to mjike mdriB^
' This mercenary adventurer, who resembled in some respects the liberal terms, he ncVer ceased to bewail the beggarly remuneration he.
famous Dugald Dalgetty of Dramthwacket, was ready to be employed by had agreed to accept from the Roundheads or to rail at^the despicable
either party and had agreed with Warden Heyricke and the Presby- earthworms," as ho, not unjustly, styled those who had offered it, and
Sm of Manchester trsuperintend the defences of the town for a when tho danger was passed, refused to pay even the scanty pittance ha
period of six months for the modest sum of £30. A faithful and had bargained with them for.— C.
valuable servant he proved, but a provokingly ill-tempered one, for when ' See Manchester,
292 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xv.
delay to join the king. This "deliverance" of Manchester, as it was called, was considered by
the Parliamentary party in Lancashire as " a visible manifestation of God's goodness towards them,"
and a public thanksgiving was ordained by Parliament throughout the country, in token of the
general gratitude. From Shrewsbury the Earl of Derby marched with his forces into Warwick-
shire, where he made an unsuccessful attempt to take the town of Birmingham. The force bv
Avhich he was opposed was the trained bands or 'militia ; and in the desperate rencontre which took
place within about a mile from Birmingham, the earl is represented, in the despatches to
Parliament,' to have lost six hundred men in slain, and the same number of prisoners ; while,
according to the same authority, the Warwickshire men lost only one hundred and twenty of their
trained band. After this unfortunate engagement the earl returned by way of Shrewsbury into
Lancashire, and again established his rendezvous at Warrington, satisfied that he had "discharged
a good conscience in all," and that his " honour was safe in spite of his worst detractors." " The
county of Lancaster," says the letter of a Roundhead, who was himself actively engaged in the civil
wars, " is grievously disturbed and divided into two factions, the papists and malignants, whereof
there are many in Lancashire, taking one part, and the well-affected Protestants another. The
Earl of Derby, the great ringleader of the papist faction, keeps his rendezvous at Warrington,
whither great multitudes of ill-affected people, both out of Lancashire and Cheshire, daily resort, it
being upon the frontiers of both these counties. They make daily great spoil in the country, which
has so much incensed the people that they are determined, tide death tide life, to endure it no
longer." The counterpart of this representation is given by Arthur Trevor, the Cavalier, who, in a
letter to the Marquis of Ormonde,' says, "North Wales and South Wales, except a very few, are
his majesty's. Cheshire hath agreed upon a cessation of arms for a month. 1 confess, my lord,
that I do not like this measuring out of treason by the month. Manchester is the very London of
these parts, the liver that sends the blood into all the counties thereabouts, and until it be
cleansed or obstructed, I cannot imagine that there can be any safety in this neighbourhood. It is
much hoped that my lord of Newcastle will take the part of Yorkshire that joins to Lancashire,
and is poisoned by it, on his way to Manchester." Of Manchester Lord Clarendon says " it had
from the beginning (out of that factious humour which possessed most corporations, in the pride of
their wealth) opposed the king, and declared magisterially for the Parliament." Unhappily for his
lordship's comparison, Manchester was not a corporation ; nor was pride, except indeed spiritual
pride, the characteristic of the Parliamentary party. The Earl of Newcastle was still delayed from
proceeding into Lancashire, as his intention was, with his overwhelming force of 12,000 men, and
in the meantime a skirmish took place at Leigh and Lowton Common, between the Earl of Derby's
troops and the country people (Nov. 27), of which one of the latter gives the following relation : —
'' The last Sabbath," says he, " as we were going towards the church, a post rode through the country informing us that the
earl's troops were coming towards Chowbent ; whereupon the country people rose, and before one of the clock ou that day we had
gathered together 3,000 horse and foot, encountering them at Chowbent aforesaid, and beating them back to Leigh, killed some, and
wounded many ; where you would wonder to have seen the forwardness of the young youths, farmers' sons. We drove them to
Lowton Common, where they, knowing our foot to be far behind, turned face about, and began to make head against us, whereupon
began a sharp although a short encounter ; but when they perceived our full and settled resolution, they made away as fast as their
Ijorses could carry them, and we after them, kilhng, wounding, and taking prisoners about two hundred of them ; and we never lost
a man, only we had three of our men wounded, but not mortally. The nailers of Chowbent, instead of making nails, have busied
themselves in making bills and battle-axes ; and also this week the other part of the country meet, and not only intend to stand
upon their guard, but to disarm all the papists and malignants within their precincts, and to send them prisoners to Manchester, to
keep house with Sir Ceoill Trafford, who is there a prisoner. The men of Blackburn, Padiham, Burnley, Clitheroe, and Colne, with
those sturdy churls in the two forests of Pendle and Rossendale, have raised their spirits, and are resolved to fight it out rather than
their beef and fat bacon shall be taken from them. The last week Sir Gilbert Hoghton set his beacon on fire, which stood upon the
top of Hoghton Tower, and was the signal to the country for the papists and malignants to arise in the field, and in Leyland hundred ;
whereupon great multitudes accordingly resorted to him at Preston, and ran to Blackburn, and so through the country, disarming
all and pillaging some, which Mr. Shuttleworth, a Parliament man, and Mr. Starkie hearing of, presently had gotten together about
8,000 men, met with Sir Gilbert and his CathoUc malignants at Hinfield Moor, put them to flight, took away many of their arms,
and pursued Sir Gilbert so hotly that he quitted his horse, leapt into a field, and by the coming of the night escaped through fir-
bushes and bye-ways to Preston, and there makes great defence by chaining up Ribble bridge, and getting what force he can into
the town for hia security ; out of which the country people swear they will have him, by God's help, with all his adherents, either
quick or dead. Oh, that the ParHament had but sent down their 1,000 of dragooners into the country ! We would not have left a
mass-monger nor malignant of note but we would have provided a lodging for him. It is reported by some about the Earl of Derby
that he is very melancholy and much perplexed about the unadvised course he has run ; for the last Thursday at Warrington, at
dinner, he said he was born under an unfortunate planet, and that he thought some evil constellation reigned at the hour of his
birth, with many such other words of passion and discontent."
In the southern part of the county, Bolton — the "Geneva of Lancashire" as it was called—
was the school and the centre of Puritanism, and consequently a thorn in the flesh of "malignant''
Wigan; and equally the roystering Cavaliers of Wigan were a standing menace to the austere
Roundheads of Bolton. The desire of each was to capture and destroy the other, and the
opportunity for conflict was not far to seek. Early in December a smart engagement took place,
' Dated Nov. 28, lG4a. - Dated ultimo Decembris, 1042.
f^HAP. XV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
293
when the companies of Captain Bradsha^y and Captain Venables, having issued from Bolton were
met at Hmdley.near Wigan, by the Loyalist troops, when a considerable number were slain and
hhe rest made prisoners. lhe_ alarm in the country now spread on every side; civil war had never
before been seen by the inhabitants ; the different classes of society were suspicious of each other
X A A Intention was entertained of raising the levy en masse, by ringing alarm-bells in the
hundred of Salford. The language of the Cavaliers was haughty and menacing, that of the
Roundheads sarcastic and insolent. Confidence amongst neighbours was banished; trade was
greatly interrupted; and scarcity and even absolute want prevailed to an alarming extent The
religious predilections of one party were outraged by the other. The Loyalists, who were
characterised by irrehgion and profanity, to show their contempt for the sanctimonious character
of the Puritans, dismantled their sanctuaries, and carried their irreverence to sacred things so far
as to play at cards m the pews of their chapels ;' while, on the other hand, monuments of antiquity
to which the name of popish could be attached, were frequently consigned to destruction by a
fanatical populace ;- and visionaries were not wanting to call for an agrarian law. In this excited
state of the public mind, a meeting was held at Preston for the purpose of recruiting the kino-'s
forces, and raising the necessary supplies for their support. In this assembly the Earl of Derby
" lord-general of the county of Lancaster," as he was styled, presided, and Sir John Girlington, the
high sheriff of the county, Alexander Rigby, Esq., of Burgh, Robert Holt, Roger Kirby, and William
Farrington, Esquires, with many others, attended. A series of resolutions was adopted, the principal
of which was that the sum of £8,700 should be raised by a rate on the county of Lancaster, to be
employed for the payment of 2,000 foot and 400 horse soldiers, and to provide magazines and
ammunition for the use and safety of the county, under the direction of a council, to be held at
Preston, for the assistance of the lord-general ; the council to consist of Sir John Girlington, Knt.,
Adam Morte, gentleman, Mayor of Preston, and James Anderton and Robert Kirby, Esquires, with
power to call to their assistance Sir Gilbert Hoghton, Knt. and Baronet, Thomas Clifton, William
Farrington, and John Fleetwood, Esquires, or any other of his majesty's commissioners of array
within the county of Lancaster, so often as they should see occasion. At the same meeting it was
agreed that the following should be the pay of the Lancashire troops per diem : —
Foot. Horse. hi ajgooneeres.
s. d. s. d. s. d.
Captain 10 Captaiu IB Captain 12
Lieutenant 4 Lieutenant 8 Lieutenant 6
Ancient 3 Cornet 6 Cornet 4
Sergeant 1 6 Corporal 4 Sergeant 3
Drummer 1 3 Trumpeter 5 Corporal 2
Corporal 1 Private 2 6 Dragooneere 1 6
Private 9 Kettledrum 2
And to every Commissary 5s.
The horrors of civil war banished the festivities of Christmas. The hundreds of Salford and
Blackburn, the principal seat of hostilities, were actively employed in preparing for attack or for
defence. On Christmas Eve, 1642, the Earl of Derby, at the head of several thousand men,
provided with three field-pieces, marched from Wigan against the town of Blackburn. On
arriving before the town the earl demanded that they should give up the place, and surrender
their arms to the king. To this the militia replied that they were trustees for the king and for
the Parliament, that the town was in their keeping, and that they should not surrender their
trust. Finding them deaf to his summons, the earl endeavoured to prevail by the thunder of
his cannon, but, night coming on, he was obliged to withdraw his forces, to his severe mortification,
and to the joy of the inhabitants, who were unprepared for a renewal of the contest. The
expectation entertained by the Earl of Derby that his influence in the counties of Lancaster and
Chester, where he was supposed to have more command over the people than any subject in
England had in any other quarter,^ would render the most important service to the king, was
grievously - disappointed. This large and populous county was already nearly lost to the royal
cause; and though the king had sent into Cheshire Sir Nicholas Byron, a soldier of great
command, with a commission of "Colonel-General of Cheshire and Shropshire, and Governor of
Chester," that county was placed in a situation of the most imminent peril, measuring out its
loyalty by monthly portions. The estimate formed by Lord Clarendon of the Earl of Derby's
talents and devotion to the royal cause, is as much too low as Secombe's estimate is too high.
Speaking of the earl, his lordship says : —
' News from Manchester, dated Doc. 17, 1642. and relics of idolatry, out of ehurches and cliapols, wherever they might
- Commissioners were this year sent by Parliament into Lancashire bo found,
and the other counties, to take away all images, superstitious pictures, " Clarendon's " Hist, of the Echellion," book vi.
294 THE HlSTORt OF LANCASHIRE. CHAf. XV.
"The restless spirit of the seditious party was so ready to be engaged, aud punctually to obey, and, on the other, hand, the Earl
of Derby so uuactive and so uncomplying with those who were fuller of alacrity, and would have proceeded more vigorously against
the enemy ; or, through want of experience, so irresolute, that, instead of countenancing the king's party in Cheshire, which was
expected from him, the earl insensibly found Lancashire to be almost possessed against him, the rebels every day gaining and
fortifying all the strong towns, and surprising his troops without any considerable encounter. And yet, so hard was the king's
condition that though he knew these great misfortunes proceeded from want of conduct, and of a vigorous and expert commander,
he thought it not safe to make ary alterations, lest that earl might be provoked, out of disdain to have any superior in Lancashire,
to manifest how much he could do against him, though it appeared he could do little for him. Yet it was easily discovered that his
ancient power there depended more upon the fear than upon the love of the people, there being very many now in this time of
liberty engaging themselves against the king, that might not be subject to that lord's commands. However, the king committed
Lancashire still to his lordsliip's care, whose fidelity, without doubt, was blameless, whatever his skill was." ' Speaking of the
inferior classes, the noble historian is more correct in his description. " The difference in the temper of the common people of both
sides," says he, "was so great, that they who were inclined to the Parliament left notliing unperformed that might advance the
cause ; and were incredibly vigilant and industrious to cross and hinder whatsoever might promote the king's ; whereas they who
wished well to him thought they had performed their duty in doing so, and that they had done enough for him, in that they had
done nothing against him." ^
Lord Clarendon's error in these passages, which contain much of truth, consists in his not
having adverted to the origin of the quarrel between the court and the country, and in his having
forgot that the first violation of our free constitution was on the part of the former. Hence the
alienation of the affections of the people, as also the want of power in the Earl of Derby to
rouse them into a state of active loyalty. It should, moreover, be remembered that any apparent
inactivity on the part of Lord Derby was due, not so much to his want of judgment or resolution
as to the obstacles that were continuously placed in his way by those about the king's person who
distrusted his purpose; and hence it was, that while his zeal irritated those on the Parliament side
it failed to secure for him the confidence of those who should have been his political friends, and
his readiness to recognise the loyaltyand accept assistance from the Roman Catholics of the county
only intensified the bitterness of the ultra- Protestant party.
The war in other parts of the kingdom, though still in its pristine vigour, produced no very
important result during the year 1642. Early m the year 1G43 Sir Thomas Fairfax, son of
Ferdinando, Lord Fairfax, " the hero of the Commonwealth," quitted Yorkshire, and repaired to
Manchester, where he established his headquarters, and infused into the Lancashire campaign of
that year a great degree of vigour. The first operation was undertaken by Sir John Seaton, a Scotch
knight, and major-general of the Parliamentary forces. On the 10th of February Sir John marched
from Manchester at the head of a body of troops, and taking the route by Bolton and Blackburn, at
each of which places his force was considerably augmented, advanced to Preston. This ancient
borough was then garrisoned by the king's troops, supported by a number of the neighbouring
gentry, and headed by the mayor, a zealous supporter of the royal cause. The town was prepared
for the visit, and was well fortified with an outer and inner wall. The attack was, however, made
with so much vigour and promptitude, that the place was carried after a combat of two hours, and
the gallant mayor, Adam Morte, Esq., Captain Hoghton, brother of Sir Gilbert, and a number of
other officers, were numbered amongst the slain. In the rapidity of their advance from
Blackburn to Preston, the Parliamentary forces had left behind them the fortress of Hoghton
Tower, the seat of Sir Gilbert Hoghton ; but no sooner had Preston surrendered than three troops
were despatched by Sir John Seaton, most of them Blackburn men, to take this tower. Having
discharged a shot against the walls a parley ^vas obtained, which terminated in the surrender of
the place (Feb. 14). Captain Starkie and his company then marched into the garrison, where
they found three large pieces of ordnance, with a good supply of arms and ammunition ; but
while they were congratulating themselvfes on their easy conquest the tower blew up, and the
captain, with sixty of his men, either perished or were dreadfully maimed by the explosion. In
the accounts sent to Parliament this disaster is represented as an act of perfidy on the part of the
Cavaliers, but their is no satisfactory evidence to establish the charge ; aud, for anything that
appears to the contrary, the sacrifice of life may have been occasioned by the precipitancy which
was manifested in demolishing the tower.
In the absence of the mam part of the Parliamentary troops, the Earl of Derby despatched a
strong force from Wigan to take possession of Bolton, where Colonel Ashton commanded. After a
furious assault at the Bradshawgate-gate entrance to the town, the garrison was obliged to retreat
to a mud wall two yards thick, Avhich had been erected for the security of the place, and was
guarded at the entrance by a chain. Here the battle was resumed with great obstinacy, but in the
end the assailants were obliged to retreat, bearing along with them two or three cartloads of their
dead soldiers slain m the engagement (Feb. 16). Two hundred club-men from Middleton, Oldham,
and Rochdale, came soon after to the assistance of the place, accompanied by two hundred soldiers
Irom Manchester under the command of Captain Radcliffe.
' Clarendon's History of the Eehelliou, book vi. ' ibid.
&
OHAP. XV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
29.^
In the meantime Captain Birch proceeded from Preston to Lancaster, which proved an easy
conquest (Feb. 17); and the castle, ni which were Mr. Roger Kirkby one of the Whts of tS
shire, and Sir John Girlington, also surrendered, but not till these g^entlemen Ld e^lS d thei^
escape At the same time, twenty-one pieces of ordnance, taken from a Dunkirk ship, which had
fS^'valife^'ot- ieVict'orj ''' ^°^^°^^^^ ^'-^7' ^^re brought to the castle, and served to enhance
The campaign was now destined to take a more auspicious turn for the royal cause. The Earl
of Derby, accompanied by Sir John Girlmgton and the brave Sir Thomas Tyldesley, by command
of the king, presented himself at the head of a strong force before Lancaster, and immediately
summoned the mayor and burgesses to surrender both the town and castle into his hands, on pain of
the severest infliction.' To this summons the mayor replied that all their arms had been taken
under the command of officers withm the town, for the king and Parliament ; and, as to the
castle, it had never been m possession of the mayor and burgesses. This answer was considered so
unsatisfactory by the earl, that he set fire to the town, and ninety houses and eighty-six barns or
other buildings of a similar description, were consumed (March 18).^ An attempt was made from
Preston by the Parliamentary forces, under Colonel Ashton, to relieve Lancaster, but it failed ; and
the Earl of Derby, after taking Lancaster with a severe carnage, in which men, women and
children were slam,'' returned to the south and took Preston by assault (March 21), and slew about
six hundred of the enemy. The men of Bolton held " a solemn fast and humiliation " for the fall
of Preston, and Lord Derby, elated with his success, determined on making another effort to reduce
that Puritan stronghold. From Preston he marched to Blackburn, which also surrendered, and
advanced to Bolton on the 28th of March, the day after the fast which had been kept at Manchester
to deprecate the judgments of Heaven. On receiving the summons to surrender in the name of
the kmg, the garrison replied that they should keep the town for the king and Parliament, and
then went composedly to prayers. The end of the prayers was the beginning of a renewed assault
upon the town, which theinhabitants resisted with so much success as again to drive off the assailants
(March 28). The Boltonians were eager to repay the compliment of attacking by making an attack
on Wigan. While that town proudly held its own, Bolton, which had been twice attacked, was
accounted an inferior rival. The idea of inferiority was not to be endured, and hence a besieging
force, aided by the train bands from Manchester, under Sir John Seaton, was despatched with the
object of accomplishing the overthrow. Wigan was equal to the occasion. Earthworks were hastily
thrown up, the walls were manned, and every preparation made to give the enemy a warm
reception. After a short parley the town was stormed, and a breach having been unexpectedly
made in the walls, the Boltonians rushed in, and, fired by a spirit of revenge, sacked the town and
carried all before them; but a report arriving that the Earl of Derby was advancing with a
considerable force to the relief, they secured what booty they could, and then beat a retreat (April 1),
the Manchester men hurrying to Warrington, where, in an attempt to take the town, they
suffered a defeat (April 5).
Lord Molyneux, after having fought at Edge Hill on the side of his maiesty, had returned
into Lancashire to recruit his regiment ; and by his aid the towns of Lancaster and Preston had
been reconquered. To consummate the campaign, it was determined to march to Manchester, then
the stronghold of the Parliamentary force in the county, and to secure the place for the royal cause.
Animated to renewed exertions by the remembrance of his former defeat before that place, the Earl
of Derby declared that he would, if properly supported, either reduce the town or lay his bones
before it; but on the very eve of the meditated attack, Charles had again recourse to the fatal
policy of drafting. On the arrival of the royal army at Chorley, Lord Molyneux was summoned by
a messenger from the king to repair forthwith to Oxford with his regiment, there to join the main
army. This was a grievous disappointment to the Earl of Derby, who entreated his stay in
Lancashire but for four days longer, in order to make the assault upon Manchester. The orders of
the king were not, however, to be disobeyed ; the earl's auxiliaries set out on their march for
Oxford without delay. The following week was observed as a national fast by order of Parliament ;
but in the midst of their devotions the arts and practice of war were by no means neglected. The
Earl of Derby was strongly entrenched at Wigan, the head-quarters of the Cavaliers, as
Manchester was of the Roundheads. Bent upon following up the moral advantage gained by the
unsuccessful attack of the Parliament forces of that town, the earl, gathering a force, said to consist of
" eleven troops of horse, seven hundred foot, and infinite clubmen," marched from Preston, crossed
the Ribble at Ribchester, and proceeded to Whalley with the intention of clearing Blackburn
hundred of the Parliamentary forces. Being met by Colonel Shuttleworfch, at the head of a number
' Summons of tbe Earl of Derby, dated March 18, 1643. - Lancashire's "Valley of Achor," p. ir,,
3 ** Lancaster Massacre,'' p. 3.
296 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xv.
of troops supported by a hasty levy, a running fight took place near Ribishester, which was
continued down to the Ribble at Salesbury, and ended in the repulse of the earl. The victory was
deemed of so much importance to the popular cause that Parliament ordered a day to be set apart
for a public thanksgiving. On the 28th of April, the Parliamentary forces, taking the route of
Wigan, Ormskirk, and Preston, again advanced to Lancaster, where they succeeded in relieving
the castle, which had been besieged by the king's forces. The siege of Warrington by the
Parliamentary forces, under Colonel Ashton, was commenced on the 23rd of May. As a preliminary
to the siege, the church of Winwick was taken possession of, and five days after Warrington
capitulated (May 28). At this time a ship was taken at Liverpool which had been sent to the
Royalists to supply them with reinforcements both of men and of ammunition. An efibrt was
made by the Earl of Derby to regain the magazines at Liverpool ; but, by the determined resistance
of Mr. Moore and his Parliamentary adherents, the earl's designs, though supported by a formidable
force, were entirely frustrated.
The Parliament, pressed by their necessities, passed an ordinance this year for the sequestration
of the estates of "notorious delinquents" in the several counties of the kingdom, on the alleged
ground that those who had raised the unnatural war should be made to defray its expenses. At
the same time, sequestrators were appointed to seize the property of those who were hostile to the
Parliament, and in this way to replenish their exhausted revenues (April 1).' The sequestrators
in Lancashire were Sir Ralph Ashton and Sir Thomas Stanley, baronets ; Ralph Ashton of
Downham, Ralph Ashton of Middleton, Richard Shuttleworth, Alexander Rigby, John Moore,
Richard Holland, Edward Butterworth, John Bradshaw, Wm. Ashurst, George Dodding, Peter
Egerton, Nicholas Cunliffe, John Starkie, Gilbert Ireland, Thos. Birch, and Thos. Fell, esquires ;
and Robert Hyde, Robert Cunliffe, Robert Curwen, John Newall, and John Ashurst, gentlemen.
On the 6th of September in this year an order passed the House of Commons empowering the
deputy-lieutenants in the palatine counties of Lancaster and Chester to choose auditors charged
with the duty of keeping perfect accounts of all such moneys, goods, and profits as might be taken
or seized by virtue of any order or ordinance of either Houses of Parliament ; and also to choose a
treasurer, into whose hands such money should be paid ; and it was subsequently ordered that
Ralph Ashton, Richard Shuttleworth, John Moore, and Alexander Rigby, esquires, all Members of
Parliament, should act as auditors in Lancashire."
The disasters of this short but active campaign, with the treatment that the Earl of Derby
had received from the king and his advisers, had a deadening influence upon the royal cause in
Lancashire ; and the earl, at the earnest solicitation of the queen, proceeded to the Isle of Man, to
secure that island from the dangers with which it was menaced by the king's enemies, who,
favoured by a confederacy within, had formed a project for taking possession of the island. His
lordship was not insensible to the danger attendant upon this step, both towards the county and
towards his own family. Previous to his departure he took all possible precautions to supply bis
house at Lathom, which was in itself a complete fortress, with men, cannon, and provisions ; and
to place the garrison under the command of a heroine whose name will ever rank amongst the
most gallant and illustrious of her sex."
At the same time that the queen commanded the Earl of Derby to proceed to the Isle of Man,
her majesty wrote to the Earl of Newcastle from York (May 8), informing him that she had sent
Wm. Murray to communicate with him on the state of Lancashire, and exciting him, by the honour
that would await him, to recover for the king this " lost county." In another letter from the queen
to the earl, on the following day, her majesty informs him that she has received further news from
Lancashire, which the bearer is commissioned to communicate. In obedience to the queen's com-
mands, the Earl of Newcastle, after his victory at Adwalton Moor^ (June 30th, 1643), despatched a
declaration and summons from his headquarters at Bradford to the town of Manchester, requiring
them to lay down their arms, to avoid the further effusion of " Christian blood," under an assurance
that, on their prompt obedience, his majesty's grace and mercy should be extended tOAvards them,
at the same time apprising them, that if they presumed to reject this offer, the blood shed in
consequence of such rejection would fall upon their heads. To this imperious mandate Manchester
rephed, by the messenger who brought the earl's despatch, that they had at all times shown
themselves desn-ous to maintain the king's prerogatives and the liberties of the subject, but that
they had resolutely resisted those who, under colour of his majesty's commission, endeavoured to
overthrow the Protestant religion. As to his lordship's threats, they were nothing dismayed by
1 Eushworth's Collections, toL v. p. 309, 2 The Lady Brilliana Harley, in a letter to her son Edward, dated
„T J°1.'^"'S had also his commissioners of sequestration, and in 30th June, 1643, writes: "AU Lancaseheere is cleered onlv Latham
Instructions to Pnnce Rupert, dated February 5th, 1643-4, he directs howes. My Lord of Darby has left that county, which t'hev take ill "—
that the estates and goods of persons in rebellion against him shall be " Letters of Lady BrlUiana Harley" (Camden Soc ) p 206 —
seized into their hands, and the revenues used tor the support of his » Situate between Leeds and Bradford, and more coinmonlv known
forces.— //ar(. MSS. cod. 2136. as Adderton or Atherston Moor,— C, '' """""
CHAP. XV.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
297
them, but hoped that God, who had been their protector hitherto, would so direct their force that
they should be able to return the violence intended into the bosoms of those who should become
their persecutors. The earl never found a suitable opportunity to prosecute his intended
operations against the county of Lancaster, but was obliged to content himself with sending a
small force of two hundred horsemen to occupy Blackstone Edge, the chief pass over the Pennine
range into Lancashire ; as, however, the Manchestrians had taken the precaution of placing a
garrison of twelve hundred soldiers in Rochdale, and had sent a further contingent of eight
hundred men to guard the foot of the pass over the Edge, the small force despatched by the
Earl of Newcastle was completely routed, while the holders of the pass were enabled to raid
the Craven district with impunity. For some months afterwards hostilities ceased in this county,
though the civil wars still raged in the north, the south, and the east, and the blood of Englishmen
continued to flow Avithout any prospect of tennination. In the northern parts of Lancashire, near
its junction with Westmorland and Cumberland, a battle was fought between the Parliamentary
army under Colonel Rigby, and the Royalist troops under Colonel Huddlestone, one of the
BLACKSTONE EDGE.
commissioners of array, which terminated in a "great victory" (Oct. 1). The last remaining
stronghold of the king in the northern part of this county was Thurland Castle, which was at that
time defended by Sir John Girlington, and which had sustained a siege of eleven weeks without
receiving any relief, though the king's forces in Westmorland lay within view of the castle. At
length it was determined to make a desperate effort to relieve the garrison: and the Westmorland
and Cumberland forces, united with that from Cartmel and Furness, assembled over the sands, to
the number of sixteen hundred men; Mr. Roger Kirby and Mr. Alexander Rigby of the Burgh
leading the Lancashire forces. To defeat this operation, Colonel Rigby marched m the middle ot
October at the head of a strong detatchment of the besieging army m front of ihurland Castle,
into Furness, on Saturday; and on Sunday morning, after committing his troops to Gods
protection in prayer, the colonel commanded his men to attack the enemy. In this engagement,
if such it couH be called, the word of the Cavaliers was, " In with Queen Maiy, while that of the
Roundheads was, " God with us." An instant panic seized the Royalists, who fled in all directions,
and instead of a battle it became a rout.
39
298 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. -chap/xv.
" At our first ai^pearanoe," says Colonel Rigby, ia his official despatch to the speaker of the House of Commons,^ " God so
struck the hearts of these our enemies with terrour, that, before a blow given, their horse began to retreat, our foot gave a great
shout our horse pursued, their's fled ; their foot dispersed, and fled ; they all trusted more to their feet than their hands ; they
threw away their arms and colours, deserted their magazine drawn with eight oxen, and were totally routed in one quarter of an
hour's time • our horse slew some few of them in the pursuit, and drove many of them into the sea. Wee took their Colonel
Hudleston, of Millam, two captains, and an ensign, and about foure hundred prisoners, six foot colours, and one horse colour ; and
their macazin and some horses, and more arms than men ; and all this without the losse of any one man of ours ; wee had only one
man hurt by' the enemy, and only another hurt by himselfe with his own pistoU, but neither mortally ; upon the close of the
business all our men with a great shout, cryed out, ' Glory be to God ; ' and wee all, except one troop of horse, and one foot
company, which I left to quiet the countrey, returned forthwith towards our siege at Thurland."
After this engagement the colonel pressed the siege of Thurland with so much vigour that in
two days the castle surrendered by capitulation.^ Following up the usual system, the fortress was
immediately demolished, and Colonel Huddlestone was sent prisoner to London, to be dealt with
by the Parliament. This year (1643) that mischievous publication " The Book of Sports," the
fruitful parent of so much disaster to the house of Stuart, was denounced in Parliament, and, in
virtue of a vote of the House, was consigned to the flames by the common hangman.^ The king,
finding his authority entirely superseded, and that the people and the militia, in many places
which his troops summoned to surrender, professed to act under the sanction of Parliament,
declared that the two houses were not a free Parliament, and in effect denied their authority, as
they had denied his. The convocation had already been abolished by an ordinance of Parliament,
which declared that government by archbishops and bishops was evil, and that the same should be
taken away ; and a solemn league and covenant was now entered into between the Scotch and the
English, by which it Avas stipulated that the Protestant religion should be sustained in Scotland,
according to the form already established in that country, while a reformation should be effected
in England, agreeable to the word of God and the example of the best reformed churches.^ To
secure the fidelity of the army to the cause of Parliament in this Catholic county, it was ordered
that such officers and commanders in Lancashire in the service of Parliament as should refuse to,
take the covenant, on its being tendered to them, should be discharged of their command and;
kept in custody, if the committees of the county should so detennine.^
An assembly of divines for the English counties, now divided into separate dioceses, was alsoi
constituted, and formed into Ciassis, or provincial synods, which were formally settled in this
county in the year 1647 ;" and to the end that the maintenance provided or disposed of by:
Parliament for preaching ministers might only be given to godly and learned and orthodox!
divines, it was ordained by Parliament that no minister within the county should hereafter
receive a benefice without a certificate of his fitness for the ministerial office under the handsi
of two or more deputy-lieutenants in the said county; and under the hands of Mr. Herle of;
Winwick, Mr. Heyricke of Manchester, Mr. Hyett of Croston, Mr. Horrocks of Dean, Mr. Ambrose!
of Preston, Mr. Shaw of Aldingham, Mr. Angler of Denton, Mr. Johnson of Ashton Mersey Bank,
Mr. Ward of Warrington, Mr. Shawe of Liverpool, Mr. Gee of Eccleston, Mr. Latham of Douglas
[Standish], Mr. Harper of Bolton, Mr. HoUinworth of Salford, Mr. Wright of Gargreave, and Mr.
Johnson of Rochdale, or any seven or more of them.
Parliament, fully aware of the danger by which the county of Lancaster was menaced, issued'
an order that Mr. James Wainwright, under the superintendence of the committee of safety, should
send forty barrels of powder into this county, for its better security and defence ; ' and in the
course of the same month a letter was despatched by the speaker of the House of Commons to the
gentlemen in Lancashire, in acknowledgment of their great and good services. It was the policy
of Parliament to dismantle and demolish all the fortresses in the country, and on the 8th of July
(1643) an order was sent from the Commons to the Lords, directing " that the castle of Hornby be
forthwith so defaced, or demolished, that the enemy may be prevented from making any further
use thereof to the_ annoyance of the inhabitants," and the deputy -lieutenants were required to give
an account of their service in the execution thereof
The strength of the conflicting armies was now swelled to a large amount. Sir Thomas Fairfax
was made general of the north by Parliament, with a force of 21,000 men, including 6,000 horse
and 1,000 dragooneers; while Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice, the king's nephews, commanded
an army of equal strength, on behalf of the king, with the Earl of Derby in Lancashire,
and Sir Marmaduke Langdale and Lord Byron,'' ISaron of Rochdale, in Cheshire, Shropshire,
1 Dated Preston, in LancasMre, Oct. 17, 1643. * Journals of the Lords, Sept. IS, 1648. « Ibid.
« This victory, says Whitelogk, was the more discoursed of because » The Manchester Ciassis held its meetings in the Refectory of the
Eigby was a lawyer. College. The first meeting was held February 16th, 1646-7, and minutes
•' Ihe spnit ra which some of the clergy had complied with the royal were taken ot its proceedings, which extend to August 14th 1660.— 0.
injunction to read the"BookofSport3,"maybeeonceivod from the remark ' Journals ol the Commons, June 1, 1643.
of one of them, who, after having read the declaration, said, "Dearly » Sir John Byron, for his services at Edge HiU, Eoundway Down, and
beloved, you liave heard now the commandments ot God and man, obey elsewhere in the Royalist cause, was created Baron Byron of Rochdale,
which you please." i„ jin, county palatine of Lancaster, Oct. 24, 1643.— C.
CHAP. XV,
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
299
and Wales. The preparations on both sides were such as mi<^ht be extiPnt^^ «t fi,. „
of a campaign which was intended to terminate the conS tLS .I i «P"fiencement
(Dec. 26) the Idng's forces under Lord Bvrov, hn^ n^? • i ^°.^^'^^*^^ ^^^ close of the last year
U obliged theli^nemies to seek rl^fin^ LancLtr"'-" -"P"'*'?-' victory at Nantwih,
the Earl of Newcastle was t^ hive rtt;cSd thS'\,f,'<^S^^ '" '^'Vi^'' f '^'
Fairfax into Staffordshire disconcerted the ^^'nnf ^™expected advance
attention to that quarter. The LLSsHre foroP. tn ?>! F^'^'K'"'^ ^L "^'^^^ *^^
large body of cudgeller\ finding theZ^t^^^curU^ t i:tf^±!r±bJ''^,,^
campaign,
of Sir Thomas
earl's
summons ot
Fairfax and Sir William BreretoS near Nantwich n frorit nf w>,-\ V,f '^^''^v^ J™'^'°'' "^'^^
Prince _ Rupert ; Warrmgton had yielded; Wigan—" faithful
Wigan —could no longer hold its own ; Thurland Castle, the
last remaining stronghold in North Lancashire, had capitulated;
and Lathom House, the princely seat of the Earl of Derby, alone
held out. The winter of 1643-4 was employed in strengthening
the defences of the several towns in the county, all of which
were then in the hands of the king's enemies, and vast prepara-
tions were made for the renewal of the conflict. On Saturday
the 24th of February, 1643-4, a council of Parliamentary
officers— the Holy State, as it was called— was held at
Manchester, wl^en it was finally resolved that an attack on
Lathom should be made. Sir Thomas Fairfax undertook the
command, with the assistance of Colonel Assheton of Middleton,
Colonel More of Bank Hall, and the irrepressible Colonel Rigby,
who, in the interest of the Parliament, was head, and heart, and
hand, and almost everything else of importance in the county.
This mansion, which the dangers of the ' times had converted
into a fortress, was, in the absence of the earl, defended by
Tremouille, the Countess of Derby, assisted by Major Farmer and
the Captains Farington, Charnock, Chisehhall, Rawstorne, Ogle, and
Molyneux. _ On the arrival of his army before Lathom House, Sir
Thomas Fairfax obtained an audience with the countess, who had
disposed her soldiers in such a way as to impress the Parliamentary
general with a favourable opinion of their numbers and discipline.
The oifer made to the countess in this interview by Sir Thomas was
that, on condition of her surrendering the house to the troops under
his command, herself and her children and servants, with their property, should be safely
removed to Knowsley, there to remain, without molestation, in the enjoyment of one-half of the
earl's estates. To this alluring proposal her ladyship mildly but resolutely replied that a double
trust had been confided to her — faith to her lord and allegiance to her sovereign ; and that without
their permission she could not make the required surrender in less than a month, nor then without
their approbation. The impetuous temper of the Parliamentary army could not brook this delay,
and after a short consultation it was determined to besiege the fortress rather than attempt to carry
it by storm. At the end of fourteen days, while the works were constructing. Sir Thomas Fairfax
sent a renewed summons to surrender, but with no better success, the reply of the countess being
that she had not forgot her duty to the Church of England, to her prince, and to her lord, and that
she would defend her trust with her honour and with her life. Being ordered into Yorkshire, Sir
Thomas confided the siege to Colonel Peter Egerton and Major Morgan, who, despairing of success
from negotiation, proceeded to form the lines of circumvallation with all the formality of a German
siege. "The progress of the besiegers was continually interrupted by sallies from the garrison,
■ which beat the soldiers from their trenches, and destroyed their works. At the end of three
months a deep trench was cut near the moat, on which was raised a strong battery, where
> Lordt.Byron's letter to the Marquis of Ormonde, dated Chester, Jan. SO, 1643-4.
TOWER — HORNBY CASTLE.
300
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE.
GHAP. XV.
a mortar was planted for the casting of grenades. In one of these discharges the ball fell
close to the table at which the countess and her children were sitting, and broke part ot the
furniture to atoms. A gallant and successful sally, under Major Farmer, and Captains Molyneux
Radcliffe and Chisenhall, destroyed these works, killed a number of the besieging army and
captured' the mortar The countess not only superintended the works and commanded the
operations, but frequently accompanied her gallant troops to the margin of the enemy s
trenches The Parliament, dissatisfied with all this delay, superseded Colonel Egerton, and
confided the command to Colonel Rigby. Fresh works were now erected, but they
shared the fate of their predecessors; and Colonel Rigby, on the approach oi Prince Rupert
into Lancashire, was obliged to raise the siege at the end oi four months, and to seek
shelter for himself and his army in Bolton. Prince Rupert, alter the battle of Newark, marched
towards Lancashire, at the head of a powerful army, with the intention of raising the siege oi
Lathom House— in which he succeeded— and to recover the " lost county " of Lancaster, m which
he failed most deplorably. On his arrival at Stockport {Stopworth, as it was then called), seated
on the banks of the river Mersey, where the Parliament had a strong garrison, commanded by
Colonels Dukinfield and Mainwaring, he found the hedges lined with musketeers, who disputed
his passage. To secure the entrance of his troops, his highness despatched Colonel Washington,
at the head of a party of dragoons, to scour the hedges, which service the colonel performed with so
tiAMM^vr
AUTOGRAPH OF CHARLOTTE DE LA TREMOILLE, COUNTESS OF DERBY.
much success that the musketeers were driven from their station, and the prince, with his horse,
followed at their heels, pell-mell, into the town, which he took, with all the cannon and ammunition
and some hundreds of prisoners (May 25). Prince Rupert, without suffering his progress to be
arrested by the garrison at Manchester, advanced to Bolton. On his arrival before that place, on
the 28th of May, he was joined by the Earl of Derby, who had returned from the Isle of Man, and
was at the head of a considerable force, breathing vengeance against the assailants of his house,
when the resolution was taken, in a council of war, to carry the town by storm. The assault was
immediately commenced, but the resistance from the garrison was so vigorous that the assailants
were repulsed with the loss of two hundred men. Irritated, but not dispirited, by this failure,
another attack was resolved upon, which was led by the Earl of Derby, at the head of two hundred
chosen Lancashire men, chiefly of his lordship's tenantry. The fury of this assault was irresistible,
and the town fell into the hands of Prince Rupert. Colonel Rigby, Avho, on hearing of Rupert's
advance, had abandoned the siege of Lathom and fallen back upon Bolton, with a number of his
troops, escaped from the town, and, crossing the Yorkshire hills, marched to Bradford.
Unfortunately for his own character, and for the life of his noble companion in arms. Prince
Rupert refused to give quarter to the vanquished, and twelve hundred persons were put to the
sword after the battle was won. So great Avas the slaughter that, it has been said, there was
scarcely a Puritan family for miles round Bolton, that had not to mourn the loss of some member
who had fallen in the fight. It was a fatal day for Bolton, and, in the end, no less fatal to the head
of the Hoiase of gtanjey, fop the cruelties then practised were repaid with v^igeance in a few years
CHAP. XV.
THE HISTORY 01 LANCASHIRE.
301
later in the Market Place of the town. The siege of Lathom began on the 6th March, and
hostilities were carried on with varying fortunes until the 27th of May, on the morning of which,
while the dawn was deepening into day, Rigby in hot haste withdrew his forces from before the
walls. In the evening, the sun, as it went down in the west, shed its warm rays upon the plumed
helmets and glistening corslets of a triumphant army crossing the drawbridge, with drums beating
and colours flying, to tell the story of victory, and to proclaim relief to the heroic countess and the
gallant defenders of the " seven towered Lathom." The trophies of this day, consisting of the
colours taken at Bolton, were sent by the Earl of Derby to Lathom House, and were received by
the countess with great exultation.
The prince, without delay, advanced to Liverpool, where there was a strong garrison under the
command of Colonel Moore,' the governor of the town, and Member of Parliament for that borough.
His highness, whose sanguine disposition frequently hurried him on to hasty conclusions, did not
hesitate to pronounce that the place was too feeble to resist the prowess of his arms for a single
day; but, though the siege was prosecuted with great vigour, the fortress did not surrender in less
than three weeks from the time that the Royalist army brought their cannon to bear upon the
works. Before the garrison surrendered, ihef shipped off all the arms, ammunition, and portable
SIK ALEXANDER RIGBY.
effects; and most of the officers and soldiers went on shipboard, while a few made good the fort
which they rendered to the prince upon quarter but they Avere all put ^^ '^^'^%f.^;'^^,
thus secured two of the most important places in Lancashire, Manchester excepted. Prince Rupert
paS a hasty visit to his noble relative, the heroine of Lathom House, J^^^'J^SILrXZ
for strenfftheninc' the fortress by adding to the towers, bastions, and counterscarps. He then
contfnS hL marct by^^^^^^^ of Blackburn, to York, at the head of 20^00 men, where he joined
Ae Marquis of Newcastle, ke day after his arrival before that f y.' *1}^,|-^ '^^^^^^^^
of Marston Moor was fought (July 2). This engagement was "^^JX^^vt? *1^^^^^^
most numerous armies that were engaged during the whole course f t^f^^J^^^^^^^^^
British troops were here led to mutual slaughter. Prmce ^^^P^^*, who commanded ^^^ YaC^^^^S
of the Royalists, was opposed to Oliver Cromwell, who commanded the J^f . "^^ f^^^, ™7S^^^
army. The Marquis of Newcastle commanded on the left, and was opposed to Sir Thomas i^airlax
and Colonel Lambert. For some time the scale of victory hung m suspense, and both parties m
1 The Moores, or Mores, had been wealthy burgesses of Liverpool
from early times. One of the family, John de le More, appears first on the
hst of burgesses who, in 1295, guaranteed the payment of the wages of
the membe? returned as the representative of Liverpool m Parharaent.
Thev had prospered as merchants, were accounted the leaders of the
Syterian party in the town, and had become powerful rivals and
bitter enemies of the Stanleys.— 0.
2 Wbitelocli's Memorials, p. 91.
802
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CPAP. XV.
turn thought that the day was their own ; hut, after the utmost efforts of courage and skill, the
rout of the royal army became general, Prince Rupert's train of artillery was taken, and his whole
army pushed off the field of battle.' The Earl of Derby had accompanied Prince Rupert, and was
in the thick of the fight at Marston Moor. Three times, we are told, he rallied his men, but at
Marston, as at Edge Hill, the rash impetuosity of the prince turned victory into disaster, and the
king's cause was lost.
The civil wars were not now at an end, but their issue was no longer doubtful. The Marquis
of Newcastle, whose counsel had been disregarded, quitted the kingdom with mixed feelings of
disgust and despair, and Prince Rupert drcAV off the wreck of his army into Lancashire, where he
had the mortification to see the strongholds which he had recently obtained speedily reconquered.
After the battle of Marston Moor it was determined by Lord Fairfax to send 1,000 horse into
Lancashire, to form a junction with the Parliamentary forces from Cheshire and Derbyshire, for the
purpose of watching the motions of Prince Rupert, who marched to join the king's forces in
Cumberland and Westmoreland. Parliament had, in the meantime, passed an ordinance for a
grant of £3,000 to the forces of Lancashire \- and a plan was devised for the committees of Parlia-
ment, in Derbyshire and Lancashire, to join the association of the northern counties. One of the
objects of this association was to supply the forces of Lancashire with money to carry on the war.^
To mitigate the miseries of the sufferers in Lancashire, an ordinance was passed, that all officers
and soldiers under the command of Colonel Alexander Rigby
and Colonel Richard Shuttleworth, at Bolton or in other places,
by the loss of limbs, &c., and such women and children whose
husbands or fathers had been slain, or died in the service, should
be pensioned " out of the several sequestrations of papists and
delinquents, within the respective hundreds of Blackburn, Ley-
land, and Amounderness, or out of assessments provided for that
purpose ; but that no person should receive, by way of mainten-
ance, more than four shillings and eightpence per weeL"^ The
return of Prince Rupert into Lancashire was the signal for a
renewal of hostilities, deserving the name of little more than
skirmishes, though some of them are dignified in the despatches
of the day as " great victories." Fights took place near Ormskirk,
Up-Holland, and Preston, in the last of which Lord Ogleby and
Colonel Ennis were made prisoners.'* The Lancashire campaign
of this year was terminated by the surrender of Liverpool to
the Parliamentary forces under Sir John Meldrum (November
1), the Earl of Derby having failed in an attempt to relieve that
place, with a loss of 500 men killed and taken prisoners." Lord
i3yron, too, was little less unfortunate ; for, in a letter to the
Marquis of Ormonde, dated November 15, 1644, he says, "My
brother Robin is now a prisoner at Manchester, with some of
his officers, the rest being disposed of to other garrisons of
the rebels, and I am so unfortunate at this time as to have no exchange for him here.' Liverpool
is lost through the treachery of the common soldiers, who, not pressed with any other want but of
loyalty and courage, most basely gave up the town and the officers to the mercy of the rebels.'"
The county remamed for a time in a state of comparative tranquillity, though occasionally harassed
m the Fylde district by Sir Thomas Tyldesley. With the object of dislodging this resolute and
uncompromising partisan. Sir John Meldrum set out with a force from Manchester, and a fierce
encounter took place at Freckleton Marsh, on the estuary of the Ribble, near Kirkham. Tyldesley
rallied and reformed his men, but his efforts being unavailing, he crossed the Ribble and
marched on towards Meols." Victory followed victory. One position after another was forced and
one detachment after another dispersed, until, as Rushworth wrote, " there remained of unreduced
garrisons belonging to the king in Lancashire only Latham House and Green (halgh) Castle,"
the latter an embattled and moated structure which had been built on the banks of the Wvre
in 1490 by the First Earl of Derby.
In the midst of all this "unsuccessful and successful war," the condition of the inhabitants
ol Lancashire, owing to the spoil, rapine, and cruelty, which never fail to attend civil wars,
GUISENHALQH CASTLE.
' Rushworth, vi. 634.
2 Commons Journals, June 25, 1641.
■•" Ibid, July 1.
•* Ibid, Aug. 6.
» Col. Shuttloworth's Despatch, dated Whalloy, Aug. 1044.
° Wliitelock'a Memorials, p. 103.
' Carte's Original Letters and Papers, i, 70.
' Ibid, p. 71.
" Chetham Soc. v. l.\li. p. J3C, — C.
«SAP. XV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
803
Was most deplorable,
cover their nakedness.
In some parts of the county the people had scarcely anything left to
, They and then- children were without bread to eat; and their misery
was so extreme, that an order was issued by Parliament that, upon the 12th day of
September, being the day appointed for a solemn fast throughout the country, one half of
the pubhc collections to be made m all the churches within the cities of London and
Westminster, and within the line of communication, should be employed for the relief of
^!^^ V^oT ^stressed peoiple m the county of Lancaster, the money to be paid into the hands
of the Rey Mr. Herle and the Rev. Mr. Case, members of the Westminster Assembly of
Divines to be by them forwarded to Mr. John Hartley, of Manchester, and disbursed through
the medium of Mr. Heyricke, warden of Manchester; Mr. Harper, minister of Bolton; Mr.
Wood, minister of Warrington ; Mr. Lathom, minister of Douglas; Mr. Ambrose, minister
ot Preston; Mr. bhaw, minister of Aldingham; and Mr. Hipworth, minister of Whalley;
or any four ot them ^ The people, growing impatient from the protracted miseries of war, began
to demand its spee^ termination ; and surmises were entertained that the contest was prolonged
for the profit it afforded in places and pensions bestowed upon the members of the House of
Commons. To remove all suspicion on this head, an Act called " The Self-denying Ordinance "
was mtroduced and passed, by which all members of either House of Parliament were prohibited
from holding any command in the army.
The extensive revenues and patronage of the duchy of Lancaster having become objects of
contest between the conflicting parties, the duchy seal, by which the proceedings in court obtained
their ratification, was forcibly taken from Christopher Banister, the vice-chancellor of the county,
by the troops raised against the Parliament, without which seal neither sheriff nor justice of the
peace could be constituted, nor could common justice be administered to the inhabitants. To repair
this loss, the two Houses of Parliament ordained that a new duchy seal should be made ; that it
should have like power and validity as that formerly used, and that all acts done by the former
seal, since it was taken from the vice-chancellor, "should be utterly void, frustrate, and of no
effect." ^ One of the first documents to which the new duchy seal was attached was the patent of
John Bradshaw, Esq., as high sheriff of the county of Lancaster. ^ This year the Parliament assumed
the patronage of the ecclesiastical benefices of the duchy, and exercised that patronage by conferring
the living of the hospital of Leicester upon Mr. Grey, the brother of the Earl of Kent.
All the strong places in Lancashire were now in possession of the Parliamentary forces, with
the exception of Lathom House, and grants of money and munitions of war continued to be
dispensed by Parliament for the maintenance of these possessions.'' The garrison at Lathom having
made itself especially obnoxious by the "daily roberyes and plundering" of neighbouring Round-
heads, its submission was resolved upon. At the outset negotiations were entered into with the
Earl of Derby, who was then in the Isle of Man, with the view of securing the withdrawal of the
force stationed there without recourse to arms, but this coming to nothing, it was determined to
make another attempt to sieze the stronghold which had so long been a refuge and safe protection for
the cavaliers of Lancashire. For this purpose a besieging force was placed under the command of
Colonel Egerton, of Shaw ; Alexander Rigby, however, being again the moving spirit who directed'
the operations. The battle of Naseby, fought June 14, 1645, where the king commanded on one
side, aided by his nephews. Prince Rupert and Prince Maurice, and Fairfax on the other, aided by
Cromwell, proved most disastrous to the royal cause, and disabled the Cavaliers from prosecuting
the campaign in the northern counties. After that disastrous day the king marched to Chester,
with the intention of carrying the war into Lancashire, and of relieving Lathom House, which was
at that time again besieged by the Parliamentary forces. His majesty's ill -fortune still pursued
him, and he was doomed to sustain another defeat on Rowton Heath, in the neighbourhood of
Chester. The renewed siege of Lathom was commenced in the month of July, 1645, under the
command of General Egerton, at the head of 4,000 men. The Countess of Derby and her family
having retired to the Isle of Man, the command of the garrison was confided to Colonel Rawstorne,
aided by Major Munday and Captain Key, commanders of horse, and Captain Charnock, Captain
Farington, Captain Molyneux Radcliffe, Captain Henry Noel, Captain Worral, and Captain Roby.
For five months the siege was sustained with great spirit, in the hope that the king's troops would
be able to relieve the garrison ; but this expectation having been utterly disappointed,_ Colonel
Rawstorne and his brave companions in arms, who had become reduced to the last extremity, were
obliged to surrender this ancient and venerable edifice into the hands of the enemy on the 2nd
> Journals of the Commons, Sept. 11, 1644. assumed the powers o£ the iDuke of Lancaster, and in contravention
= ibid Nov 25 of the Act of 28 Edward III., retained it for four successive years,
"Godwin in his "mstoryof the Commonwealth," says thciheriff was John Bradsliaw, the head of the lino of Bradshaw in the parish
was "preside'nt" Bradshaw, but this is an error which has gained cur- of Bolton, and therefore only remotely connected with president
rency by frequent repetition. The person on whom the shrievalty was Bradshaw.— C. . , „ . ., , ^ t , „,...-
conferred when Parliament in 1644. exercising the Eoyal functions, * Journals of the Commons, April 6 and July 9, 104o,
304
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XV.
of December. The fall of Lathom House was the occasion of rejoicing in every Puritan town in
Lancashire ; The horns of the "great beast were all broken," and Parliament considered the event
of sufficient importance to call for a thanksgiving in the cities of London and Westminster. This
service beino' over, the House of Commons proceeded to consider what was to be done with the
fortress, when it was determined that it should be demolished ; and in virtue of this resolution the
towers and all the strong works were razed to the ground, and the house of Lathom, once the pride
and glory of Lancashire, was dismantled and ruined. The earl, on receiving intelligence of the
ruthless destruction wrought by the fanatical soldiers of Rigby, expressed himself in sorrow more
than in anger, and nothing can be more touching than his reflections upon the loss, or more apposite
than the texts of Scripture he, at the time, entered in his book of " Private Devotions " : " Our
holy and our beautiful house," he wrote, " where our fathers praised Thee, is burned with iire ;
and all our pleasant things are laid waste " (Isaiah Ixiv., 11) ; " I have forsaken mine house ; I have
left mine heritage ; I have given the dearly-beloved of my soul to the hand of her enemies. Mine
heritage is unto me as a lion in the forest, it crieth out against me " (Jeremiah xii., 7-8).
From the first breaking out of the troubles Chester had been secured by the commission of
array for the service of the king, but the besieging army under Sir William Brereton having been
reinforced by the ParUamentary troops from Lathom House, this ancient city was obliged to
surrender by articles of capitulation, between Lord Byron, the governor, and Sir William Brereton,
on the 3rd of February, 1645-6. The royal cause had now become hopeless, and the Scottish army
having marched into the centre of England, as the allies of the Parliamentary force, the king
surrendered himself into their hands at Newark on the 5th of May. The pressure of so large an
army as that maintained by Parliament fell heavily upon the public treasury ; and, in order to
replenish the finances, the two houses issued an ordinance for raising £60,000 per month for the
support of the forces, to which the county of Lancaster was required to contribute £529 3s. 2d.,
and the county of Chester £39 13s. lid. Immense sums of money were exacted from such persons
of property as had favoured the royal cause, and it was alleged that this was the only effectual
means of reaching the feelings of the " heart-malignants,'' by which name the partisans of the
king were distinguished by their enemies. Three years before this time Parliament had issued
ordinances, as we have already seen, for sequestrating " the estates of delinquents, papists, spies,
and intelligencers " throughout the kingdom, wherein it was directed that all bishops, deans, or
other persons, who have raised or shall raise arms against the Parliament, or shall be in actual
war against them ; or shall have contributed any money, arms, &c., towards the force of the enemy,
shall have their property sequestrated into the hands of sequestrators and committees in this order
named.^ The king, who could afford to his friends no protection against these exactions, consented
that they should pay such compositions as might be agreed upon between them and the Parliament ;
but when the Parliament demanded a bill of attainder and banishment against seven persons — the
Marquis of Newcastle, Lord Digby, Lord Byron, Sir Marmaduke Langdale, Sir Richard Granville,
Sir Francis Doddington, and Judge Jenkins — he absolutely refused compliance. A power was in
this way given to the committee of sequestration to allow " the delinquents, papists, and others " to
compound for their estates, on payment of a specific sum into the public treasury ; and the follow-
ing is
A CATALOGUE
Of the Lords, Knights, and Gentlemen of Lancashire wJio compounded for their Estates in the years 1646, tfcc, with the sum affixed
at which each Freeholder contracted : — •
£ s. d.
Ambrose Wm., ol Lowick, gent 129
Ashton Thomas, o{ Penketh 192 8 4
Aehton Thos., of Hestbank, yeoman 16 4
Adkins Nathaniel, of Broughton 31
Brown Ralph, of Aspeh [? Astley or AspuU] 11
Bate John, of Warbreok 11
Barker James, of Blackrod 10
Bridgeman Edward, of Warrington 100
Bowden Edward, of Kirbie 40
Baylcon Wm., of Barmaker 70
Brerea Launcelot, of Whittle 10
Bretherton John, of Leigh, gent 150
Breres Alex., of Martin, gent 82 4 5
Brown Wm., of Wigan 20 12
Brown Edward, of Woodplumpton 1 27 8
Bower Wm,, of Latham, yeoman 2,5
Brockelesse John, of Lancaster, gent 151
s. d.
17
13
£
Brownelow Randal, of Pemberton, husbandman ... 15
Baxter Charles, of Newton 21
Brabarn Thomas, of Whittington 122
Buttervforth Alex., of Belfield 3 B »
Byrom John, of Salford, gent 20116 6
Byrom Edward, of Salford, gent 2 6 8
Bowker Adam, of Salford 16
Bowker Peter, of Manchester 12
Beckingham Rowland, of Hornby 16
Carus Thoa. of Halton, gent 516 10
Chisenhall Ed., of Chisenhall, Esq 480
Charnoke Robert, of Astley, Esq 260
Cowling Thurstan, of Chorley 10 13
Collier James, of Bainford 36 8
Cooling James, of Chorley, mower 9
Croston Richard, of Heath-Charnock 12
Charnook Thomas, of Leyland, gent 58
1 The mere fact of professing the Roman Catholic religion subjected
" the delinquent " to forfeit two parts out of three of his whole estate,
and two p.art3 of his goods. The sittings of the committee of sequestra
tion for Lancashire were usually held at Preston.
CHAP. XV.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
305
Cotterell [? Catterall] John, of Brindle
Dawson ['! Danson] Thomas, of Rosthwaite, gent..!!
Dewhurst Wm., of Dewhurst, eent
Forth William, of Wigan !...!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fearnely Ann, of Warrington !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Fleetwood Joseph, of Penwortham, Esq..! !!!!!!!!!!!,
Finoham Ralph, of Cottam, gent
Farington Wm., sen., of Werden, Esq!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Foxcroft Henry, of Claughton !!
Foster Robert, of Coppull, tanner !!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Farington William, the younger, of Werden, gent!!!
Garside Gabriel, of Rochdale
Qerrard Thomas, of Ince, gent !!! !
Gerrard, Thos., of Aughton, gent. ..!..!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Gerrard Richard, of Bryn, Esq !!!!!!!!
Gerrard William, of Pennington !!!!!!!!!!!!
Gregson John Wood, of Plumpton ...!!!!!!!!!!
Holt Robert, of Castleton, Esq !.!!!!!!!!
Holt Kicliard, of Ash worth, gent !!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hough Robert, of Moston !!!!!!
Hey Ellis, of Eccles, gent !!!!!!!
Hancock John, of Clithero, yeoman !!!!!!!!!!!
Hesketh Robert, of Rufforth, gent. .!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Heap Thos., of Pilkington, gent !!.!!!!!!!!!!.!!!
Haughton Richard, of Ridley, gent !!!!.!!.!!!!!
Haughton Thomas, of Haughton !.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Hind Rd., of Overton, yeoman !!!!!!!!!
Hodginson Luke, of Preston !!.!!!!!!!!!!
Halsworth Thos,, of Heath-Charnock !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Haydock Roger, of Heapy .!.!!!!!
Heywood Peter, ef Heywood
Higham Thos., of Lancaster, deceased
Jackson John, of Overton, gent !!!!!
Kirby John, of Kirby, gent ! !!!!!!!!
Kitson Thomas, of Warton, gent
Livesey Rd., of Broadhalgb, gent
Leckonby Richard, of Elswick !!!
Moseley Nichols, of Ancotes, gent !!!!!!!!
Moseley Sir Edw., of Anootes
Mosley Francis, and Nichola-s, his son, of Coliyhurst,
gent
Morley Francis, of Wennington, gent
Morte George, of Blackrod, Esq !!!!!!!!!!!
Middleton Sir George, of Layton, Knt. and Bart.,
with £60 per annum settled
MoUineux Robt., of The Wood, gent. !!.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Norris John, of Bolton
Norris Alexander, of the same
Nuttall Joshua, of Church
Nowell Roger, of Read, Esq
Nicholson Francis, jun., of Poulton, yeoman
Norris Robt., of Kirby, yeoman
Norris Thomas, of Speak, Esq !.,!,.,.!!!!.
Ogle Cuthbert, of Whiston, gent
Orrell Rd., of Farrington, gent
Pendleton Henry, of Manchester
£
s.
d.
20
9
6
45
186
10
40
21
641
3
4
125
536
2
8
15
117
13
4
28
209
80
100
2
10
6
51
7
150
5,51
25
309
5 5
45 18
101
60
2 10
34
15
18
3 15
351
70 10
6
36 5
4
390
10
58 6
170
4874
200
160
46 10
855
240
50
15
20
736 4
6
1S3 3
4
107 11
8
508
120
22 10
80
Prescott William, of Upholland
Prestwich Sir Thomas, and Thomas,' "his' 'son! "of
Hulme '
Preston George, of Natby !!!!!!
Preston Thomas, of Holker, Esq.',"with"£i2o"per
annum settled
Potter Alexander, of Manchester! ! ! !
Pilkington John, of Adlington
Pilkington Richard, of Coppull
Prescot Robert, of Standish
Pilkington Richard, of Wigan
Rascoe John, of Aspeth [?A8puiii
Ryly Thomas, of Chatburn !!!!!!
Robinson Edmund, of Newland
Rigby Alex., of Burgh, Esq '.''..'.
Rawlingson Robt., of March-Grange!
Rivington James, of Euxton
Radcliffe William, of Balderston '!!!!!!!!!!!!.!!,!!!!!!!!
Raphson Edmund, of Ince-Bluudell !!!!!!!!!!!'
Rogerson William, of Coppull !!!!!.!!!!!!!!
Rainoara Nicholas, of Bindley . ! . ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! ! !!!!!!!!!!!!
Rogerson John, of Manchester ...!!!!!!!!!!! !
Seddon John, of Hentley [? Hindley ] !!!!!!!!.!!!!!!!!
Slaughter Hemy, of Lightcocks
Shartock [? Sharrock] Ralph, of Wolson [? mi't'onj!
Stanley Ferdinando, of Broughton
Sherrington Francis, of Boothes, Esq!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Summer John, and Wm., his son, of Leyland "!!!!!!.
Shaw Henry, of Langrope [? Langroyd]
Sandia Wm., of Easthwaite, gent. ...
Stanley Wm., of Woodhall, gent !!!.!!!!!!!
Southworth John, of Samlesbury ! . .
Talbot Sir John, of Salop, Knt !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Trevillian Robt., of Didsbury, yeoman....!!.! !!!!!!!!
Twiford Rich., of Didsbury, yeoman
Tempest William, of Wigan
Taylor John, of Oldham !!!.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.!!
Townson Robert, of Cansfield !.!!!!!!!!!!!!
Twiford Robt., of Didsbury, gent !!!!!!!!.!!!!!!
Valentine John, of Beaucliffe, in the parish of
Eccles, gent
Woodward Alex., of Sheviugton !!!!!!!!
Walker William, of Kirkham, gent ! . !
Wall Thomas, of Prescot
Wakefield John, of Standish, mower
Walmesley Edward, of Banister Hall
Welshman Hugh, of Samlesbury
Widdowes John, of Lawton, gent
Westfield Richard, of Overton !.
Wood John, of Prestwich
Wood Francis, of Gressingham
Whittingham Richard, of Clayton
Wildbore Augustus, of Lancaster, D.D
Winckley Wm., of Billington, gent
Windresse Wm., of Nether- Wiersdale
Wignall John, of Halsall
£
s.
d.
27
330
30
186
17
4
5
7 10
11
5
5
8
29
5
10
50
40
381
3
4
8046
14
12
6
15
11
1
10
5
21
11
10
4
18
4
10
130
50
150
373
10
805
23
50
46
13
358
18
9
444
50
n
44
7
14
10
2
5
45
15
4
255
4
9
44
175
20
20
114
3
34
.4
34
,0
51
15
118
132
2
6
26
0.
30 19
9
12
3
The foregoing "Catalogue,'' which is very incomplete, and certainly not remarkable for
accuracy, appears to have been copied by Mr. Baines from a small and scarce volume printed in
1655,^ " for Thomas Dring, at the signe of the George, in Fleet Street, neare Clifford's Inne, London."
All accurate list of the Lancashire compounders, with the particulars of their estates and the results
of their " delinquencies " consequently remains a work of the future, but the want has been in part
supplied by the Record Society in the exceedingly useful volumes edited by Mr. Walford D.
Selby, of the Record Office, in which is given a list derived from a contemporary index of the
compounders' names digested into counties, and containing nearly all the names of the Lancashire
dehnquents, with those of Cheshire also. As this index supplies many omissions in the list given
in previous editions of this work, we give it entire : —
Ambrose William, Lowicke
Anderton Hugh, Euxton
Anderton James, Birchley
Anderton William, Anderton
Ashton Edmund, Chatterton
Ashton Thomas, Penketh
Ashton Thomas, Hestbanek
Atkins Nathaniel, Broughton
Baines Jonathan, Nether- Wiersdale
Barker James, Blackroad
Barnes Thomas, West Darby
Bate John, Warrington
^ A reprint of this volume was issued to subscribers resident chiefly
in Lancashire and Cheshire in 1733, with the following title page : "A
Catalogue of the Lords, Knights, acd Gentlemen, that have Compounded
for their Estates. To which are added, some Gentlemen's names, which
40
were omitted in the former Edition. !London: Printed by Thomas Dring,
1655; and Chester: Re-printed by R. Adams, 1733. (Price Bound Two
Shillings.)"— 0.
806
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XV.
Batty Kichard, Netherborougli
Baxter Charles, Newton
Baylton William, Balnaker
Beardmau Peter, Orford and Warringtou
Beckingliam Rowland, Horneby
Beesley Thomas, Haighton
Blundell William, Crosby Parva
Boothe Henry, Knowsly
Bower William, Lathom
Bowker Adam, Salford
Bowker Peter, Manchester
Brabin Thomas, Whittington
Brade John, Cockerholme
Bradshaw John, Seale
Brand Edward, Lancaster
Breres Laurence, Whitle
Breres Alexander, Marton
Brethertou John, Heigh
Brockholda John, Lancaster
Brown Ealph, Aspall
Browne Edward, Woodplumpton
Browne William, Wigau
Brownlow Randall, Pemberton
Butler Wm. and Edw., Myerscough
Butterworth Alexander, Belfield
Byrom Edward, Salford
Byrom John, Salford
Caius Thomas, Halton
Catterall John, Brindle
Charnock Robert, Astley
Chisenhall Edward, Chisenhall
Chroychlow Richard, Claughton
Clarkson Thomas, Heighsham
Cole Thomas, for Jas. Butler et aliis
Collier James, Rainford
Cooling James, Chorley
Cowling Thurston, Chorley
Craven Robert, Dinkly
Cropper Grace, Cockerholm
Croston Richard, Heath- Charnock
Danson Tomas, Eoosecoett
Denis John, Cockerholme
Derby Countess of
Derby Earl of
Dewhurst William, Dewhurst
Dicconson Hugh, Wrayesholme
Dobson Hugh, Chipping
Eltouhead, Richd., senior, Sutton
Farrington Wm., senior, Werden
Farrington AVm., junior, Werden
Fearnely Anne, Warrington
Finch Ehzabeth, Croston
Finchmau Ralph, Caton
Fleetwood John, Penwortham
Forth William, Wigan
Foster Robert, Coppull
Foxcroft Henry, Clarkton
Gardner John, Cockerholme
Garside Gabriel, Rochdale
Gerrard Richard, Bryu
Gerrard Sir William, Bryun
Gerrard Thomas, Aughton
Gerard Thomas, Ince
Gerrard William, Pinnington
Gorsuch James, Gorsuch
Greene Richard, Bower House
Gregson John, Woodplumpton
Haidock Roger, Heapy
Halsworth Thomas, Heath-Charnock
Hancock John, Clitheroe
Harris Christopher, Chipping
Haulgh Robert, Mosden
Heape Thomas, PUkington
Hesketh Katherine, EuSbrth
Hesketh Robert, RufPorth
Hey Ellis, Eccles
Heywood Peter, Heywood
Higham Thomas, Lancaster
Hinde Robert, Overton
Hodgkinaon Luke, Preston
Hoghton Thomas, Hoghton
Holt Richard, Asheton
Holt Robert, Castleton
Hough Robert, Moston
Houghton Gilbert, Brainsoold
Houghton Gilbert, Wheelton
Houghton Richard, Ridley
Houghton William, Grimzargh
Hudson John, Barnaker
Jackson John, Overton
Jenkinson William, Pharleton
John Piscarius, Landeth
Kenion Richard, Ashworth
Kirkby John, Kirkby
Kirkby John, for Robt. Rawlinson, of
Marsh Grange
Kirkby Richard, Kirkby
Kitson Thomas, Warton
Lathom Richard, AUerton
Laughton Henry, Reinhill
Leekenby Richard, Elswick
Livesay Richard, Broadhalgh
Lund Ellen, Marscow [? Myerscough]
Melling William, Chorley
Middleton Sir George, Leighton
Molineux John, Ince Blundell
Molineux Lord
Molineux Robert, of The Wood
Morley Francis, Wenniugton
Morley Thomas, Wannington
Mort George, Blackrod
Mosely Nicholas, Collyhurst
Moseley Nicholas, Ancoats
Nelson Thomas, Wrightington
Nelson William, of The Gale
Nicholson Francis, Poulton
Nighall Miles, Heath Charnock
Norris Alexander, Bolton
Norris John, Bolton
Norris Robert, Kirbie
Norris Thomas, Speake
Norris William, Blackrod
North Richard, Docker
Nowell Roger, Read
Nuttall Jo.shua, Church
Ogle Cuthbert, Whiston
Orrell Richard, Farrington
Parker Jonathan, Bradkirke
Parkinson Richard, Swanshead
Parkinson Thomas, Infeild
Peirson Thomas, Miersough
Pendleton Henry, Manchester
Pilkington John, Adlington
Pilkington Richard, Coppull
Pilkington William, Wigan
Potter Alexander, Manchester
Prescott William, UphoUand
Preston John, Standish
Presto 1 Thomas, Holker
Preston William, EUell
Prestmch Sir Thomas, Hulme
Quick Richard, Woolton Magna
RadcliGfe William, Fox Denton
Radcliffe William, Balderston
Ranioars Nicholas, Hindley
Raphson Edmund, Ince Blunde
Rascow John, AspuU
Rawlinson Leonard, for Robt. Rawlinson,
of Marsh Grange
Redman Sir John, Wrayton
Renicars Richard, Pennington
Rigby Alexander, Burgh
Rigby James, Standish
Rishton Ralph, Stannell
Rishton William, Poulthagh
Rivington James, for John, Euxton
Robinson Edmund, Newland
Robinson John, Pendle Forest
Rogerson John, Manchester
Rogerson William, Coppull
Roscow John, Barrow
Ryly Thomas, Clitherow
Sandys Samuel, Esthuait
Saunderson Margaret, Winmarly
Scruton Robert, Calton
Seddon John, Findly
Singleton Thomas, Dendron in Furuess
Shaw Henry, Langroyd
Sherrington Francis, Booths
Sherrocke Ralph, Walton
Southworth John, Samlesbury
Standish Edward, Woosen
Stanley Ferdinando, Broughton
Stanley William, Woodhall
Stith, Thomas, Torrison
Stricklan Walter,f or George Preston,Natby
Sudall Lawrence, Fulwood
Sumner John, Leyland
Talbott John, Dickly
Talbott Sir John, Salbury
Taylor Elizabeth, for John, Oldham
Tempest William, Wigan
Threlfall Cuthbert, Goosnargh .
Tootle Hugh, Whittlehill
Townley Lawrence, Garstange
Townson Robert, Causfleld
Townsou Robert, Cockerholme
Twiford Richard, Didbury
Twiford Robert, Diddesljury
Valentine John, Beanecliffe
Vavasour Thomas, Preston
Wakefield Jonathan, Standish
Walker William, Kirkham
Wall Thomas, Prescot
AValmsley Edward, Bannister Hall
Ward Margaret, for Hugh, Haughton
Wareing John, Ormschurch
Wareing Thos., for John Dewhurst,
Comberall
Waterworth Hugh, Maudsly
Watermouth Richard, Mawdsly
Welchman Hugh, Samlesbury
Westby Francis, Miersoough
Westby John, Mowbricke
Westfeild Richard, Overton
White Henry and Robert, Kirklaud
White Robert, Kirkland
Whittle John, Wheeltou
Widdowes John, Lowtou
Wignall John, Halsall
Wildhore Doctor Augustus, Lancaster
Wilkinson Jonathan, Staiuton in Furnes
Wiuckley William, Billington
Windners William, Nether Wiersdale
Whittingham Richard, Clayton
Wood Francis, Qressingham
Wood Henry, Widnes
Wood John, Prestwich
Woodward Alexander, Sheviugton
^HAP. XV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 307
aUoJattatrie^^rwS^^^^^^^^ also sequestrated, but an
ance.^ The extensive estates ol the SlofD rbv shaie<f the^ J^^^^^^ '' '^''' ^•^^"*^^;
Charles. Lord Strange, Edward and Winiamth^eair sons fnrtlffi '.•''* w ^ f ^ition of
Catherine, and Amelia his daughters a fifth ivfrf nf ti. ' i^ . ^^^^^^ Hennetta-Maria,
maintenance, and the manor ot^n^^^;, S tRol^td tn^hl^l^g S^t^^
of that allowance with a strict mjunction that no timber should be felled upon the lands but fhat
the same should be preserved according to the order of sequestration ^ ^ ' ^ *^^*
The national religion, so far as regarded its government, was now changed- Presbvterianism
Sor^tT thln^hTSiVrof h1 ^p^^y*--?^ Parliament of England becC^ m?r7virnT S
coMormity tnan the Louit of High Commission which the Parliament had destroved The
arbirary imposition of he covenant upon every minister of the Anglican Church was the first
result and nurnbers of incumbents were ejected' from their Uvings fbr their refasal to sSn this
obligation.^. The Independents,, however, were the ascendant party in Parliament and fhoS
their principles reject alL ecclesiastical establishments and all iuman interference in matters of
religion, they so far sacrificed their own views as to submit to a temporary tSa of " PrrbTterial
Sun fr™"'"''*- ,^^^^^°^^^t ^J^<i «l^°«^n ^n assembly of divines to obtain their adS fn
aS f ^°^?^^«^*; liturgy, and doctrine of the church ; and this synod, usually called The
Assembly of Divines, naet at Westmmster, in Henry YII.'s Chapel, for the first time on the 1st of
July, 1643, to secure the government and liturgy of the Church of England ; some of the counties
having two and others only one member. Lancashire had two— namely, Richard Heyricke M A
warden of Manchester, and Charles Herle, M.A., rector of Winwick. The assembly consisted of
thirty laymen, viz., ten peers and twenty commoners, and one hundred and twenty-one divines and
three scribes Their first duty was to draw up the confession of faith, and the larger and shorter
catechism still m use amongst the evangelical dissenters. As soon as the Assembly had prepared
the Directory for Public Worship," Parliament ordered the Book of Common Prayer to be set
aside, and on the 23rd August, 1^45, enjoined that all ministers should read the "Directory" to
their people on the next Lord's Day after receiving it, and that henceforward persons usino- the
Hook o± Common Prayer, m public or in private, should be fined for the first offence £5 for the
second £10 and for the third a whole year's imprisonment. In London and Lancashire the
" Humble Advice of the Westminster Assembly of Divines " concerning church government was
promptly adopted. The plan recommended was to divide England and Wales into provinces, and
annual conferences were appointed for the regulation of ecclesiastical affairs. Preston," from its
central situation, was selected as the place for holding the first meeting of the Lancashire Classis,'
which were formed according to the following :—
OEDINANCE OF PARLIAMENT.
LANCASHIRE CLASSICAL PRESBYTERIES.
Die Veneris, 2d October, 1646.
The County of Lancaster is divided into the nine classical Presbyteries following : —
I. CLASSIS.
Parishes of Manchester, Prestwich, Oldham, Flixton, Eocles, and Ashton-under-Lyne.
MlNlSTKES. LA-TMBN. Thomas Smith of Manchester ^
Mr. Eichd Heyricke 1 ^ , , Robert Hyde of Denton, Esqr Peter Serjant of Pilkington !-
-RdHolIinworth l*^*"''""^'^^'' Richd Howorth of Manchr, Esq. Robert Leech of Ashton J
John Angier of Denton Eobt. Ashton of Shepley, Esq. John Wright of Bradford A
Wm Walker of Newton Thos. Strangeways of Gorton, Esq. Wm. Peake of Worsley
Toby Fumes of Prestwich Wm. Booth of Reddish \ ri Thos. Taylor of Flixton
Humphrey Barnet of Oldham John Gaskell of Manchr ( J Thos. Barlowe of Eccles
John Jones of Eccles Edw. Sandifcrth of Oldham ( S Peter Seddon of Pilkington
John Harrison of Ashton-under-Lyne . John Birch of Openshaw ) C3 James JoUie of Droylsden
* Ordinance of Parliament, July 11, 1645. tliemselves clamoured for liberty and struggled against religious
f Order of the Committee, dated Manchester, Sept. 24, 1647. persecution. — 0.
? The number of Church clergy ejected has been variously estimated. * The meetings of the Provincial Assembly were held seventeen times
Neal', the historian of the Puritans, puts it at one thousand six hundred, in Preston, twice in Wigan, twice in Bolton, and once in Blackburn,
while Walker, in his " Sufferings of the Clergy," names eight thousand. The first meeting was held in Preston, in August, 1648, when Isaac
though this latter is palpably an overstatement; the petition presented Ambrose preached and Mr. James Hyett was appointed moderator.—
to General Sir Thomas Fairfax in 1647 opens thus — "The humble petition Minutes of the HJanchenter Ciassis. — C.
of Tiiamj thousands of the poor Clergy of England and ^Wales, Ac." The ^ The "Minutes of the Manchester Ciassis" are in the possession of
probability is that tlie number sequestered for refusingthecovenantwas the Trustees of Cross Street Chapel, Manchester, but an accurate tran-
from five thousand to six thous.and, but be the numbSr what it might, script is preserved in the Chetham Library.— C.
the tyranny of the proceeding was odious as coming from men who bad
O
-a
r o
308
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XV,
II. CLASSIS.
Parishes of Bolton, Middleton, Bury, Rachdale, Dean, and Radcliffe.
Ministers.
Mr. John Harper of Rolton
Wm. Ashton of Middleton
Wm. Alte
Andrew Lathom
John Scholfield of Bury
Robert Bathe of Ratchdale
Alexander Horrocks
John Tilsley
James "Walton of Dean
Thomas Pvke of Radcliffe
Laymen.
Ralph Aahton of Middleton
John Bradshaw of Bradshaw
Edm. Hopwood of Hopwood
Bobt. Leaver of Darcy Leaver
Edw. Butterworth of Belfield
Ralph Worthington of Smithells
John Andrews of Little Leaver
Robt. Heywood of Heywood
Peter Holt of Heape
Arthur Smeathurst of Heape
Thos. Eccersall of Bury
James Stot of Healey
Robert Pares of Ratchdale |
Hy Molyneux of West Houghton (
John Bradshaw of Darcy Leaver
John Scol&eld of Castleton I
Gyles Green of West Houghton |
Henry Seddon of Heaton ]
Roger Hardman of Radcliffe |
Rich. Dickenson of Aynsworth J
Emanl Thompson of Ratchdale, Clothr
Samuel Wilde of Ratchdale, Mercer
O
m. CLASSIS.
Parishes of Blackburn, Whalley, Chipping, and Ribble Chester.
Ministers.
Mr. Adam Boulton of Blackburn
Rt. Worthington of Harwood
Rich. Redman of Low Church
Wm. Walker of Whalley
Henry Morrice of Burnley
John Bryers of Padiham
Wm. Ingham of Church
John King of Chipping
Laymen.
Sir Ralph Ashton, Bart.
Rich. Shuttleworth, Sen.
Rich. Shuttleworth, Jun.
John Starkie
John Parker
Rich. Ashton of Downham
John Livesay of Livesay
Thos. Barcrof t of Barcroft
nil. CLASSIS.
Nicholas Cunlifife of WycoUar
Robt. Cunliffe of Sparthe
„• John Cunliffe of Hollins
u Nicholas Rishton of Auteley
3^ Roger Geliborn of Bedwood
Wm. Yates of Blackburn
John Howorth of Clayton
a Thos. Whalley of Rishton
O Chas. Gregory of Haalinden
H
Parishes of Warrington, Winwick, Leigh, Wigan, Holland, and Presoot.
Ministers.
Mr. Chas. Herle of Winwick
Thos. Norman of Newton
James Woods of Ashton
Wm. Leigh of Newchurch
Hen. Atherton of Hollinfaire
Bradley Hayhurst of Leigh
Thos. Crompton of Astley
James Bradshaw of Wigan
Thos. Tonge of Hindley
Henry Shaw of Holland
Wm. Plant of Earn worth
Rich. Modesley of EUins
Timothy Smith of Rainforlh
John Wright of Billinge
Laymen.
Wm. Ashurst of Ashurst
Peter Brook of Sankey
Wm. Vernon of Shakerley
John Dunbabin of Warrington
Thos. Risley of Warrington
Robt. Watmough of Winwick
Gilbert Eden of Winwick
John Ashton of Newton
Jas. Pilkington of Ashton
Rich. Astley of Tildesley
Henry Morrice of Atherton
Alex. Tompson of Wigan
Peter Harrison of Hindley
Thos. Sephton of Skelmersdale
W
O
Jeffrey Birchall of Orrel
John Latham of Whiston
Wm. Barns of Sankey
John Marsh of Bold
Thurstan Peak of Warrington
Edw. Heaton of Billing
George Aynsworth of Newton
Arthur Leech of West Leigh
Peter Smith of West Leigh
Thomas Guest of Astley
Geo. Dean of Rainhill
John Rylands of Sutton
Roger Topping of Dalton
Peter Leyland of Haydock
a
a
a
V. CLASSIS.
Parishes of Walton, Hyton, Child well, Sephton, Altker, North- Meals, Halsall, Ormskirk, and Aughton.
Ministers.
Mr. Wm. Ward of Walton
John Fog of Liverpool
Robert Port of Toxteth
RicK Pickering of Kirkeby
Wm. Norcot of Darby
Wm. Bell of Hyton
David Ellison of Childwall
Benry Bolton of Hale
Josh. Tompson of Sephton
John Kid of Crosby
Robert Seddon of Altker
James Starkie of North Meals
Thos. Johnson of Halsal
Mr. Wm. Dune of Ormskirk
James Worral of Aughton
Laymen.
John Moor 1 „
Gilbert Ireland /^*"3''^-
Jn. Wilkinson Sen. of Liverpool
Jerb. Aspiuwall of Toxteth
Peter Ambrose of Toxteth
Henry Mercer of Darby
Wm. Plomb of Woolton
James Moss of Crossend
Thos. Hesketh of Halsal
Thos. Bootle of Melling
n
Hugh Cooper of Ormskirk
Peter Blundell of Scarisbrick
Jas. Cross of Aughton
Nicholas Cooper of Kirkdale
Edw. Chambers of Liverpool
Henry Woods of Kirkby
Thos. Thomason of Darby
Thos. Tyrer of Hyton.
Bryan Soothworth of Tarbocke
John Williamson of Woolton
Thos. Rothwell of Ince
Wm. Watkiuson of Blowick
Wm. Wilson of Lidyate
n
r o
VI. CLASSIS.
Parishes of Croston, Leyland, Standish, Ecclestou, Penwortham, Hoole, and Brindle.
Ministers. Laymen.
Mr. James Hyett of Croston Sir Richard Houghton, Bart.
Paul Lathom of Standish Peter Cateral of Crook, Esqr.
Edward Gee of Eccleston Tho,s. Wilson of Wrightington \
Henry Welch of Chorley John Cliffe of Brotherton I 5
James Lingley of Leyland John Benson of Winnel ( §
Ralph Marsden of Brindle Ralph Leaver of Chorley j '^
Roger Haddock of Chorley, yeoman.
Edward Doughty of Adlington
John Pincock of Euxton
Alex. Chisnal of Whittle
Geo. Dandy of Croston
Thos. Wasley of Chorley
John Crane of Eccleston
John Cowdray of Longton
CHAP, XV.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
309
Ministers.
Mr. Isaac Ambrose 1 _
Bobert Yates |I'reston
Ed. Fleetwood of Kirkham
Thos. Cranage o£ Gosenargh
Chr, Edmondson of Qarstauge
John Sumner of Poulton
VII. CLASSIS.
Parishes of Preston, Kirkham, Garstang, and Poulton.
Latmbk.
Alexander Rigbv 1 m
WilUamLangton/^'*'!'^-
S, C Matthew Addison of Preston
^ -l Wm. Sudal of Preston
^ I, Wm. Cottiim of Preston
Edwd. Downs of Wesam
Thos. Nioksou of Plompton "v
Robt. Crane of Leatou I
"Wm. Latewise of Gatteral j
Riohd. Whitehead of Garstange j
Edward Veal of Laugton, Esq.
Richd. Wilkins of Kirkham ) „
Edmd. Turner of Gosenarg ( "omen.
VIII. CLASSIS.
Parishes of Lancaster, Cockerham, Claughton, Melling, Tatham, Tunstal, Whittmgton, Warton, Bolton, Helton, and Husom.
Ministers.
Mr. Nehmt- Barnet of Lancaster
John Sill of Gressingham
Peter Atkinson of EUel
Nicholas Smith of Tatham
Rd. Jackson of Whittington
Riohd. Walker of Warton
John Jaques of Bolton
Thomas Whitehead of Halton
Laymen.
Henry Porter of Lancaster
Wm. West of Middleton
Wm. Turner of Melling
Thos. Rippon of Lancaster
Wm. Gardner of Glaason
Thos. Toulson of Lancaster
Geo. Toulson of Lancaster
Thos. Clayton of Wiersdale
Robert Lucas of Kellet,
yeoman.
Robert Curwen of Kellet, Gent.
Wm. Greenbank of Halton
James Thornton of Melling
Wm. Wither of Brownedge
Edmd. Barwick of Highfield
Robt. Eskrigg of Whittington
Henry Storry of Storry
Christopher Shearson of EUel
Henry Holme of Kellet.
Robt. Rawlinson of Greenhead
Thos. Fell of Scarthwaite
Wm. Rawhnson of Graithwaite
Thomas Dawson of Lear 1 „
Richd. Ayres of Belefe f ^^°^^^-
- Gentn.
IX. CLASSIS.
Parishes of Aldmgham, Ursewiek, Ulverstone, Hauxhead, Coulton, Daulton, Cartmel, Kirkby, and Wennington
Ministers. Laymen.
Mr. Thomas Shaw of Aldingham Thomas Fell "l „
Philip Bennet of Ulverstone Edward Rigby |™V3-
(William) Kemp of Hauxhead Adam Sands of Booth )
Bryan Willow of Coulton John Sawry of Plympton } Gentn.
John Marigold of Cartmel Wm. Knipe of Cartmel )
Resolved, by the Lords and Commons assembled in Parliament, —
That they do approTe of the division of the County of Lancaster into the nine Classical Presbyteries, represented from
the said County.
Resolved, — That the said houses do approve of the Ministers and other persons represented from the County of Lancaster,
as fit to be of the several and respective Classes into which the said County is divided.
JE : BROWN", Cler. Parliamentorum.
HEN. ELDYNGE, Cler. Pari D. Com.
Despite the vigilance and exertions of the Presbyterian ministers and elders, the principles of
Independency made considerable progress, and "vvere embraced by nearly the -^yhole of the Lancashire
forces. Frightened out of their calm thoughts by the threatened rivalry, they denounced with one
voice toleration both in its modified and its unmitigated form, and as early as March 3rd, 1647, a
month after the first meeting of the Classis, "we find them preparing an address to Parliament, to
which 8,500 signatures were obtained, calling upon the House to put down " Anabaptists,
Brownists, Heretics, Schismatics, and Blasphemers," and stigmatising the sectarian spirit of the times
as a "fretting leprosie and eating leprosie. ' The Independents are not named, but it is probable
they were included among the Schismatics, in which case it must be admitted that the efforts of
the signatories were of small avail. After the example of their brethren in London and in
some of the counties, the Lancashire ministers, in the early part of 1648, adopted and signed " The
Harmonious Consent," which appears to have been drawn up by Heyricke, and in which all kinds
of sectaries are vehemently denounced. This extraordinary document was subscribed by nearly all
the Presbyterian ministers of the county,^ the following being the signatories to it — eighty-four
in all : — ■
Richard Heyricke, warden of Christ CoUedg in Manchester
Richard HoUingworth, fellow of Christ Colledg in Manchester
Robert Yates, pastor of the Church at Warrington
Bradley Hayhurst, preacher of the word at Leigh
Alexander Horrooks, minister of the Gospel at Deane
John Tilsley, pastor of Dean
John Harper, pastor of Bolton
Richard Goodwyn, minister of the Gospel at Bolton
Richard Benson, minister of ChoUerton
William Alt, min. of Bury
Robert Bath, pastor of Rachdal
William Assheton, pastor of Middleton
John Harrison, pastor of Ashton-under-Lyne
Thomas Pyke, pastor of Radcliff
John Angier, pastor of Denton
John Walker, minister of the Gospel at Newton-Heath chapel
Toby Furnesse, minister of the Gospel (Bury ?)
John Joanes, min. of Eccles
> A similar "Attestation" was agreed to by the ministers of Cheshiro, May 2, 1648, and signed at their meeting at North wich on the 6tb of
July following,— C,
SIO THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. ohap xv.,
Edward Woolmer, min. of Plixton James Hyet, pastor of Croston
Eobert Gilbody, preacher at Holcome Thomas Cranage, pastor of Brindle
Jonathan Scholefield, min. at Heywood Edward Gee, minister of the Gospel at Eccleston
Thomas Holland, min. of Ringley Paul Latham, pastor of Standish
Thomas Clayton, min. of Didsbury Samuel Joanes, pastor of Hoole
Robert Constantine, min. of Ouldham Henry Welch, min. at Chorley
Peter Bradshaw, min. of Cockey Wil. Browusword, preacher at Dugglas
John Brierley, preacher at Salford James Criohely, preacher at Penwortham
Thomas Johnson, min. of the Gospel at Halsal Edward Fleetwood, pastor at Kirkham
William Bell, pastor of Hyton Isaac Ambrose, pastor of Preston
William Dun, min. of the Gospel at Ormeskirk William Addison, lecturer at Preston
James Worrall, pastor of Aughton Wilham Ingham, minist. at Goosenarghe
William Aspinwal, preacher of God's Word at Mayhall (Maghull) Matthew Moore, minister at Broughton
John Mallison, min. of God's Word at Melling Christopher Edmundson, pastor at Garstang
Robert Seddon, min. of God's Word at Alker (Altcar) Thomas Smith, preacher at Garstang chapel
Will. Noroot, minister of West Derby John Breres, minister at Padiham_
Will. Ward, min. of the Gospel at Walton Richard Jackson, pastor at Whittington
Nevil Kay, pastor at Walton Nicolas Smith, pastor of Tatham
Henry Boulton, preacher at Hale Robert Shaw, pastor at Cockerham
John Fogge, pastor of Leverpoole James Soholecroft, minister at Caton
Joseph Tompson, min. of Sephton Thomas Whitehead, pastor at Halton
Jo. Kyd, min. of Much-Crosby Peter Atkinson, minister of EUel
James Bradshaw, pastor of the Church at Wigan John Jaques, minister of Bolton (le Sands)
James Starkey, pastor of North-meoles Richard Walker, minister of Warton
James Wood, preacher of the Word at Asheton in Makerfield Philip Bennet, minister of Ulverston
Thomas Norman, pastor of Newton William Smith, minister of Over-Kellet
Timothy Smith, preacher of the Word at Rainforth Brian Willan, minister of Coulton
John Wright, pastor of Billinge Peter Smith, minister of Shireshead (Shire-Side)
Henry Shaw, pastor of Holland Edward Aston, minister of Claughton
Thomas Crompton, min. of the Gospel at Astley Thomas Denny, minister of Wiersdalle (Wyerodale)
William Bagaley, min. of the Gospel at Burtonwood Thomas Fawcet, minister of Overton
William Leigh, preacher of the Word at Newchurch Will. Garner, preacher of the Gospel
Richard Mawdesley, pastor of Ellins (St. Helens) John Smith, minister of Melling
In the course of this year a memorable petition, subscribed by 12,500 "well-affected gentle-
men, ministers, freeholders, and other inhabitants of the county palatine of Lancaster," was sent to
the two Houses of Parliament, expressive of the ardent desire of the petitioners for the settlement
of the religion of the state, according to the solemn covenant, and for the suppression of schism,
heresy, and blasphemy, and for the continued union and good correspondence between England
and Scotland. To this it was replied that Parliament held themselves obliged by the zeal of the
petitioners in favour of these important objects, and particularly by their attachment to the solemn
league and covenant. On the 9th of December Parliament resolved that the several Classis in
Lancashire should form one province ; and on the same day it was announced that Sir Richard
Hoghton, Colonel Edward Rosseter, Colonel Edmond Harvey, Colonel Thos. Wayte, Mr. Henry
Arthington, Mr. Robert Clive, Sir John Fenwick, Mr. Robert Charlton, Mr. Thos. Broughton, Sir
Francis Drake, Colonel George Booth, Mr. Alex. Thistlethwayte, Mr. John Spelman, Mr. Walter
Kirle, Sir Richard SkefEngton, Mr. E. Crymes, Mr. John Dixwell, Mr. John Lloyd, Mr. Wm.
Crowther, Sir James Harrington, Col. Edward Harley, Mr. Robert Parker, Mr. Humphrey Edwards,
Mr. Edmund Fowell, Col. John Birch, had taken the solemn league and covenant.
Although the king was a prisoner, and the royal cause for the present seemed utterly hopeless,
another attempt was made in 1648 to re-light the embers of civil war. General Langdale, an
officer in the interest of the king, had assembled a considerable force in the northern counties, near
the Scotch frontier, and an army was collected in Scotland, to be placed under the command of
the Duke of Hamilton, which was intended to penetrate into England, to retrieve the fortunes of
the Stuarts. The approach of this force produced a deep sensation in Lancashire, and repeated
meetings of the county were called, to provide the necessary force to resist the invaders, and to
secure the persons and property of the inhabitants. The House of Commons, fully aware of the
approaching danger, despatched Col. Ashton, Major Brooke, and Mr. Fell, members of that house,
into Lancashire, with instructions from the committee at Derby House to employ their best
endeavours for the safety and preservation of the county;^ and Peter Bold of Bold, Esq., and John
Anderton of Anderton, Esq., were added to the committee of Lancashire. Early in May Colonel
Rigby convened a general meeting of the gentry at Bolton, at which it was agreed to raise forthwith
all the forces of the county, and warrants were issued for that purpose. On the following Monday,
another general meeting was held at Preston, when it was resolved that all the forces of the county
that could be raised in time to the south of Garstang should march to Lancaster, to co-operate with
the forces of the hundred of Lonsdale, stationed at that place ; and the forces of the hundred of
Amounderness, with horse and foot, under the command of Lieut. -Colonel Alexander Rigby, marched
' Journals of tho Commons, May 17, 1648.
CHAP. XV.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
311
without delay.' An additional brigade was ordered to be raised in the county, the command of
which was confided to Colonel Ralph Ash ton, now advanced to the rank of Major-General of the
Lancashire forces, with the " entertainment" of forty shillings per diem, over and above his pay of
colonel of horse, and colonel of foot, with instructions to join Major-General Lambert, in the service of
the north. For the purpose of infusing the requisite vigour into these military preparations, a
month's pay in advance was ordered for the officers and soldiers of the county of Lancaster, and
£4,000 was directed to be paid out of the sequestrations of "Westmoreland for that purpose, with
£10,000 out of the grand excise for their further payment. The officers and soldiers of the county
of Lancaster in May put forth a declaration, in Avhich they protested that " they owned the solemn
league and covenant of the three kingdoms ; " that they Avould support the established government
of "king, lords, and commons, according to the laws of the land and the declarations of the present
Parliament ; " that as to " papists, popish persons, malignant abettors of former innovations, usurpa-
tions, or oppressions, or other disaftected persons, they detested them from the bottom of their
hearts, and would resist them with their lives and fortunes." At this period the danger was
considered so imminent that the assizes for the county palatine were adjourned sine die, and the
iudges were ordered to postpone the assizes in the whole of the northern circuit.- All eyes were
now turned upon this part of the kingdom, and reports were made from Lancashire to the Parlia-
ment almost at every sitting, indicating the approach of the enemy, and the state of preparation
in which the county stood for their reception. A committee was appointed in Parliament, under
the designation of "The Committee of Lancashire," which sat at Derby House; and by this body
it was ordered that four colonels of foot and two of horse, with their regiments, then in readiness
in the northern part of the county, should join Major-General Lambert. Colonel Alexander Rigby
THE HODDER BRIDGE.
commanded one of the regiments of horse, and Colonel Nicholas Shuttleworth the other ; while
Colonel Dodding, Colonel Standish, Colonel Ashton, and Colonel Ughtred Shuttleworth were placed
in command of the foot regiments. The campaign opened on the 4th of July with an engagement
between Colonel Lilburne, at the head of a party of 600 horse, and Sir Richard Tempest, with a
superior force, which terminated in favour of the colonel, who captured 600 of the enemy s horse
and made 300 prisoners.' At length it was announced that the Duke of Hamilton had entered
England at the head of 17,000 troops, and that it was his purpose to march from Cumberland along
the western coast, while General Sir Marmaduke Langdale advanced m a parallel direction from
Northumberland, keeping to the east, but so arranging their plan of operation that they might be
able to form a speedy junction, when, by the nature of the service, it might be required. Ihe
force under General Lambert was found wholly insufficient to arrest this torrent from the north,
and OHver Cromwell was ordered by Parliament to march out of Yorkshire into Lancashire to resist
their further progress. These orders he promptly obeyed, and advancing on the 16th of August
to Hodder Bridge! close by Stonyhurst, he was Coined by Major-General Ashton with the Lancashire
force, the united strength being 12,000 men. ' ' After a tedious and weary march of much endurance
and difficulty, and passing through unseasonable weather and extreme hardness of_ ways wrote one
in the Parliament army, "the Lieutenant-General, Cromwell, came on Monday night, the 14th, to
Skipton, within ken of the enemy; Tuesday to Gisborn; Wednesday we marched to Stronghurst
fStonyhurst); Thursday, very early, our army marched towards Preston, whither the enemy lay.
A council of war was assen^bled at the Hodder Bridge, and Cromwell learned that the Scotch
war
' EuBhworth's EecoUections, Tiii. 112S.
= Joui-nalB of the House of Commons, Aug. 1, 1048. In thoyoar IbSO
a diseuBsion arose in Parliament upon the propriety of holding the Lan-
cashire assizes at Preston, but the decision was finally in favour ol
Lancaster. ' ^
3 Journals of the House of Commons.
312 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xv.
troops, under the Duke of Hamilton, had been joined by an Irish force under General Monroe, and
that they were also in communication with Sir Marmaduke Langdale's division. Early in the
mominw of Thursday, the I7th of August, Cromwell advanced from Stonyhurst towards Preston,
where he found the forces under Sir Marmaduke Langdale drawn up upon Ribbleton Moor, while
the principal part of the Duke of Hamilton's force had passed over Kibble bridge, and were posted
in Walton-le-Dale, between the Ribble and the Darwen. By a most extraordinary oversight the
duke not only suffered Sir Marmaduke's forces to be beaten without affording them any assistance,'
but he allowed the Parliamentary troops to fall back upon their flanks, and to cut off the communi-
cation between the Scotch and the English army. Sir Marmaduke, finding it impossible to resist
the advance of the enemy, retreated before them into the town of Preston, where the duke was
quartered, and a sanguinary engagement took place in the streets, which terminated m favour of
Cromwell,' who, having forced the bridge of the Ribble, advanced over the Darwen, and passed the
night within musket-shot of the duke's forces. On the l7th August Cromwell addressed a letter to
the committee sitting at Manchester, informing them of the victory. "We lay," he says, " the last
night at Mr. Sherburne's, of Stonihurst,= nine miles from Preston, which was withm three miles of
the Scots' quarters. We advanced by times the next morning towards Preston, with a desire to
engage the enemy, and by the time our forlorn (hope) had engaged the enemy we were about four
miles from Preston ; and thereupon we advanced with the whole army, and the enemy being drawn
out upon a moor betwixt us and the town, the armies on both sides engaged, and after a very sharp
dispute, continuinge for three or four houres, it pleased God to enable us to give them a defeat, which
I hope we shall improve, by God's assistance, to their utter ruin." Notwithstanding the great
superiority of the duke's army m point of numbers they retreated during the night through Chorley
to Wigan.'and took up their quarters in that town. Here they were closely pursued on the following
day. On Saturday they resumed their march towards Warrington, but being overtaken near
Winwick, a desperate engagement took place, which served to complete their overthrow. At
Warrington, a large division of the Scotch army, under General Bayley, capitulated on the hard
condition that the general should surrender himself and all his officers and soldiers prisoners_ of
war, with their arms, ammunition, and horses upon quarter for life. The duke afterwards fled, with
the wreck of his army towards Nantwich, but the country people fell upon the stragglers, and the
duke himself was made prisoner, and subsequently beheaded. In this campaign of three days
the Royalist army of 21,000 men was defeated and almost annihilated by a force of little more than
one-third their number, and with a loss on the part of Cromwell of scarcely fifty men.^ The
official despatches, containing the history of this short but memorable campaign, from the pen of
Cromwell, are strikingly characteristic of the language and spirit of the age.'' This was Charles's
1 According to the opinion often afterwards expressed by Sir my Regiment first entred ; and being well seconded by Coll. Harrison's
Marmaduke Langdale to Lord Clarendon, if the Duke of Hamilton bad Eeglment, Charged the Enemy in the Town and cleared the Streets. At
sent him one thousand foot to reinforce his troops upon Ribbleton Moor, last the Enemy was put into Disorder, many Men slain, and many
Cromwell must have been defeated. Prisoners taken : The Duke with moat of the Scots' Horse and Foot
2 In his despatch to the Speaker of the House of Commons, Cromwell retreated over the Bridge ; where, after a very hot Dispute betwixt the
writes : " That night quartered the whole army in the field by Stonyhurst Lancashire Regiments (part of my Lord Gend-al's and them being at push
ilall, being Mr. Sherbum's house, a jiilace nine miles distant from of Pike), they were beaten from the Bridge, and our Horse and Foot,
Preston;" and Captain Hodgson, an officer who accompanied him, writes: followingthem, killed many, and tookdivers Prisoners ; and we possessed
"We pitched our camp at Stonyhares Hall, a Papist's house, one Sher- the Bridge over Darvent and a few houses there, the enemy being drawn
burn's." Tradition still points to the old oaken table in the entrance at up within musquet shot of us, where we lay that Night, we not being
tStonyhurst, and affirms that Cromwell slept on it, while his men able to attempt farther upon the enemy, the Night preventing us. In
bivouacked in the grounds ; but the story may well be doubted, for the this posture did the Enemy and we lie most part of that Night ; upon
stem warrior was hardly likely to put up with so indifferent a couch, entering the Town, many of the Enemy's Horse fled towards Lancaster,
when the " Papist's house " afforded so much better accommodation.— C. in the Chase of whom we had divera of our Horse, who pursued them
''' Lord Clarendon's History, ui. p. 24ti. It is stated by Noble that nearTen Miles, and hadExecution of them, and took about Five hundred
Cromwell's son Henry, a captain in Harrison's regiment of horse, fell in Horse, and many Prisoners : We pos-^essed in the Fight very much of
the battle of Preston ; but this is a mistake, nor does it appear that any the Enemy's Ammunition ; I believe they lost Fotu- or Five Thousand
officer of distinction in the Parliamentary army, with the exception of Arms ; the number of the slain we judge to be about a Thousand, the
Colonel Thornhaugh, was numbered amongst the slain. Prisoners we took near about 4,000.
* Liebtenant-Geneeal Cromwell's Letter to the t, "^^ *''" Night they marched away 7 or S -Thousand Foot, and about
lui-i^rT. ni. .,.„i- Tin„u,-. .,„ n^..^™ " '' Four Thousaud Horse; we followed them with about Three Thousand
Speaker oi' the House of Commons. p^^^^ ^^^ ^^^^^ ^^„ Thousand Five Hundred Horse and Dragoons ; and
"Sir, — After the conjunction of that Party which I brought with in this Prosecution that worthy Gentleman, Coll. Thornhaugh, pressing
me out of Wales, with the Northern Forces about Knaresbrough and too boldly, was slain, being run into the Body, Thigh, and Head, by the
Wctherby, hearing that the Enemy was advanced with their Ai-my into Enemy's Lancers ; Our Horse still prosecuted the Enemy, killing and
Lancashire, we came the 6th instant to Hodder Bridge over Ribble, where taking divers all the way ; but by that time our Army was come up, they
we had a Council of War ; and upon Advertisement the Enemy intended recovered Wigan before we could attempt any thing upon them. We lay
Southward, and since confirmed, that they resolved for London it self, that Night in the Field close by the Enemy, lying very dirty and weary,
and Information that the Irish Forces under Monroe, lately come out of where we had some skirmishing, fcc. We took Major-General VanDruske,
Ireland, which consisted of 1,200 Horse and 1,500 Foot, were on their Col. Hurrey, and Lieut.-Col. Ennis.
march towards Lancashire to join with them ; it was thought to engage "The next morning the Enemy marched towards WaiTington, made a
the Enemy to fight was our Business ; And accordingly marching over stand at a Pass near Winaiek ; we held them in some Dispute until our
the Bridge that Night, quartered the whole Ai-my in the Fields. Next Army was come up, they maintaining the Pass with great Resolution for
Morning we marched towards Preston, having Intelligence, that the Many Hours ; but our Men, by the Blessing of God, Charged very home
Enemy was drawing together thereabouts from all his Out-Quarters, we upon them, beat them from their Standing, where we killed about a
drew out a Forlorn of about 200 Horse and 400 Foot ; these gallantly Thousand of them, and took (as we believe) about Two Thousand Pri-
engaged the Enemy's Scouts and Out-guards, until we had opportunity sonors, and prosecuted them home to Warrington Town, where they
to bring up our whole army. So soon as our Foot and Horse were come possessed the Bridge. As soon as we came thither, I received a Message
up, we resolved that Night to engage them if wo could ; and therefore from Licut.-General Bailey, desiring some Capitulation ; to which I
advancing with our Forloms, and putting the rest of the Army into as yielded, .and gave him these Terms : That he should surrender himself
good a Posture as the ground would Ijear (which was totally inconvenient and all his Officers and Soldiers Prisoners of War, with all his Aims,
for our Horse, being all Inclosure and miery Ground), we pressed upon Ammunition, and Horses, upon Quarter for Life, which accordingly is
them through a Lane, and forced them from their ground, after four done. Here are took about Four Thousimd complete Arms, and as many
Hours Dispute, until we came to the Town ; into which four Troops of Prisoners : And thus you have their infantry ruined.
^^^- ^^- THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
313
last appeal to arms, and when intelligence of the disaster reached him in the Isle of Wight he told
Colonel Hammond the governor, that "it was the worst news that ever came to Engfand " For
the king It was; for there is little doubt that Cromwell's victory hastened the action ' of the
Republicans and precipitated that event which the world has ever since condemned
_ Ihis splendid victory was celebrated as a day of general thanksgiving throughout the whole
kingdom, by order of Parhament, and commissions passed the great seal to commissioners in the
counties of Lancaster, York &c, to inquire into the losses that had been sustained by the
inhabitants m consequence of the invasion of the Scots under the Duke of Hamilton, and to make
r.ol wZ S,' ^Tt ^'''!f- ^"^ t^^therance of this object, an order was issued by Parliament that
fhptinSL «^H i' Tl' ""^ '^' ^%'^ ^TT^ thanksgiving in all the churches and chapels in
the kingdom, and that the money collectod should be employed, one moiety " for the relief and
supportof the wounded soldiers in Lancashire," and the other for the distressed people in that
county, who were suffermg at this time under the combined visitation of the sword, pestilence and
lanune." ^ '
v ..-."^^^r ^^ ^^^" ^^'^™a^"'^e Langdale's horse, having effected their escape to the north after the
battle oi Preston, engaged in the siege of Cockermouth, but Major-General Ashton, by whom they
were pursued, having raised the siege at that place, marched to Appleby, where the Royalist force
capitulated on his summons, and upwards of 100 officers of various ranks, five pieces of cannon,
1,200 horse, and 1,000 stand of arms, fell mto his hands.^ The danger of the renewal of the war
was now considered so entirely at an end that an order was issued by Parliament for disbandino- all
the officers and soldiers, both horse and foot, in the county of Lancaster, and this duty was confided
to Major-General Lambert On the disbanding of the Lancashire forces an order was issued by
Parliament for the demolition of Clitheroe Castle, and at the same time the council of state met to
consider what castle should be demolished. Some faint hopes still existed of a reconciliation
between the king and the Parliament, and as late as the 13th of November in this year a
negotiation was on foot for that purpose. With this view, an act of oblivion was to be passed,
which should provide for the forgiveness of all offenders except seven, and it was agreed by the
two houses that the seven persons to be excepted from the clemency of the government should be
Lord Digby, Sir Marmaduke Langdale, Sir Richard Greenhill, Judge Jenkins, Sir Francis
Dodrington, the Earl of Derby, and Lord Byron. These persons were doomed to be sent into
banishment, and an ordinance was drawn up for that purpose; but the negotiation failed, the
Parliament insisting that the bishoprics should be dissolved, and that their lands should revert to
the crown, and the king refusing to acquiesce in that proposal.
_ The catastrophe was now fast approaching, and the moderate party in the House of Commons
having been forcibly excluded by a military outrage in the name of freedom and justice commonly
designated as "Pride's Purge," on the 4th of January, 1649, a high court of justice was instituted
by the " Rump Parliament," for the trial of the king. Of this tribunal, John Bradshaw, serjeant-
at-law, was elected lord president.* The trial, if such it could be called, commenced on the 20th,
but the king three several times denied the jurisdiction of this court. When he was called up
the_ fourth time, several -witnesses were examined ; and the court, having come to the unanimous
decision that he was guilty of high treason and other high crimes, adjudged him to be executed by
severing his head from his body. This sentence was carried into efiect on the 30th of January,
1649, in front of the banquetting room, Whitehall. The king met his fate with a dignity and
composure that awakened the sympathy even of his enemies. The English monarchy, after
existing for eight centuries, was thus transformed into a Commonwealth, but without any of the
substantial advantages of representative government.
" The Duke is marched with his remaining Horse (which .ire about ^ Journals of the Commons, August 23. 1G4S.
8000) towards Namptwich, where the Gentlemen of the Country have - In a memorial entitled, " A true Representation of the present sad
taken about 500 of them ; the Country will scarce suffer any of them to and lamentable condition of the County ot Lancaster, and particularly of
pass, but bring in and kill divers as they light upon them. 1 have sent the Towns of Wigan, Ashton, and the parts adjacent, verified by James
Post to my liOrd Grey and Sir Edward Roades, to gather all together with Hyet, Richai-d Hollinwortli, Isaac Ambrose, and John Tilslcy, Ministers
speed for their Prosecution: Monroe is about Cumberland, with the of the Gospel," it Is said — " There is very great scarcity and dearth of all
Horse that ran away, and his Irish Horse and Foot; but I have left a provisions, especially of all sorts of grain, particularly that kind by which
considerable Strength, I hope, to make resistance, till we can come up to the country is most sustained (oats), which is full six-fold its usual price ;
them. all trade is utterly decayed ; it would melt any good heart to see the
"Thus you have the Narrative of the Particulars of the Success. I numerous swarms of begging poor, and the many families that pine away
could hardly tell how to say less, there being so much of God, and I was at home, not having force to beg : very many now craving alma at other
not willing to say more, least there should seem to be any thing of man ; men's doors, who were used to give alms at their own doors ; and some
only give me leave to add one word, shewing the disparity of the Forces of them, already being at the point to perish through famine, have
of both sides, that so you may see, and all the world acknowledge, the fetched in and eaten cariion and other unwholesome food, to the deatmc-
great Hand of God in this Business. The Scots' Army could not be less tion of themselves and increase of the infection."
than 12,000 Foot well armed, and 6,000 Horse ; Langdale not leas than 2,500 ' Official despatches, dated Appleby, Oct. 11, 1C48.
Foot, and 1,600 Horse ; in all, One and Twenty Thousand : In ours, in •• President Bradshaw was descended from an ancient Lancashire
all, about 8,600 ; and by Computation about 2,000 of the Enemys slain, family, subsequently settled at Marple, in Cheshire. A few months after
betwixt Eight and Nine Thousand Prisoners, besides what are lurking in the king's death, the president received the appointment, from the
Hedges and private Places, which the Country daily bring in or destroy. authorities of the Commonwealth, of chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster.
" Your very humble
"August 20, 1048. "OuvEE Cromwell."
41
Townes. day of ye month. houre.
Wigan ffebruary 9e 11 a clocke.
Newton ffebruary 9e 3 aftmoone.
Chorley ffebruary 6e 1 a clocke.
Garyton (? Garstang)..ffebruary 8e 12 a clocke.
Preston ffebruary lOe 10 in ye morning.
Lancaster ffebruary lOe 2 in ye afternoone,
Blackburn ^
Glitheroe I The said act is to be published vpon
Poulton f Munday and Tuesday next.
Kirkeham )
314 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE tiSAt. Xv.
On the day following the execution of Charles, the serjeant-at-arms, accompanied by
pursuivants, and surrounded by cavalry, proceeded to Cheapside, and there read to the assembled
crowd the proclamation that whosoever should proclaim a new king without the authority of
Parliament should be deemed a traitor. The proclamation was ordered to be read in every market
town, and there is preserved among the Tanner MSS.^ the original letter from Sir Gilbert Ireland,
the then High Sheriff of Lancashire, to William Lenthal, Speaker of the House of Commons,
acknowledging the order of Parliament, and reporting the days on which the proclaniation was read
in the several towns of the county, the first intimation that many of the Lancashire people had
heard of the dark tragedy enacted at Whitehall' and notwithstanding that the House of Commons
had ordered the post to be stayed for a day, there must have been considerable despatch, for the
document reached the Sheriff on the 2nd February. The letter is as follows :—
Sr,— According to your Commands received y<= 2 of this instant, by my Tndersherriffe and deputyes I have caused ye act and
proclamacon you then sent mee to bee proclaimed and published within all ye publique townes and places within this county, and
taken ye opportunity of all ye markett dayea I could possibly in such a tyme. And in further obedience to your order I doe here
vnto annexed prsent you with an account of such tyme and tymes, place and places, as the same have been proclaimed and published.
And am very forward further to serve the Common wealth wherein I shall bee commanded.
Sr, I am your most humble servant, G. Ieelahd, vie. com. Lancr.
ffebruary 11th, 1648 (1649).
An account of ye Townes, dayes, & houres ye Act for prohibiting the proclaiming of any person to be King of England or
Ireland or the Dominions thereof was proclaimed and published. 1648. Com. Lancr. : —
Townes. day of ye month. houre.
Leigh ffebruary 6e 12 clocke.
Bolton ffebruary 5e 4 clocke aft noone,
Bevney (? Bury) ffebruary 6e 8 a clocke.
Rotchdale ffebruary 6e 12 a clocke.
Manchester ffebruary 6e 4 aftrnoone.
Warrington ffebruary 7e 1 a clocke.
Presoott ffebruary 7e 5 in ye aftrnoone.
Liverpoole ffebruary 8e 9 a clocke.
Ormskirke ffebruary 8 9 aftrnoone.
Holland ffebruary 9e 8 a clocke.
For the Honnorable William Lenthall, Speaker of ye Right Honnorable House of Commons, these.
When intelligence of the beheading of Charles reached Lancashire the authorities, both civil
and religious, were filled with horror and amazement, and boldly avowed their detestation of the
act that had been perpetrated, Presbyterian and Independent joining with each other in expressing
their reprobation of the impious deed, and asserting their freedom from " the blood-stain of the
Lord's anointed." The dissolution of monarchy followed, as a natural consequence, the execution
of the king, and the supreme authority was declared to be vested in the representatives of the
people. A new seal for the county was made ; the forms of all public business were changed ; the
Court of King's Bench became the Court of Public Bench, and proceedings, instead of being in the
king's name, ran in that of " The Keepers of the Liberties of England." The writ appointing the
Sheriff of Lancaster in 1652, which is in the possession of the editor of this edition, is expressed as
follows : —
The Keepers of the Libertie of England by Authoritie of Parliamt. To our trustie and wellbeloved Alexander Barlowe (of
Barlow) Esquire, Sheriffe of the County Palatine of Lancaster, greeting. Whereas we haue Comitted to oure trustie and well-
beloved John Parker (of Extwisle) Esquire, the office of Sheriffe of the Countie aforesaid, of and in the Countie Palatine of
Lancaster aforesaid, to be kept and houlden during our pleasure as in our Letters Patent to him thereof now made is niore fully
conteyned. We Command you that to the same John Parker, Esquire, the office of Sheriffe aforesaid, and the Countie aforesaid to
the same belonging, together with all Rolls, Writts, Remembrances, and all other things to the said office belonging, and of, and in •
your Custodie, being by an Indenture thereof betweene you and him, the said John Parker, Duely to be made, you Deliver.
Witness our selves, at Lancaster, under the Seale of the Countie Palatine of Lancaster, the Nyne and Twentieth Day of November,
in the yeare of our Lord One thousand Six hundred ffiftie two. Gzbakd.
Appended to this document is the seal of the county palatine, which, as a curious example of
puritan heraldry, may be here described. The obverse is almost identical with that of the great
seal of the Commonwealth voted by the Commons on the 9th January, 1648-9, and represents the
House of Commons sitting with the Speaker in the chair and the clerks at the table, the whole
being encircled with the legend,
"In The Year of Freedom by God's Blessing Restored, 1648."
On the reverse are two shields united under a festoon of foliage ; the dexter, argent, a cross
gules for St. George of England ; and the sinister, azure, a harp or for Ireland. Surrounding it is
the inscription,
" The Seal of the County Palatine op Lancaster, 1648."
■ Tanner MSS. 67 2, J. 522.-0. tree (in Cheshire), and a general sadness it put vipon \\s all. It dejected
= Henry Newcomo, of Manchester, the noted Puritan divhic, in liis mo much (I remember), the horrldness o£ the fact ; and much indisposed
" Autobiography," writes— "This news carao to us when I lived at Goos- mo fbr the service of the Sabbath next after the news came."— C.
31."
was
CHAP. XV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
J! 11 '^^A substitution of the Presbyterian for the Episcopal form of church government
iollowed by an attempt on the part of the dominant power to control the ecclesiastical revenues
^^ ^■^Z regulate their expenditure. An ordinance of the Parliament, dated March 29th 1649'
abohshed the "name title, dignity, function, and office of Dean, Sub-dean, Dean and Chapter"
and all other titles and offices belonging to any college or collegiate church in England and Wales
Ihis order was, of course, followed by the sequestration of the college property at Manchester The
leUows, in disgust, renounced their sacred functions, but the Warden remained firm at his post
and shortly afterwards having the opportunity of preaching before the members of the House of
Commons, he did so with so much force and effect, and pleaded his case so pathetically, that the
college was remstated in the possession of part at least of its revenues, though upon the condition
that such of its members as hesitated to take the National Covenant should be ejected. But Heyrick's
troubles did not end here. By virtue of an Act of Parliament passed June 8th, 1649, "for the
providing of maintenance of preaching ministers and other pious uses," commissioners were
appomted in each county to report upon the state of each parish. The Lancashire commission is
dated March 29th, 1650, and the commissioners appointed were, in addition to the Justices of
Assize m the county and the Attorney-General of the Commonwealth, John Moore, Thomas Fell,
John Sawrie, William West, George Towluson, Thomas Whittingham, George Pigott, Jerehiah
Aspmwall, Robert Maudesley, Richard Standish, Richard Shuttleworth, John Starkie, Peter Holt,
James Ashton, Alexander Barlowe, John Hartley, Thomas Birche, Gilbert Ireland, John Atherton^
and Peter Bold, esquires ; and Thomas Cubham and Robert Glest, gentlemen. In due time these
gentlemen, or a portion of them at least, visited Manchester, with the result that the college was
ordered to be dissolved, and the church lands in the parish appropriated to the use of the Common-
wealth, a small provision of £100 a year being reserved for Mr. Heyrick, and a yearly stipend of
£80 each for Mr. HoUinworth and Mr. Walker, who were reported as " godly p'chers." Heyrick
was indignant, and the contention became bitter and exasperating. He had declaimed with
vehement sarcasm against Papists and prelates to find he had only exchanged King Log for King
Stork, and that the sectaries, or schismatics as he called them, who had helped to pull down
episcopacy, had neither sympathy with him nor toleration for his opinions. Manchester was made
to feel the power of the Republican party. In the summer of 1649 the sequestrators intimated
their intention of dealing with the property of the collegiate church. The Presbyterians were
alarmed at the threat, declared that " the hand of God had gone out against them," and resolved
on keeping a day of public humiliation. A resistance on the part of the Warden' and his friends
was anticipated. Colonel Thomas Birch, of Birch Hall — Lord Derby's carter, as the Cavaliers
contemptuously styled him — was deputed to enforce the order. Heyrick, maintaining the
authority of ancient charters, refused to surrender, whereupon Birch ordered his men (Nov. 5th,
1649) to break open the doors of the chapter house, and finding, on their entrance, the muniment
chest, he directed it to be sent unopened to London. Not content with seizing the deeds and
writings of the college, the fanatical soldiery set about defacing the costly architecture of the
church, breaking the painted windows, and demolishing the carved screens and sculptured
monuments. " The most beautiful ecclesiastical edifice in Lancashire," says Dr. Halley, " which
by the prudence and high character of its catholic wardens, Collyer and Vaux, had been protected
through the perils of the Reformation, and afterwards, by the influence of its Presbyterian warden,
Heyrick, through the perils of civil war, was bereaved of its rich ornaments and time-hallowed
memories by the fanaticism of an ignorant and preaching soldiery." '
The Lancashire commissioners appointed under the provisions of the Act of June 1649, held
their first inquisition in Manchester on the 17th of June, 1650. Three inquisitions were taken in
that town, six at Wigan, three at Lancaster, three at Preston, and one at Blackburn — sixteen in
all. These surveys, which have been lately printed by the Record Society, under the able
editorship of Lieut. -Colonel Fishwick, F.S.A.,^ show that there were then in the county 63 parish
churches (exclusive of Meols, which is omitted), and 118 chapels, of which no less than 38 were
without ministers, chiefly for want of " maintenance." The commissioners wisely recommended
the subdivision of many of the larger parishes, and that some of the chapels remote from the
mother church should have separate parishes assigned them, These surveys are further valuable
■ Hevrick retained his title of Warden, but as the chapter was dis- records in 1840, these documents are supposed to be still in the safe
solved and he ofBciated on a salary, he could only be regarded as custody of the chapters, and that if they had been seized m feyncks
a narochial minister — C ti™« ^^^ ^™* *° London, they had also been afterwards returned to their
= Walker statesV" Sufferings of the Clergy," pt. ii. p. 88) that on the proper repository. On the 8rd June 1672, "all the mieient charters of
6th November, 1649, the college chest was broken open by a mob of foundation were remaining in the chapter house. (Coll. Reg., Vol.
soldiers and the deeds and writings of the college seized and sent to I. See also "Wardens of Manchester, pt. ii. p. 129, Chet. Soo. Vol.
London' where they afterwards perished in the great Are. Such has been VI., new series.)— C. ^^ ^ .. . , .„, . ■» .. c j
■thetraditTon to the present day, and the late Canon Wray supposed that 3 " Lancashire : Its Puritanism and Nonconformity.' Second
there had been two attacks made upon the chapter house, one in 1641 edition, page 282.— C.
iind the other in 1649 ; *ut upon a careful examination of the coUegiate « Eocord Society s Publication, v. 1,-0.
316 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xv.
from the fact that they give the name of the minister of each church and chapel, and in many
instances the names of important householders in the respective districts.
Under the Commonwealth rule, marriage, as a religious ceremony, was forbidden, and became
merely a civil contract entered into before the civil magistrate, who had authority to ratify and
register the contract, the Act of 1653 declaring that " no other marriage whatsoever within the
Commonwealth of England, after the 29th day of September, 1653, shall be held or accounted a
marriage according to the laws of England." The banns were usually published at the market
cross or other place of public resort, and in some instances they are certified as having been
published by the bellman. In Lancashire, Edward Hopwood, a Puritan magistrate, seems to have
been especially engaged in this service and to have been accounted a sort of Parliamentary high
priest. According to the register of Bolton he proclaimed the banns at the market cross there in
1659 ; in 1655 he performed the same service at Radcliffe ; and according to the register of Whalley
" the agreement of marriage between Roger Kenyon, gent., and Mrs. Alice Rigby, was duly
published at the market town of Clitheroe on three market days."
In the course of the year 1649 an overture was made by Parliament through their commissary-
general, Ireton, for the surrender of the Isle of Man, upon the condition that the Earl of Derby
should be permitted to retire peaceably to England, and that the fine on his estate should be greatly
mitigated by the sequestrators. To this offer the earl replied that he abhorred with his soul the
perfidiousness of disloyalty, and that he never would be instrumental in casting such an odium as
this surrender implied upon the house of Derby. " I scorn," said he, " your proffer, I disdain your
favour, I abhor your treason, and so far from delivering up this Island to the Parliament, I shall
keep it for ihe King to the utmost of my Power ; and if you trouble me with any more messages of
this nature, I will burn the paper and hang the Messenger." The determined spirit of loyalty
manifested in this answer was celebrated by the Cavaliers in prose and in rhyme, and one of their
happiest efforts is expressed in the following stanza : —
" The Isle of Man is yet our owne,
Brave Darby safe and sound ;
'Tis he that keepes the English Crown,
Wliy then should hee compound ? "
The death of Charles I. does not close the melancholy history of the civil wars in Lancashire :
another illustrious victim was yet to follow, whose fate remains to be related. Although monarchy
had been abolished in England, and the government of a commonwealth decreed, Charles II., son
of the late king, appeared in Scotland towards the end of the year 1650. On the 3rd of September,
Dunbar— Cromwell's " crowning mercy" — was fought and lost. Having succeeded in rallying his
supporters, Charles received the circle and symbol of sovereignty at Scone on the 1st January,
1651 ; and on the 31st July following he set out from Stirling on his march southward, taking the
western road by Carlisle. In August the royal standard was floated once more over the
battlemented tower of old John of Gaunt— " time-honoured Lancaster "—and Charles was
proclaimed kmg._ On the 16th of August the royal Scotch army, under the Duke of Hamilton
and General Leslie, headed by the king, reached Preston, from whence they advanced by a rapid
march to the south, crossing the bridge of Warrington, which General Lambert had been directed
to break down, and m this way to arrest their progress till the Parliamentary force under Cromwell,
which was in close pursuit, came up. Had this order been executed, it is highly probable that
the late of Charles II. might have been determined, as was that of his royal father, in the hundreds
ot Amounderness and West Derby, three years before. Cromwell, at the head of 10,000 infantry,
advanced through Lancashire within two days' march of the royal army, and was ioined between
Lancaster and Preston by General Lambert and General Harrison, at the head of 8,000 horse.
^® ^S^'t^'^i'^I- V *° strengthen his cause, had summoned the Earl of Derby from the Isle of Man,
where be had hitherto maintained his independence. Prompt on all occasions to obey the call of
Ins sovereign, this gallant nobleman, accompanied by Sir Thomas Tyldesley, who had sought
safety there embarked with 250 foot and 60 horse, and arrived in the Wyre Water in Lancashire,'
August loth, whence he hastened to Preston, while the king marched south towards Worcester.
Mere lie issued his warrant as the king's lieutenant, commanding all those who were in favour of
the royal sway to meet him in the town in arms. This call was but feebly obeyed, for though his
i°A^i P%P T? ^^""^ ^'^^'^ ^''^'^' ^^i^ influence had been much shaken.^' Having collected about
bUO horse, which was swelled by other forces to 1,500 men, his lordship marched to Wigan. Here
he was met and encountered by Colonel Lilburne, in Wigan Lane, and a desperate engagement
took place, which terminated in the utter rout of the Royalists (Aug. 25). In this short but
Whitelock's Memorials," p. 502. = Arthur Trevor's Letter to the Marquis of Orn»omie, » Seacombe.
OHAP. XV. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. .S17
sanguinary engagement the earl lost five colonels, the adjutant-general, four lieutenant-colonels
"4' SS; °Tvirf'''' """^ T Y^'T'"''' *'^^^ P"^°^^^« •' '""^ ^^'^ Widdrington Maror-Gen^^^^^^^^^
Sir Thomas Tyldesley, one colonel, and two majors, with a number of other officers slain After
displaying prodigies of valour, and receiving several severe wounds, the earl found a emporary
Tthe t^af of^hnnrfv'^ ^'^'"' ^T ^^i«^^4^«<^^Ped during the night, and pursued h7route^
roWl Tl?h?l.l^ I ^ ^ IT°P-'!' ^^"'™y "^ Warrington, to join hismyal master at Worcester
Colonel Lilburnes <; seasonable victory" over the Earl of Derby was, as usual, made the subject
«t wl^^^l'^^ '^'T''^ ^y Parliament- and the king's disappointment on the arrival of the S
at W orcester was extreme. ^ 1 1
_ In the battle of Worcester, fought on the 3rd of September, 1651, Cromwell was again
victorious: the royal army was dispersed, and the king became a fugitive. If the Earl of Derby
could not replenish the kings army he was enabled to find him an asylum in the house of a loyal
peasant, at Boscobel,_on the borders of Staffordshire, near which stood the Royal Oak, the emblem
of his future restoration The earl, less fortunate than his sovereign, was captured in Cheshire on
his way to Knowsley, by Major Edge,' to whom he surrendered on a promise of quarter In
violation of this engagement the earl was put upon his trial for high treason, before a court-martial
held at Chester on the 1st of October, of which Colonel Humphrey Mackworth was president on
the charge of having corresponded with "Charles Stuart," in violation of the Act of the 12th of
August preceding. To this his lordship pleaded that he had surrendered on promise of quarter
whereby he was exonerated from any charge affecting his hfe. Very little deliberation was thought
necessary to dispose of this plea; and the sentence of the court was that he should suffer death by
his head bemg severed from his body in the public market-place at Bolton, on Wednesday, the 15th
of October. Cromwell having got his most formidable foe in his power, resolved to get rid of him
by the shortest process that time and circumstances admitted, and an appeal made by the earl to
him from the decision of the military tribunal was unavailing, as was also, as Whitelock affirms, an
attempt made by his lordship to escape, by letting himself down by a rope from the leads of 'the
prison ■* and on the appointed day he was conducted to Bolton, where he had been represented as
the author of the barbarities practised by order of Prince Rupert after the surrender of that place
in 1644. Notwithstanding these representations the sympathy of the people was strongly excited in
favour of his lordship; and when the executioner came to perform his duty, the spectators expressed
their emotions by their tears. After the necessary time spent in acts of devotion his lordship laid
his neck with great firmness on the block, and the executioner terminated the misfortunes of his
disastrous life by severing his head from his body. Of this gallant peer Clarendon has said that
"he was a man of unquestionable loyalty," of great honour, and clear courage, but that he had the
misfortune not to know how to treat his inferiors ; and the events of his life show but too clearly
that he had imbibed no portion of that spirit of amelioration which belonged to the age in which
he lived. By the special order of the earl, his George and Garter were delivered to his son, who
with filial affection attended his father to Bolton on the day of his execution, and the same evening
conveyed his remains to Wigan, from whence they were removed to the family burial-place at
Ormskirk.'
Seven days before his lordship's execution the gallant Countess of Derby, who commanded in the
Isle of Man during his absence, received a summons from Captain Young, of the President frigate,
to surrender that island to the Parliament to which she replied " that she was charged with the
duty of keeping the island by her lord's command, and without his orders she would not deliver it
up." The earl, feeling that the permanent retention of the island was impossible, wrote an
affectionate letter of consolation to the countess, in which he advised her to surrender the island,
and by his request this ancient possession of the Stanleys passed soon after under the sway of the
Commonwealth. The countess and her family were now left destitute, or dependent upon the
precarious contributions of their friends; and it was not till after the Restoration that their
circumstances were retrieved, and then only partially. After the battle of Worcester, the
remnant of the Royalist army escaped into Chester, and from thence marched into the south-
western part of Lancashire, under Lieutenant-General Lesley and Major-General Middleton.
Being overtaken at Middleton, on the 10th of September, by Major-General Harrison and Colonel
Lilburne, a smart engagement ensued, in which the retreating army was beaten, and General
Lesley and General Middleton, with several other officers and 600 of their men, were taken
prisoners. Four days previous to this engagement the Scots fugitives had lost a number of officers
' The house is traditionally said to have been the Dog TaTem, " For the moat full and accurate account of the circumstances of this
near the Market Place.— C. execution, and indeed for the beat memoir of the life of this gallant and
' Journals of the Commons, Aug. 29, 1651. unfortunate nobleman, the reader is referred to " The Stanley Papers,"
' Oliver Edge, of Birch Hall Houses, in Eusholme, a captain in the part iii., edited by the Rev. Canon Eaines, and forming vols. 66, 67, and
Manchester regiment, who was also returning from Worcester,— 0. 70 of the Chetham Society's series.— H,
* " Whltelock's Memorials, " p. 511.
318 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xv.
and 2.50 rank and file, in an affair of posts on Heaton Wood Green, between Manchester and
Oldham, and their overthrow was completed by the country people, who rose upon them on their
march, and dispersed them in every direction.^ t-, , , „ r , ,
During the latter period of the Commonwealth, while the " Lord- President Bradshaw held
the office of chancellor of the duchy of Lancaster,' the question of abolishing the court of the
duchy and county palatine of Lancaster was frequently discussed in Parliament, and a number
of conflicting resolutions were adopted by the House of Commons on the subject. By one of these
resolutions it was determined that the court should continue till the 1st of April, 1652, " and no
longer ;"= by another, that the jurisdiction of the duchy and county palatine of Lancaster should
be continued six months after the 1st of April ; by a third, that it should be continued till the 1st
of April, 1653 ;* by a fourth, that the abolition of the jurisdiction should be postponed sine die, on
the petition of the justices of the peace and two grand juries assembled at the assizes.' In 1659
the subject was resumed, when it was resolved that the seal for the county palatine of Lancaster
should be brought into the House on the 1st of November, and then cancelled, no more to be used,
and that the profits of the seal should be sequestrated for the use of the Commonwealth. In
February, 1660, the vote touching the cancelling of the seal of the county palatine was made null
and void/ and an Act was introduced, and subsequently passed, for " reviving the jurisdiction
of the Counties Palatine of Lancaster and Chester,^ and the court of the Duchy Chamber of
Lancaster."
After dissolving the Long Parliament by " push of pike," April 20th, 1653,' Cromwell, having
been appointed "Loed Protector" of the Commonwealth (Dec. 16th, 1653), summoned a new
Parliament on his own authority, without the intervention of the freeholders or other electors, as
appears from the following document addressed to William West, Esq., the representative of
Lancashire in the " Barebones Parliament :" —
" Forasmuch as upon the dissolution of the late parliament it became necessary that the peace, safety, and good government
o£ this Commonwealth should be provided for ; and in order thereunto persons fearing God and of approved fidelity and honesty
are by myself, with the advice of my Council of Officers, nominated, to whom the great charge and trust of so weighty affairs is to
be committed ; and having good assurance of your love to and courage for God, and the interest of his cause, and of the good
people of this commonwealth : —
" I, Oliver Cromwell, captain general and commander-in-chief of all the armies and forces raised and to be raised within this
Commonwealth, do hereby summon and require you, Vl'illiam West, Esquire (being one of the persons nominated), personally to be
and appear at the Council Chamber, commonly known or called by the name of the Council Chamber in "Whitehall, within the city
of Westminster, upon the 4th day of July next ensuing the date hereof, then and there to take upon you said trust, unto which you
are hereby called and appointed to serve as a member for the county of Lancaster, and hereof you are not to fail. Given under my
hand and seal the 6th day of June, 1663.
/^^?^
In 1657 an Act of Parliament was passed for "an assessment upon England at the rate of
£60,000 by the moneth for three moneths, from the 25th day of March, 1657, to the 24th day of
June then next ensuing." Each county was assessed in a certain sum per month, and a body of
commissioners was appointed in each county who had to superintend the collection of this amount
of money. The county of Lancaster was assessed in the sum of £800 per month, the com-
missioners" being —
Sir Richard Houghton, baronet ; Richard Shuttleworth, Gilbert Ireland, Richard Holland, Ralph Ashton, Peter Bould, Richard
Standish, Edmund Hopwood, Lawrence Rostern, John Starkey, Thomas Braddil, Richard Haworth, Edward More, Richard Radclitf,
John Bradshaw, Tho. Birch, Jeremiah Aspinwal, Robert Maudsley, Edward Robinson, John Fox, Peers Leigh, James Duckenfield,
Nicholas Shuttleworth, William Hilton, Henry Porter, Thomas Fell, William West, esquires ; Edmund Werden, WilUam Patten,
Evan Wall, Christopher White, George Piggot, Thomas Clayton, gent ; Richard-Ashton, esq ; Alexander Norres, Roger Gillibrand,
gent ; John Nowell, Ralph Livesey, esquires ; Jo. Livesey, Peter Sergeant, William Knipe, Thomas Cole (dcj, Adam Sands, gont ;
Kandle Sharpies, esq. ; John Case, Thomas Westmore, Hugh Cooper, John Cliff, William Swarberick, Thomas Jones, gent.
1 For many details of the civil war as relating to Lancashire, see the ' Feb. 27, 1669-60. ' March 14, 1659-60.
" Civil War Tracts, &lc., 1642-1651," edited by Geo. Ormerod, Esq. (vol. 2 " This was the memorable occasion when Cromwell having displaced
of the Chotham Society's series). the Speaker, pointed to the mace lying on the table of the House, and
2 The Act constituting Bradshaw Chancellor of the Duchy of Lan- ordered Lieut.-Colonel Charles Worsley, who had entered with two files of
caster was passed July 19th, 1649, and the office, when others were musketeers, to " take away that bauble." Worsley was a Lancashire man,
abolished elsewhere, was, on his account, specially retained, and on the who resided at Piatt, in Rushohne, and was nominated by Cromwell as
2nd April, 1652. secured to him. On the 16th September, 1653, Parliament representative for Manchester in the Parliament summoned to meet on
further enacted that the continuance of the palatinate power of Lancaster Sept. 3rd, 1664. It is not stated what became of the mace, but as the
should be vested in him.— C. Journals of the House of Commons show that when Parliament reaesem-
3 Journals of the House of Commons, Nov. 26, 1651. bled a message was sent to Lieut -Colonel Worsley for it, there is every
* Journals of the House of Commons, Jan. 1, 1652-3. probability that it had remained in his custody.— C.
» April 8, 1658. « August 6, 1669. •" " Local Gleanings Lane, and Ches.," v. 11. p. 153-4.— C,
dSAP. XV.
T'HE hIsTORY of LANCASHIRE.
319
By another Act passed in the same session, it was enacted that an assessment at the rate of
£35,000 per month should be raised throughout England, commencing on the 24th June, 1657.
Of this the county of Lancaster was to raise £466 13s. 4d. per month. The same commissioners
were appointed for Lancashire, with the addition of Colonel Edward Salmon.
The assumption of more than regal powers by Cromwell became the subject of strong
animadversion, while it was justified by the devoted creatures of the Lord-Protector, who carried
their adulation so far as to make him an offer of the croAvn. He had too much policy to fall into
this snare ; but the evening of his life was clouded with painful apprehensions of plots and
treasons, the general attendants upon usurped power ; and, after a short sickness, he expired on
the 3rd of September, 1658. On the death of the Lord-Protector, Sept. 3rd, 1658, President
Bradshaw was elevated to the seat of President of the Council, and on the 3rd June, 1659, was
appointed, with Serjeants Fountain and Tyrrel, a Commissioner of the Great Seal, an oflice from
which he asked to be relieved on account of his growing infirmities. During his last illness he
adhered steadily to his former principles, and declared that, were the king to be tried again, he
PBESIDENT BEADSHAW.;
^^ ..^ — ^ — — ^ — t
^— V- - wv -
would be the first man to sit as his judge. Having survived to the eve of the great changes that
were now approaching, he died on the 31st of October, 1659, on which day his death was thus
announced in the " Diurnalls :" —
" WHITHH..L, Oct. 31, 1659.-This day it pieced God here to put a per^d to the Jife f the Lord f -f J-»;, ^^tne,Vad" :
togering under a fierce and most tedious quartan ague, wh.ch in
not by his indefatigable affection toward the pubho affairs and eatety, in time ui ud,us ,
labours." ^
President Bradshaw was pompously interred in Westminster ^^^^yibut after the resto^^^
his remains were exhumed, and exposed on the gibbet m company with those of Cromwell and
'"%\e feeble sway of Richard Cromwell,, the.successor of h^ |^^^^^^^^ the
Stuarts, which had never been wholly extinguished. An expensive league was iot^
• Harl. MSS. cod. H)29, fo. 26.
320 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chAp. xv.
appointed to command in Lancashire and the other northern counties ; Major General Massey in
the midland counties ; and Lord Byron in the south ; but in none of these places did the enterprise
succeed. Sir George Booth, of Dunham Massey, a zealous supporter of the Parliamentary interest
in the early stages of the civil wars, and one of the deputy-lieutenants for Lancashire, issued a
declaration about the same time in Cheshire, for " a free Parliament, legally chosen" by the votes of
the electors, not called by individual summons, and for a government upon a settled foundation of
" religion, liberty, and property." To this end Sir George entered into correspondence with Mr.
Ireland, Mr. Holland, and Mr. Brookes. The Earl of Derby and Sir Thomas Middleton also
seconded his endeavours ; and such of the gentry of Lancashire and Cheshire as desired it were
allowed to assist in the deliberations^ for restoring the monarchy. Wearied with the unsettled state
of society, upwards of a thousand volunteers marched through Warrington, to rally round the
standard of revolt, and Sir George was, through the influence of Mr. Cooke, a Presbyterian minister,
enabled to make himself master of the city, though not of the castle, of Chester. Here he might
have remained in a state of security, till the friends of the king, and the enemies of arbitrary rule,
under the name of Commonwealth, had collected their forces ; but in an evil hour he marched out
of the city to meet General Lord Lambert. A sanguinary engagement, fought on the 19th
of August, 1659, ensued at Winnington Bridge, near Northwich, which ended in the overthrow of
Sir George, and his Cavaliers, whom Adam Martindale likened to " Mahomet's Angellical Cockes,
made up of fire and snow," the whole force being driven from the field. One part of the fugitive
army marched to the neighbourhood of Manchester, where they were dispersed ; and the other to
Liverpool, where an engagement took place in the public streets, equally unfavourable to the royal
cause. To crown these disasters. Sir George Booth was taken prisoner, and the young Earl of Derby,
who had shared in the enterprise, and whose followers, by their "boisterous merriment and
profanity," are said to have given offence to Booth's "Angellical Cockes," was also captured, "in
the habit of a serving man," and kept in confinement till the eve of the Restoration.
Many of the Presbyterians of Lancashire knew of the contemplated rising, but prudently
abstained from committing themselves to the measures of Sir George Booth, or openly avowing
sympathy with his action. Adam Martindale, himself a Lancashire man, but then rector of
Eosiherne, wrote — " Had I been so afiected I could easily have spoiled all the sport, for I knew of
it a good while before, as my revered brother, Mr. Henry Nevvcome, of Manchester, very well
knows, and could, with a post letter, easily have prevented all." The enterprise failed through the
distrust and the conflicting interests of the Episcopalians and Presbyterians engaged in it, but it
nevertheless revealed the preparations that many parties were silently making for great changes,
and new hope filled men's minds in consequence.
When the remnant of Booth's army reached Lancashire, bringing news of the disaster at
Northwich, the leaders of the Presbyterian party were much depressed, and the Classis resolved
that a public exercise, which had been appointed at Manchester, should be turned into a day of
fasting and prayer. But the check was only momentary, and it was not long ere the voice of
lamentation was changed to that of rejoicing and thanksgiving, for the Cheshire rising or the
Cheshire race, as it had been wittily called, was soon followed by the accomplishment of the
design it failed in. On the return of Lambert and his victorious army to London, a schism
broke out between the officers and the Parliament, which was followed by one of those outrages
upon the liberties of the House with which the country had become only too familiar. Lambert
and his troops surrounded the House, which Lenthall, the speaker, and the other members were
prevented by the soldiery from entering (October 13, 1659). General George Monk, " the sly
fellow," as Cromwell called him, who was at the time in Scotland, on hearing of this procedure,
marched with a large force to Coldstream," on the Scottish border, and thence towards London.
Ihe cry of " A Free Parliament" ran like fire through the country. Not only Fairfax, who appeared
in arms in Yorkshire, but the people who crowded the streets of the capital, and the sailors who
manned the fleet lying in the Thames, caught up the cry. On the 3rd February, 1659-60, Monk
entered the city, and from that moment the restoration of the Stuarts was inevitable. The army
of the Commonwealth was rendered powerless by an adroit dispersion of the troops over the
country; the secluded members of the Long Parliament— the victims of " Pride's Purge"— were
restored, and that Parliament which many had thought would never have had a beginning, and
afterwards that it would never have an end, was dissolved (March 16, 1659-60). The news of
these events caused great rejoicing among the loyalist Presbyterians of Lancashire, and the
Manchester Classis ordered a day of public thanksgiving in the churches of Manchester, Ashton-
.'. \°"^ Movdaunt's Lottor to Oh.-ivlcs II. l^^ntj^ „ag disbanded as soldiers^f the Commonwealth, and recruited as
,..„i,^,;„f ™t,ii!i,i'i ?. ■" that in pccomhcr, 1U6U, General Uonk'B the Coldstream Guards, when the famous march began to London to
regiment, which had been recruited chieiiy among the Puritans of Scot- effect the restoratipn.-C.
CHAP. XV.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
321
under-Lyne, Oldham, and Eccles, " for the late great and wonderful changes and deliverance began
by God for his people in these nations." A new House of Commons— the Convention Parliament-
assembled April 25th ; the Declaration of Breda, in which Charles promised a general pardon
religious toleration, and satisfaction to the army, was received with a burst of national enthusiasm ;'
and the old constitution was restored by a solemn vote of the Convention — " that according to the
ancient and fundamental laws of this kingdom, the government is, and ought to be, by Kinc,
Lords and Commons." Immediately the vote was passed an invitation was sent to the exiled kin<^
to return to his people and receive his crown.^ Within a month, Charles, after an exclusion of
twelve years, had landed in England, and made a triumphal progress through the streets of
London, amid the deafening cheers of a people almost delirious with joy. The shouts that rent
the air were but the expression of a nation's belief that law and order would be restored, and that
the government of the country at length rested upon a foundation on which peace and security,
religion and liberty, might be established. Abundant favours were poured down upon General
Monk (who had been the main instrument in effecting the restoration), who, by patent, dated July
7, 1660, was advanced to the dignity of the dukedom of Albemarle, and he received from his
sovereign, as a further mark of his royal bounty, the ancient honor of Clitheroe, parcel of the
duchy of Lancaster.
Every one rejoiced to see a calm after so long a storm, confident that the tranquillity sought
for in vain during the previous twenty years of calamity and confusion would now be enjoyed. In
no part of the kingdom was the exuberance of joy greater than in Lancashire, where Prelatists
and Puritans, Episcopalians and Presbyterians, alike forgot their controversies, their animosities,
and their jealousies, and men who had fought for and upheld the republic marched side by
side with those who had bled and sufifered for the king, in the excess of their newly-awakened
loyalty. In Manchester it was ordered that the king should be publicly proclaimed and prayed
for (May 12th), to the infinite joy of the townsmen — one of whom, John Hartley, of Strangeways, in
the fullness of his liberality, gave £10 for his majesty's use — but to the great mortification of some
of the Cromwellian soldiers who had been billeted upon the inhabitants. Henry Newcome, who a
week before, as he tells us, had prayed for the king " by periphrases," delivered a fervid address
in the Collegiate Church, in which he exhorted his hearers " to carry their rejoicings carefully,"
and prayed that the joy of that great and glorious day " might not be blemished by the intem-
perance of a single person," words that were remembered, and had a chastening influence on those
who heard him. The example of Manchester, so far at least as the demonstrations of loyalty were
concerned, was followed by Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, Bury, Rochdale, and other towns, though
it is doubtful if the same degree of sobriety was manifested by the people in their festivities, for
the " malignants " of Wigan drank the loving cup to its very dregs, and the whilom republicans
of Rochdale, in a frenzy of delight, killed a luckless drummer-boy, by, as they said, "the
miscarriage of their muskets ; " and even the inhabitants of Puritan Manchester, a few months
later, in spite of the pious exhortations of Newcome and the stern remonstrances of the
warden, Heyricke, made the occasion of the coronation " an engine to intemperance and excess,"
and in their delirium of joy "fell a-drinking of healths" to testify their love and loyalty to the
restored king.
' In its eagerness to secure the restoration of the king the Convention
Parliament irrevocably committed the destinies of the country to the
guidance of Charles, -without any condition for securing the liberties of
the people. " To the king's coming without conditions," says Burnet, in
the " History of his Own Times," " may well he imputed all the errors
of his reign, and, it may be added, many mischiefs that followed after-
wards." — C.
42
CHAPTER XVI,
Restoration of Monarchy and Episcopacy— Corporation and Test Acts— Act of Uniformity— Ejected Ministers in Lancashire— Five-
mile Act— Sufferings of the Nonconformists— Abolition of the Feudal System— Militia Quota for Lancashire — Lancashire
Plot— Conspiracy of tlie Earl of Clarendon and others— Rebellion of 1715; of 1745— Lancashire Gentry— Lancashire
Visitations— Geographical Situation of the County— Climate— Meteorology— Soil and Agriculture— Forests— Geology—
Lancashire Rivers— Catalogue of the Bishops of Chester from the Institution of the Bishopric, 33 Henry VIIL, to the
Present Time— Kate imposed upon the Clergy to provide Horses and Arms for the State in 1608— Ecclesiastical Courts, their
Jurisdiction, Fees, and Revenues— Catalogue of the Bishops of Manchester from the foundation of the See— Creation of the
See of Liverpool.— A.D. 1660—1745.
I HE restoration of the Stuarts produced a strong sensation in the county, of
Lancaster, where the contest between prerogative and privilege had been cariied
on with a degree of zeal scarcely equalled in any other part of the kingdom.
The effort to establish a commonwealth had gradually fallen into discredit.
Presbyterian church-government lost its sway, and the balance of opinion, in this
and in the other counties of the kingdom, once more inclined to monarchy in the
government of the state, and to episcopacy in the government of the church.
The return of Charles II., as already stated, was received in Lancashire with
every demonstration of joy, the Presbyterians rivalling the Episcopalians in their exultations,
and 'in the cordiality of the welcome offered to the returning sovereign. The coronation was
made the occasion of extravagant rejoicings. The men of Manchester, who had been so
lately in open resistance to their king, could hardly set bounds to their enthusiasm, and in
their town wine Howed from the conduit, the gutters were filled with strong beer, and bonfires
blazed for a whole week. To prevent the Presbyterians from possessing local power or
authority, and to establish more firmly the security of the throne, the Corporation Act was
passed, ordaining that in all cities, corporations, boroughs,- cinque ports and other ports in
England and Wales, every mayor, alderman, and common councilman, and all other
corporate ofiicers, should be obliged, in additron to the ordinary oath of allegiance and
supremacy, to make a particular declaration against the solemn league and covenant, and to
declare on oath that it was not lawful, on any pretence whatever, to take arms against the king;
and the person making this oath was further required to aver that he abhorred that traitorous
position of taking arms by the Idng's authority against his person, or against those commissioned
by him. A more deadly blow was dealt at the Puritans in the renewal of the Act of Uniformity.
That no Nonconformist might exercise the authority of a magistrate, it was required that no person
should be elected or chosen into any office or place in such corporation who should not have,
within one year before such election, taken the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, according to the
rites and ceremonies of the Church of England.
On the ]9th of May, 1662, the Act of Uniformity was passed, by which every minister, on
pain of losing his ecclesiastical preferment, was obliged to conform to the worship of the Church of
England, according to the Book of Common Prayer, before the feast of St. Bartholomew (Aug. 24),
and to sign a declaration affirming his assent and consent to everything contained and presented
by it. During the civil war episcopacy was abolished and presbyterianism established in its stead.
Large numbers of the clergy — some six thousand or more — -had been driven from their benefices,
and their places supplied by ministers who abhorred episcopacy and rejected the government and
ritual of the Church of England. On the arrival of St. Bartholomew's Day two thousand of these
ministers resigned their benefices, preferring poverty with a clear conscience to affluence with a
mind tortured by the reproach of having sacrificed what they conceived to be their duty to their
M aker to their worldly advancement. The following form of ecclesiastical ejectment was sent by
the Lord Bishop of Chester to the churchwardens of Garstang, for the removal of the Rev. Isaac
Ambrose, and similar notices were served upon the churchwardens in the other parishes or
chapelries where the minister had refused to conform : —
"Whereas in a late Act of Parliament for uniformitie, it is enacted that every parson, vicar, curate, lecturer, or other
eccleaasticall person, neglecting or refusing, before the Feast Day of St. Bartholomew, 1662, to declare opealy before their respective
congregations, his assent and ponserit to all things contained in the booke of common prayer established by the said act, ipso facto
fitiAp. xvt _ THE HISTORY OP LANCASHIHE. 323
be deposed.and that every person not being in holy orders by episoopall ordination, and every parson, vicar, curate, lecturer, or
other ^clesiasticall person, failing in his subscription to a declaration mentioned in the said act to be subscribed before the Fast Day
of St Bartholomew, 1662, shall be utterly disabled, and ipso facto deprived, and his place be void, as if the person so failing be
naturally dead. And whereas Isaac Ambrose, late vicar of Garstang, in the county of Lancaster, hath neglected to declare and
subscribe according to the tenor of the said act, I doe therefore declare the church of Garstang to be now void, and doe strictly '
charge the said Isaac Ambrose, late vicar of the said church, to forbear preaching, lecturing, or officiating, in the said church, or
elsewhere in the diocese of Chester. And the Churchwardens of the said parish of Garstang are hereby required (as by duty they
are bound) to secure and preserve the said parish church of Garstang from any invasion or intrusion of the said Isaac Ambrose,
disabled and deprived as above said by the said act, and the churchwardens are also required upon sight hereof to show this order •
to the said Isaac Ambrose, and cause the same to be published the next Sunday after in the Parish Church of Garstang, before the
congregation, as they will answer the contrary. — Given under my hand this 29th day of August 1662.
, „, , ^, " GEO. CESTRIENS.
To the Churchwardens of Garstang, in the County Palatine of Lancaster."
The ejected and silenced ministers in Lancashire amounted to sixty-seven, of whom the
following are the names : —
The Rev. Robert Towne, Alkrington ; Rev. Thomas JoUie, Altham ; Rev. James Talbot, Alkholme ; Rev. Thomas Crompton,
Astley Chapel, parish of Leigh ; Rev. John Harrison, Ashton-under-Lyne ; Rev. James Woods, Ashton-in-Makersfield ; Rev. John
Wright, M.A., Billinge ; Rev. Robert Birch, Birch Chapel ; Rev. Thomas Holland, Blackley ; Rev. Richard Astley, Blackrod ;
Rev. Richard Goodwin, M.A., vicar of Bolton ; Rev. Robert Park, Bolton ; Rev. Samuel Mather, M.A., Burton Wood ; Rev. Mr.
Dury, Bradshaw ; Rev. Philip Bennett, Cartmel ; Rev. Mr. Camerford, Cartmel ; Rev. Henry Welch, Chorley ; Rev. James Woods
jun., Chowbent ; Rev. John Leaver, Cockey Chapel ; Rev. Mr. Lowe, rector of Croston ; Rev. James Hiet, Croston ; Rev. Thomas
Whitehead, vicar of Dalton ; Rev. John Tilsley, M.A., vicar of Dean ; Rev. John Angler, Denton ; Rev. James Holm, Denton ;
Rev. Jonathan Schofield, Douglas Chapel ; Rev. Edmund Jones, vicar of Eccles ; Rev. Peter Atkinson, sen., EUel Chapel ;
Rev. Peter Atkinson, jun., EUel Chapel ; Kev. Isaac Ambrose, vicar of Garstang ; Rev. Wm. Leigh, M.A., Gorton Chapel ;
Kev. Mr. Bullock, Hambleton ; Rev. James Walton, Hoiwich ; Rev. Mr. Sandford, Harwood ; Rev. Peter Aspinall, Heaton ;
Rev. George Thomasson, Hey wood Chapel; Rev. James ' Bradshaw, Hindley, Wigan Parish; Rev. William Bell, M.A., vicar of.
Huyton ; Rev. Henry Pendlebury, M.A., Holcombe Chapel ; Rev. Peter Naylor, Haughton Chapel ; Rev. Nehemiah Ambrose, vicar
of Kirkby ; Doctor William Marshall, vicar of Lancaster ; Rev. Thos. Drinckal, Lindale Chapel ; Rev. John Fogg, Liverpool ;
Rev. Timothy Smith, Longridge Chapel ; Rev. Joseph Harrison, Lund Chapel ; Rev. Henry Newcome, M.A., Manchester ;
Kev. Mr. Richardson, Manchester ; Rev. John Mallinson, vicar of Melling ; Rev. Thomas Gregg, St. Helens Chapel ; Rev. Mr. White,
Meiling ; Rev. Nathaniel Baxter, JI.A, vicar of St. Michael-le-Wyre ; Rev. Mr. Kippax, New Church in Rossendale ; Rev. John
Walker, Newton Heath Chapel ; Rev. Robert Constantine, Oldham ; Rev. Nathaniel Heywood, vicar of Ormskirk ; Rev. Thomas
Pyke, rector of Radcliffe ; Rev. Roger Baldwin, Raynford ; Rev. Samuel Newton, Rivington ; Rev. Robert Bath, vicar of Rochdale ;
Rev. Richard Holbrook, Salford ; Rev. Joseph Thompson, Sefton ; Rev. Cuthbert Harrison, Singleton ; Rev. Paul Latham, Standish ;
Rev. Nicholas Smith, Tatham ; Rev. Thomas Crompton, M.A., Toxteth Park ; Rev. [Zach.] Taylor, Turton ; Rev. Mr. Lampitt,
Ulverstone ; Rev. Henry Finch, vicar of Walton ; Rev. Robt. Eaton, Walton ; Rev. Michael Briscoe, Walmsley Chapel ; Rev. Robert
Tates, rector of Warrington ; Rev. Charles Hotham, rector of Wigan. ^
At the time when the Act of Uniformity took effect, there were several candidates for the
ministry in this county, who had no fixed place, but who continued Nonconformists. These were
Mr. Thomas Waddington, Mr. James Haddock, Mr. Cuthbert Halsall, Mr. John Eddlestone, Mr.
Thomas Kay, afterwards at Hoghton Tower, and Mr. John Crompton, afterwards minister of Cockey
Chapel.
The passing of the Act of Uniformity effected greater and more sudden changes in the
religious aspect of the Church than had occurred at "any former period. The Eeformation was
accomplished gradually and without any great displacement of the clergy, and the expulsions
during the civil war period, though much more numerous, extended over a series of years ; but
that on St. Bartholomew's Day was sudden and complete — it was the definite exclusion of a great
party, that, among much fanaticism, included in its ranks many eminent divines and earnest
painstaking men, who had diffused through the country a greater amount of religious vitality,
than had perhaps ever been experienced before.
That the laity of the Nonconformist persuasion might not stand upon a more advantageous
footing than their clergy, Lord-Chancellor Clarendon, to whom the age in which he lived, and after
ages, were mainly indebted for these rigorous enactments, procured a bill to be passed into law,
called the Conventicle Act (1664), by which every person above the age of sixteen years, being
present at any meeting or conventicle for religious purposes, when more than five persons were
assembled and" where the service was performed in any other manner than according to the liturgy
used by the Church of England, became liable to a penalty of £5, or three months' imprisonment,
for the first offence ; £10, or six months' imprisonment, for the second offence ; and transportation
to the plantations for the third offence, unless a fine of £100 was paid ; and persons suffering
conventicles to be held in their houses or outhouses were liable to the same punishment This
Act operated with great severity in Lancashire, and the sufierings of the people in many districts
were extreme Assemblies were often held at midnight, to escape the rigours of the law; and as
five persons assembled together for prayer constituted a conventicle, it frequently happened that
the members of the family were obliged either to forego their duty or to subject themselves to the
persecution of the times. The thirst for revenge had been roused by the tyranny ot the
. The venerable Oliver Heywood, a name held in high estimation Uniformity he was setUed at Coley Ohapol, in the parish of Halifax, and
Bmongst the Nonconformists, was a native of Little Lever, in the pansli was ejected from that place,
of Bofton, in tliis county ; but at the time of the passing of the Act of
324 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xvj.
Presbyterians in their hour of triumph, and to fill up the measure of intolerance the Five-mile
Act' was introduced in 1665 (17 Car. II. c. 2) by which any Nonconformist minister, of whatever
denomination, was prohibited from dwelling or coming within five miles of any corporate town, or
other place where he had been minister, or had preached, after the Act of Oblivion, unless he first
took the following oath: "I do swear that it is not lawful, upon any pretence whatsoever, to take
arms against the king,^ and that I do abhor the traitorous position of taking arms by his authority,
ao-ainst his person or against those that are commissioned by him, in pursuance of such commissions ;
and that I will not at any time endeavour any alteration of government, either in Church or
State." It was further enacted that any schoolmaster who should refuse the oath should be
incapable of teaching any public school, and any two justices were empowered to commit to prison
any person infringing the enactments of this rigorous law.^ The sufferings of the ejected ministers
and their people were extreme, and large numbers of persons suffered on account of their religion
in different parts of the kingdom. Manchester seems, however, to have been exceptionally
favoured, for from the circumstance that it was neither a corporate town or borough returning a
member to Parliament, it escaped to some extent the disabilities imposed by the Act, and became
consequently a place of refuge for ejected ministers from other parts of the county. In Lancashire,
where the Catholics were so numerous, a preponderance was given to that party, and the
dissenting interest was reduced to the lowest point of depression. Several of the ministers,
incapable of enduring the privations to which they were exposed, or disinclined to subject
themselves to the penalties of the law, conformed to the requirements of the Church, and of
that number were the following in Lancashire : Mr. Bradley Hayhurst, of Leigh ; Mr. Joshua
Ambrose, of West Derby; Mr. William Cole, of Preston; Mr. William Colburn, of Ellinburgh
[? Ellenbrook] ; Mr. William Loben, of Oldham ; Mr. James Booker, of Blackley ; Mr. William
Aspinwall, of Formby ; Mr. Briars, of Heapy ; Mr. Fisher, of Kirkham ; Mr. Jacques, of Bolton-le-
Sands; Mr. Jessop, of Winwick; and Mr. Robert Dewhurst, of Whitworth Chapel.* " The great body
of the Dissenters, however, remained steadfast to their principles," says Neale, " and the Church
gained neither reputation nor numbers." So hot was the persecution that the Lancashire Classis
discontinued their meetings from the first year of the new king's reign ; and those assemblies which
had been held so frequently in the period between 1646 and the dissolution of the Commonwealth
(1660) were not resumed till 1693, when they were held under the designation of Meetings of
Ministers of the United Brethren within the county of Lancaster, the Rev. Henry Newcome
filling the office of moderator, and Charles Sager that of scribe, at the first of the resumed meetings
for the parishes of Manchester, Prestwich, Flixton, Eccles, and Ashton-under-Lyne.
The passing of the Act of Uniformity dispelled the anticipations of toleration which
Charles II. 's declaration from Breda had seemed to foreshadow. For nearly ten years the
sequestrated ministers were exposed to the danger of fine and imprisonment, and excited by
alternate hopes and fears, though many of them were sheltered under the protection of powerful
friends. But better days Avere in store, and after the fall of Clarendon, who had been their chief
persecutor, the king issued a declaration of indulgence in religion (15th March, 1671-2), in which
he declared his " will and pleasure to be, that the execution of all and all manner of penal laws in
matters ecclesiastical, against whatsoever sort of Nonconformists or recusants, be immediately
suspended, and they are hereby suspended." The declaration was an exercise of the kingly
prerogative, for Parliament was not sitting at the time, and the Nonconformists were consequently
placed in a somewhat perplexing position. They yearned for religious freedom, but they had
loudly proclaimed their adherence to Parliamentary government. To their minds the suspension of
the law by the royal prerogative was an unconstitutional proceeding, and to avail themselves of it
was to admit the dispensing power of the king. A ferment immediately arose. Some of the more
intolerant believed they saw in it an opening for the introduction of Popery, and the eminent
Nonconformist, Philip Henry, wrote that the clemency of the king had put him in a " trilemma."
The scruples of the Lancashire ministers seem to have been readily overcome. The king's
declaration was naade on March loth, intelligence of it reached the county on the 18th, and on the
15th April following the first licence in Lancashire Avas taken out for Henry Newcome, of Man-
1 The Conventicle Act and the Five-mile Act would seem to have been rebellion had called into existence, and the apprehensions of the govem-
framed on the hnes of enactments previously made under Puritan rule. ment, it should be added, were quickened by the knowledge that advan-
On the 6th January, 1645, an Act was passed ordering "that all private tage was being taken of the Dutch war to throw the kingdom once mora
assemblies might be restrained" (Neal's History of t lie Paritmis, v. iii. into anarchy and confusion.— C.
p. 223), and in December, 1647, all "dellnciuent clergymen" were ^ After the lapse of a century and a half, the whole of this code of
required to retire ' without the lines of communication,"— /ii»(. Pujilcijis, intolerance was removod from the statute-book, in the 9th year of the
^' "';,?; ''^?',' i- i, .. -^ reign of George IV. (1828), by an Act introduced into Parliament by Lord
- Ihe declaration that it was not lawful on any pretence to take arms John Russell,
against the king was a precaution rendered necessary not so much from * Nonconformist Memorial, by the Rev. Edmund Oalamy, D.D.
any concerted pohoy on the part of the remnant of the Republican party Palmer's edition, vol. ii. p. 3.
as from the risk of some insane plot or insiurection started by the ' MS. entitled " The First Classis of the County Palatine of Lancaster.''
desperate fanatics of some one of the multiplicity of schisms that the late
CHAP. XVI.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
325
Chester, first for his own house and afterwards, on account of its incapacity, for a barn in the
neighbourhood of Shudehill. Altogether about 3,500 licences were issued, of which 185 were for
1 fi7ri Ti f °^-*^-J^ ^/T" ^°',^^^ ^"'''^ °^ ^'- ^^^ton, in Manchester, dated February 3,
1672-3. 1 he great majority of the applications were for Presbyterian teachers or places of meeting
nfllJ f^' 'f^i!i ^'- H'^lley, "amidst many fears, anxieties, and prayers was founded what may be
called the old dissent of Lancashire.' The following copy of a licence issued for a place of
meeting m Warrington will serve as an illustration of the printed form used, the words in italics
being written m : —
Bavliffi1^o'l,TawJ,*^L'^.T "n ^"nl""^ "^^,1?''°''' ^™*^™''' ^''^°°«' '""'^ 1™'^°''' defender of the Faith, &c. To all Mayors,
Kation of thp' l?th of M» ;Jh ^l^yfo w^ ^l'""'"":?' ^'^'' ""'* ^'''*"-^' ^'^"-^ ^^ ""'y '=°"°«™. S^'^-^^^S- In pursuance of Ou^
^TvlT ■ 1^ of Lancaster to be a Place for the Use of Such as do not conform to the Church of England who are of
in/nr n°°or^^ caned /mjyima^ to meet and assemble in, in order to their publick Worship and Devotion. And al
AnH 3in^ Officers and Ministers, Ecclesiastical, Civil and Military, whom it may concern, are to take due notice hereof:
V llif -^ M ? f T" ^^If^^ ''^^':*'y •='^'"■8^'^ '■''^ '■^1™^^'^ *^ l""<ier any Tumult or Disturbance, and to protect them
m their SMd Meetings and Assemblies. Given at Our Court at Whitehall the SO'h day of Septembr in the 24th 'year of Our
Reign,^ 1672.— By His Majesties Command, ^ "Aelinqton."
• P^ *^® restoration of Charles II. the intention was formed to institute a new order of
knighthood, as a reward to the faithful adherents of the house of Stuart during the period of their
adversity;^ and the following persons in the county of Lancaster were judged fit to be made
" Kmghts of the Royal Oak," each of whom was in possession of an estate of the estimated annual
value affixed to his name : —
Thomas Holt, Esq £1000
Thomas Greenhalgh, Esq 1000
Colonel — Kirkby of Upper Hawcliffe 1000
Robert Holte, Esq lOOO
Edmund Asheton, Esq 1000
Christopher Banester, Esq 1000
Francis Anderton, Esq. 1000
Col. James Anderton 1500
Eoger Newell, Esq 1000
Henry Norris, Esq. 1200
Thomas Preston, Esq £2000
Thomas Farington of Worden, Esq 1000
Thomas Fleetwood of Penwortham, Esq. ... 1000
John Girlington, Esq 1000
William Stanley, Esq 1000
Edward Tyldesley of Fox Hall, Esq 1 000
Thomas Stanley, Esq 1000
Richard Boteler of Out Rawclifie, Esq 1000
John Ingleton, Esq., sen 1000
Walmesley of Dunkenhalgh, Esq. ... 2000
This order was intended by Charles as a reward to several of his followers, and the knights
were to wear a silver medal, with a device of the king in the oak, pendant to a ribbon about their
necks ; but, on reflection, it was thought proper to abandon the intention, from the apprehension
that such an order of knighthood might create heats and animosities, and open those wounds
afresh which it was thought prudent should be healed.^
The time had now arrived when the feudal system, which had existed for upwards of six
hundred years," with various modifications, was to be finally undertaken, and by the 12th of
Charles II., cap. 24 (1660), the tenures of knights' service, chivalry, escuage, petit serjeanty,
villeinage, &c., were taken away, and the tenures of fee-simple, fee-tail, and copyhold, substituted
in their place. The land was relieved of its charges, and in lieu of the revenue raised in the Court
of Ward and Liveries duties were imposed on beer and ale.' In the same reign the militia laws
were so far altered as to place that great constitutional citizen-military body more immediately
under the power and control of the crown than they had been in times past® (1661). In 1761 the
aggregate number of the militia was swelled to thirty thousand eight hundred and forty,' of
which Lancashire was required to furnish eight hundred ; and in 1802 the total number of the
militia was increased to forty thousand nine hundred and sixty-three,'" the quota for Lancashire
being then fixed, as it now stands, at two thousand four hundred and thirty-nine. The land-tax,
originally a monthly assessment imposed in the time of the Commonwealth, was occasionally levied
in the reign of Charles II. In 1692, a new valuation of estates was made throughout the kingdom,
when it was fixed that Lancashire should be charged with five in 518 parts. In the year 1798 this
annual tax was made perpetual, subject to redemption and purchase by the OAvners of estates.
On Friday the 6th of February, 1685, Charles II. died at Whitehall, poisoned, as some people
believed, but more probably from apoplexy, the consequence of his excesses, " leaving nothing for
' The number of licences granted for the neighbouring county of
Chester was 83. — O.
" " Puritanism and Nonconformity in Lancashire," 2 edit. p. 411.— C.
3 It was the practice to count the regnal year from the death of
Charles I., in 1649.— C.
* Noble, in liis "Memoirs of the Cromwell Family," says that Henry
Cromwell, "first cousin, one remove, to Oliver, Lord Protector," was
among the number, and adds that "as he knew the name of Cromwell
would not be very grateful in the court of Charles the Second, he disused
It and styled himself plain Henry Williams, Esq., by wliich name he was
set down in the list of such persons as were to be made Knights of the
Boyal Oak."— C.
^ Banks's Honores Anglirani, from which it appears that the total
number of knights meant to have been created in all England was GS7.
"* See chap. ii.
' The statute which accomplished this change is described by Black-
stone as "a greater acquisition to the civil property of this kingdom than
even Magna Oharta itself, since that only pruned the luxuriances that had
grown out of military tenures, and thereby preserved them in vigour ;
but the statute of King Charles extirpated the whole, and demolished
both root and branches.— C.
» 13 Charles 11. cap. 6.
» 1 Geo. IlL
"> 43 Geo. lU. cap. 90,
g26 "fHE filSTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xVi.
immortality but the fame of weakness even in vice." Idler and voluptuary as he had been,
the politeness of the gentleman continued to the last, and with almost his last breath he
apologised to the watchers for the trouble he was giving in keeping them around him. His
reicn^was marked by many legislative enactments of the gravest kind, and forms an important
era' in the county and the kingdom. If, under his rule. Parliament sanctioned the. Apt of
Uniformity, the Five Mile Act, and the Test Act, it should also be remembered that it abolished
the more odious features of feudalism, enacted special laws for the advancement of commerce, and
added a new security for the personal freedom of Englishmen in the Habeas Corpus Act. When
the Duke of York ascended the throne under the title of James II., to allay the scruples of the
nation, he solemnly promised the Privy Council to preserve the laws inviolate, and maintain
the o-overnment in Church and State as by law established, a pledge that was welcomed by the
whole country with enthusiasm, and in Lancashire, as Macaulay tells us,' the people of Wigan,
true to the traditions of their town, made themselves conspicuous not only by the extravagance of
their loyalty, but by the boldness of their address, in Avhich they assured the king that they would
defend him " against all plotting Ahithophels and rebellious Absaloms." " We have the word of a
kino-, and a king was never worse than his word " was the general cry ; but the worthlessness of
Jarnfes's word was soon apparent, for within three days of his accession to thecrown, his government
had committed an illegal act. The arbitrary measures of the sovereign excited alarm and distrust
amoncf the people at large, and their indignation found vent when, on the 8th June, 1688, the
seven bishops, of whom one — John Lake, Bishop of Chichester, was identified with Lancashire,
having been previously rector of Prestwich and incumbent of the parochial chapelry of Oldham —
havino- declined to publish an illegal Declaration, and championed the cause of the national faith
and the national freedom, Avere conveyed to the Tower between lines of weeping men and weeping
ATomen, Avho prayed aloud for their safety and knelt to receive their blessing, and a feAV days later
appeared as criminals at the bar of the King's Bench. This incident in the struggle of England
against the aggression of England's king served to hasten the impending crisis, and thoughtful
men — Conformists and Nonconformists alike — began to look Avitli earnest desire to the accession of
Mary, the elder daughter and heiress of James, then espoused to the Prince of Orange. Ere long
communications more or less direct Avore opened Avith the prince by those Avho had found refuge at
his court, and ultimately an invitation to appear in England Avith a body of troops Avas given. A
side light is throAvn upon the state of feeling in Lancashire at the time by some of the entries
in Henry NeAvcome's diary. Thus Ave read : —
1688. October 7. Now was the amazing news ot the Prince of Orange designing to come among us.
October 8. I went to Orange this day, and met my Lord Delamere at Hulme. — Tliey none of them minded the news, and seem
to be less concerned and less afraid than I am.
October 16. Things are dark and in great confusion. The Lord be merciful to us !
November 9. The news came this morning of the landing of the Dutch in the we.st. An astonishing providence. Our refuge
is in God, and in Him only.
November 14. We heard whispers of sad things to-day.
November 16. AVe had a private day on the sad occasion of the confusion Iq the nation and country. Lord Delamere came to
town soldier-like. I was affected with a great passion of tears to see my Lord Delamere ride by.
November 28. Lord Delamere with his company went from Nottingham in a sad season. I was discouraged this night on the
probable cause for it, in the news about his being set upon, and either killed or wounded. '
November 30. AVe heard the news, amazing and surprising, of the general revolt of most of the great ones from King James.
December 2. We heard the news of a treaty, which was what we prayed for, and the only way likely to heal us.
December 2i. We waited upon my Lady Bland (of Hulme) to see my Lord Delamere, whom we found preserved, an d
wonderfully revived upon this strange revolution.
The brief reign of James II. Avas terminated by his abdication and the "peaceful revolution"
AVhich placed William of Orange and the Princess Mary upon the throne.
The progress of William III. on his Avay to Ireland, previous to the battle of the Boyne, lay
through the southern part of Lancashire; on the 11th of June, 1690, his majesty, attended by
Prince George of Denmark, the Duke of Ormond, the Earls of Manchester, Oxford, and Scarborough,
and other persons of distinction, arrived in Liverpool, Avhence, Avith the troops that had been
encamped at Wallasey Leasowes, on the Wirral shore at the opposite side of the Mersey, he
embarked three days later, and landed at Carrickfergus, from Avhich place he advanced southwards,
and on the 1st July defeated James IL on the banks of the Boyne; a battle momentous in its
consequences, and ever memorable in Irish history. The expulsion of the Stuarts by the House
of Orange produced violent discontent amongst the subjects of the ncAV king of the Roman Catholic
persuasion, and in no part of the country Avas that feeling more poAverful than in Lancashire. The
doctrine of " killing no murder " inculcated so freely by the Royalists during the latter part of the
protectorate of Oliver CromAvell, Avas noAv revived, and a conspiracy Avas formed, called " The
' Mnonulay's History of England vi,, p. 470.— C.
CHAP. XVI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 337
Lancashire Plot." for removing King William from tlie throne by the hand of the assassin The
history of this event is involved in considerable obscurity, and even the existence of the Sot has
been called in question. Suspicion had been excited by the landinTof seveS Ir shmen ^^
coast and by the discovery of arms in transit from London to Lanca'shire The CathdLs of he
«?^^^y opened communications with the Irish supporters of King James and Lord Molvneux
Sir Wilh^m Gerard, Sir Thomas Clifton,^ and other of the leading Papists set about ^iSn^S
tenantry m defence of the cause of the absent king. On hearin| of this, ford De ame?e ksued a
proclamation calling upon the friends of liberty and the new go?ernmen to meet hiron Cdon
resZdld trtlt^r^ *d °"'""? armed men, partly Low Churchmen and partly NonconformfsS
responded to the call— a demonstration that quelled the spirit of revolt among the Jacobites and
preserved the tranquillity oi Lancashire. The'lrish party in favour of James II., having received
encouragement from the French ministry, engaged a man of the name of Dum^nt to assassfnate
Sn'fri'^^-^'T'''^"^ ^""fT^^ ^^^ ^ P^^-^y i^ Lancashire, more distinguished for their during
than for their strength, swelled the number of the conspirators. As early as the 18th of Octobe?
1689, a communication was made to the Secretary of fetate for the Home Department, by the
magistrates assembled at quarter sessions of the peace, held by adjournment in Manchester, to the
effectthat many of the branches of the Roman Catholic families in this county, had absconded and
that m their absence several boxes, with scarlet cloaks, pistols, and swords, intended for their use
had been received m Lancashire.
On the 16th of May, 1690, Robert Dodsworth, of Crosby Ravensworth, in the county of
^ estmorland deposed upon oath, before Lord Chief Justice Holt, that certain Roman Catholic
gentlemen and others in Lancashire and the neighbourhood, whom he named, had entered into a
treasonable conspiracy to make war against the Government, with a design to restore King James,
and that the following officers were known to him as having received commissions for the purpose
ot raising troops to carry out the enterprise : —
Under Collonel Thomas Tildeslet^ (of Myerscough .Lodge). Capt. Burley or Barlow.
Lieutenant Collonel Girlington, a Protestant (of Thurland Castle). Cornet Woolfall (Richard Woolfall of Woolfall in Huyton).
Capt. Thomas Tildesley (of Fox HalP — nephew of Colonel Quarter Master Duckett.
„ Jy''^^!'«y'.- , , , , Under Collonel Moltneux.
cS ardTt7(lffXSr'^ "' '°^°'^^' ''''''''''^- J^ieu*. Coll Gerrard (son to Sir William Gerrard of Bryn).
Capt. Henry Butler (son of Richard of Rawcliffe). S^P*' ^«^*y (°f }^'^Z^'^^^^\ ,
Capt Alexander Butler, a Protestant. ^''P*/ ^T°^'°° (°ff?r"> °'^,'^'-tt . ^
Capt. Thomas Cams (of Halton). ^^P*' Molyneux (? of New Hall m Huyton).
Lieut^ William Westby (third ion of Thomas Westby of Mow- ^^ Sorge)°Penuy ' ^^■
"'■ and'to'"' f^ Offi'*' """' *° ™'^ ^ '^™°^ ""^ ''^ """^ *^''^'"^^' ^^'"'- R^^chard'stanky*(of Great Eccleston).
T,Vi,+ r^^J!.^n^„,^ if cf'ii <■ I I nu ■ n i rr ,^ , Lieut. Penalt (? Pennant), or such like Name, he lives in Wales,
Lieut.GeorgeCarus,ofSellet(8onofChns.Carus, of Halton). and came into my Place.
Lieut. Thomas Butler (younger son of Henry of Rawcliffe). Cornet Carus
Srnel S'p'rotttVf Beaumont Cote). '^'^^''^ ^« ^'^° °"^ ^""^ ^^°^P^^* ^' "^ ^'■^'=^-^")' ^ Y-'^*-'
Under Coll. Daltqn, I know none.
Under Collonel Townley (of Townley). Several of these Officers I have it from their own Mouths,
Lieut. Coll. Standish (of Standish). the others only by hearsay.
According to Bishop Burnet, a conspiracy was formed contemporaneously with this Lancashire
" plot " by the Earl of Clarendon, the Bishop of Ely, Lord Preston, Mr. Graham, and William Penn,
the celebrated Quaker, to restore the deposed king ; and Lord Preston, Mr. Ashton, and Mr. Elliot
were despatched to France to communicate to him the design and to obtain his co-opera-
tion. The Government having come to the knowledge of this mission the parties engaged in it
were arrested on shipboard, and amongst their papers were found " a declaration to be published
when the French should have succeeded at sea," and " the result of a conference between certain
lords and gentlemen for the restoration of King James." In January, 1691, Lord Preston and Mr.
Ashton were brought to trial at the Old Bailey on a charge of high treason, and, being both con-
victed, were sentenced to be executed as traitors. Mr. Ashton, who displayed an uncompromising
firmness, underwent the penalty of the law ; but Lord Preston contrived to make his peace with
the court and was pardoned. Against Mr. Elliot no legal proof could be adduced ; Lord Clarendon,
who was afterwards seized, was merely confined to his own house in the country ; and the Bishop
1 The following Treasury order, signed by William III., throws somo William Diccenson, Esq. — and all other charges and expenses of the
light upon the affair : — guards and attendants." — C.
"At our Court at Kensington, the Ist day of February, 1694, in the - Second son of Sir Thomas Tyldesley, the distinguished Royalist
sixth year of our reign. soldier who fell at Wigan Lane in 1651.— C.
" To Robert Lord Lucas, governor of our Tower of London, in satis- ^ Fox Hall, a mansion of which scarcely a vestige now remains,
faction of so much expended and disbursed by him in sending down the stood within a few yards of the pier at South Shore, Blackpool. Within
gentlemen (late prisoners in the Tower) into Cheshire and Lancashire — to the hall was a secret chamber, which formerly went by the name of the
wit, Caryl Lord Vise. Molyneux, Sir Thomas Clifton, .Sir William Gerard, "King's Cupboard," and which is traditionally said to have been mad«
Sir Rowland Stanley, Peter Lea of Lyme, Bartholomew Walmsley, and for James II. during the supposed plots o{ 1690 and 1694.— C,
828 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xvi.
of Ely, Mr. James Graham, and William Perm absconded. In the meantime a correspondence had
been kept up between the deposed monarch and some of the Roman Catholics in Lancashire and
Cheshire, which was conducted through the medium of one Bromfield, a Quaker, residing at Redland,
near Chester, in the house of a person of the name of Wilson, who was also engaged in the conspiracy.
These parties having absconded, the former to Ireland, and the latter into Lancashire, the manage-
ment of the intrigue was committed to three adventurers of the names of Lunt, Gordon, and
Threlfall, who had come over from Ireland with a commission from King James — Lunt being
appointed to Staffordshire, Cheshire, and Lancashire ; Threlfall to Yorkshire ; and Gordon to
Scotland. Subsequently Lunt was committed to the castle of Lancaster on a charge of high
treason, founded principally upon the evidence of the captain of the ship who brought him over
from Ireland, and who found some of the commissions of King James amongst the papers which he
had inadvertently left in the vessel. A person of the name of Dodsworth, of whom mention has
already been made, was also a witness against Lunt. Owing to a deficiency in the evidence, Lunt was
acquitted at Lancaster, and the joy and exultation of the Jacobites were extreme. Uninstructed by
the danger he had escaped, he became a messenger to the deposed monarch, who was then fitting out
an expedition at the Hague, and on his return to England he was sent into Lancashire, plentifully
supplied with arms. Having become alarmed at his own situation, he communicated all the par-
ticulars of the conspiracy to assassinate the king to his majesty's ministers ; and some time after this
treachery he was sent down into the country with Captain Baker to secure the conspirators. A strict
search was immediately instituted at the residence of Captain Standish, of Standish Hall, where
the meetings had been principally held, and in many of the houses of the other suspected persons.
Here there was found a quantity of firearms and ammunition, but whether to such an amount as to
indicate an intention to levy war against the king's government does not appear. According to
Tindall there was found in Mr. Standish's closet the draft of a remonstrance or declaration to be
printed and published on the landing of King James. When the trials came on at Manchester, to
which place the assizes had been adjourned, the witnesses deposed that the persons whom they
accused had received commissions from King James II. to levy troops — that they had enlisted
soldiers and formed them into bodies with a design to assist the French, who were making prepara-
tions to land in this country — and that the Roman Catholics in Lancashire and Cheshire contributed
towards the subsistence of the enemy, in addition to having accumulated ammunition in their own
houses. In proof of these charges a witness of the name of Taffe, an Irish renegade priest, was
called, who had been engaged in the conspiracy and had turned informer ; but instead of giving
the evidence that was expected from him he declared that the pretended " Lancashire Plot " was
a villainous contrivance, concerted between Lunt and himself, to ruin certain gentlemen in this
county ; and the prosecution so entirely failed that the witnesses who were to support the allega-
tions were committed to Newgate upon a charge of perjury, and of having conspired against the
lives and estates of the Lancashire gentlemen.^ The subject of the existence or non-existence of the
conspiracy was afterwards brought under the consideration of Parliament, before whom both Taffe
and Lunt, with a great number of other witnesses, were examined ; and after an investigation,
continued for ten Aveeks, the house resolved, "That it does appear to this house that there were
sufficient grounds for the prosecution and trials of the gentlemen at Manchester. That, upon the
informations and examinations before this house, it does appear that there was a dangerous plot
carried on against the king and his government." ^ The majority in favour of this decision was,
however, very small, the numbers being — for the resolution 133, against it 97. A similar decision
was come to by the House of Lords, though the Earls of Rochester and Nottingham contended
strenuously that the government had not sufficient cause to prosecute the Lancashire and Cheshire
gentlemen, and entered their protest against the decision of the house. In the meantime a
proclamation was issued by the Government, but without success, to apprehend Mr. Standish, of
Standish, who had absconded. Notwithstanding these Parliamentary decisions, Lunt, Womball;
and Wilson,_ three of the witnesses against the accused parties, were tried at Lancaster assizes for
perjury against the Lancashire and Cheshire gentlemen, and found guilty of the charge preferred
against them ; and they were afterwards indicted for a conspiracy against the lives and estates of
those gentlemen, but the accusers having refused to furnish the Icing's attorney and solicitor-general
with witnesses to prove the conspiracy, the prosecution dropped, and Lunt, Womball, and Wilson
were discharged. The spirit of party ran so high that Dodsworth, one of the Government witnesses,
was murdered after the discovery he had made of the conspiracy ; and Redman, another Government
witness, shared the same fate two days afterwards.''
' John Lunt, who appears to have taken a leading part in attempting 2 Journals ot the House of Commons, Feb. 6, 1694-6
to fasten the charge of treason upon the Lanciwhire men, was a mis- ■> For details of this "Lancashire Plot" see " Jacobite Trials in Man-
creantof the most infamous type and actuated by the basest motives; chcsti'.r in 1694," edited by Wm. Beamont, Esq., and "The Trials at
he bad been a highwayman, one of his accomplices was a cattle lifter, Manchester in 1694," edited by the Right Rev. Alex Goss D D —being
and at the time of the trial he made such a ridiculous figure that the vols. 28 and 61 of the Chetham Society's series.— H ' ' ■ •
]ury were compelled to treat his evidence as altogether unworthy of
belief.— C,
CHAP. XVI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 329
The reign of Queen Anne, though sufSciently agitated by foreign wars was not disturbed by
domestic commotions. Her successor, the Elector of Hanover, on whom the crown devolved in
accordance with the provisions of the Act of Settlement, and who assumed the title of Georo'e I.,
was less fortunate. At the time of his accession a great change had come over the feeling of many
of the Lancashire people, and the descendants of those who had resisted the authority of Charles 1.
were no less resolute in their determination to support the cause of his grandson, the exiled
James. When George I. ascended the throne the Jacobites Avere very numerous, and those who
were favourable to the Hanoverian succession had, on the whole, but a sorry time of it. Liverpool
was the head-quarters of the Whigs, but Manchester had become the great stronghold of the Tory
party. The Roman Catholics of the county consistently maintained their adherence to the exiled
Stuarts ; the high Churchmen and ecclesiastical Tories were greatly incensed against the Whig
party which was then dominant at Court, and the Nonjurors — those who had refused to take the
oath of allegiance to the new dynasty after the revolution and had been obliged to resign their
preferments in the Church in consequence— were bitter in their denunciations and affirmed that
under Whig administration heresy and impiety were daily gaining ground. The preaching of Dr.
Sacheverell had fanned the flame of discontent ; in no part of the kingdom had the preacher more
determined partisans than in Lancashire ; and, as a consequence, the Whigs and the Nonconformists
who were in favour of the Hanoverian succession became common objects of persecution. The cry
of " The Church in danger ! " was raised, the cry was re-echoed from town to town ; in Lancashire
it was reiterated with even greater vehemence than by the Lord Mayor's chaplain, and in what
had heen the stronghold of Puritanism, excited mobs roamed the streets, attacked the Dissenters,
plundered their homes and pulled down their meeting houses, professedly in the Church's defence.
On the 10th June, 1715, the birthday of Prince James Francis Edward (the Old Pretender),
a riotous mob, headed by Thomas Syddall, a blacksmith, or according to some authorities, peruke
maker, paraded the town of Manchester, wrecked the Dissenting chapel there, proclaimed the
Pretender as King James the Third, and afterwards demolished the meeting-houses at Blackley,
Greenacres, Monton, and other places. For these offences Syddall, the ringleader, was placed
in the pillory, and afterwards imprisoned in the castle at Lancaster. About the same time a
rebellion broke out in the north, and the county of Lancaster once more became involved in the
horrors of civil war. The restoration of the unfortunate house of Stuart and the re-establishment
of the Catholic religion were the ostensible causes of the approaching contest. To effect these
objects a small army was raised in Scotland, and the Earl of Derwentwater, with a number of
other peers and Scottish lairds, engaged in the desperate enterprise. The Earl of Mar was at the
head of the insurgent army in Scotland, but the division which penetrated into England was led
by the Earls of DerwentAvater, Winton, Nithsdale, and Carnwath ; and Mr. Forster, a gentleman
of Northumberland, received from the Earl of Mar the command of this forlorn hope, with the
commission of general. The invaders took the route of Jedburgh, but five or six hundred of the
Hio'hland foot soldiers refused to cross the frontier, and returned to the Highlands. The strong
admonition conveyed by this defection in the rebel army was disregarded by its devoted leaders,
and on the 31st of October, 1715, they marched to Langtown, in Cumberland, to the music of the
bagpipes, at the head of a few hundred men.^ On the 2nd of November they advanced to
Penrith 'on the 3rd to Appleby, on the 5th to Kendal, on the 6th to Kirkby Lonsdale, and on the
7th to Lancaster. At each of these places the Chevalier de St. George, son of James II., was
proclaimed kino- by the style and title of James III. At Lancaster, where the rebel army remamed
two davs they "caused the Pretender to be prayed for as king of England, and here they seized six
pieces of' cannon on board one of the ships in the bay. Syddall, who was undergoing imprisonment
for the outrage at Manchester, was hberated, and joining the force marched southwards with it.
The buro-esses of Lancaster, with scarcely an exception, were favourable to the king de facto, but
manvof"the Catholic gentry in the neighbourhood came Avith their tenantry and dependants to aid
the cause of the Stuarts, among them Dalton of Thurnham, Hodson of Leighton, Tyldesley of
Mverscough Butler of RaAvcliffe, and Walton of Cartmel. _ On Wednesday, the 9th of November,
the horse arrived at Preston, and on the 10th they were joined by the infantry, Avho had halted at
Garstang the preceding day. On their arrival at Preston their force had mcreased to about 1,600
men Thev all Avore cockades, the Scotch blue and white, and the English red and Ayhite. Grown
confident by their uninterrupted advance they prepared to march for Manchester and Warrington;
but the countrv had begun to rise in their front, and a congregation of Protestant dissenters,
headed by thefr minister the Rev. James Woods,^ had actually marched from ChoA.bent to
Walton-le-Dale, where they Avere draAvn up in battle array to dispute the passage of the Ribble.^
. Proceeding, befor the House of Lords. ^ Mr. Woods had been ejected from Ashton-in-Makerfield.
' Toulmin's "Hist, of the Dissenters.
43
330
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xvi.
Woods had concerted measures with Sir Henry Hoghton to raise and arm the Nonconformist
peasantry in his neighbourhood, and had received authority to act in his Majesty's service, as
appears by the following communication : —
"To the Rev. Mr. Woods, in Chowbent, for liis Majesty's service.— Chaeles Wills."
"The officers here deslga to march at break of day for Preston. They have desired me to raise what men I can to meet us at
Preston to-morrow, so desire you to raise all the force you can-I mean lusty young fellows, to draw up on Guerdon Green, to be
there bv ten o'clock • to bring with them what arms they have fit for service, and scythes put m straight poles ; and such as have
notfto bring spades and bill hooks for pioneering with, Pray go immediately all amongst your neighbours and JIve^th^s_^notlce.-
I am, your very faithful sen-ant,
"Wigan, Nov. lltb, 1715." ^
These heroes were armed with the implements of their husbandry, and, reversing the ancient
prediction they made swords of their ploughshares and spears of their pruning-hooks. Headed
bv their minister Woods they marched to Preston where they were met by similar bodies headed
by the Rev John Walker of Horwich and the Rev. John Turner of Preston.' Positions were
assio-ned them by General Wills, and Woods and his people disputed the passage of the rebels
across the Ribble, keeping them in check until news arrived that the king's forces were
approachino-, when the first care of the rebels was to barricade the streets of Preston, About
imd-day on"Saturday, November 12th, General Wills attacked the town with great vigour, but m
the first instance with little success. On Sunday, General Carpenter, at the head of three
reo-iments of dragoons, appeared before the town, and General Forster, finding himself completely
invested, and considering his situation to be desperate, sent Colonel Oxborough with a trumpeter
to sue for a capitulation. Owing to some disagreement between the Scotch and the English forces
as to the surrender, the negotiation was not concluded that night, but in the meantime Lord
Derwentwater and Mr. Mackintosh were delivered up as hostages, and on Monday morning,
November 14th, the whole of the rebel army made an unconditional surrender.
The rebellion was now at an end, but its penalty remained to be paid. No fewer than seven
lords and 1,500 men, including officers, fell into the hands of the king's forces; and the gaols of
Lancaster, Preston, Manchester, Liverpool, and Chester were filled with state prisoners. Courts-
martial sat upon a number of the leaders ; and James Radcliffe Earl of Derwentwater, William
Earl of Nithsdale, Robert Earl of Carnwath, George Earl of Winton, William Lord Widdrington,
William Viscount Kenmure, and William Lord Nairn, were all impeached before the House of
Lords, and found guilty of high treason. Of these noblemen, the Earl of Derwentwater and Lord
Kenm'ure were beheaded on Tower Hill on the 24th February, 1716 ; Earl Nithsdale and Earl
Winton escaped the blow, having found means to get out of the Tower ; and Lord Widdrington,
Lord Nairn, and the Earl of Carnwath were reprieved, and afterwards pardoned. Forty-nine other
prisoners were convicted, and forty-seven of them paid the price of their treason by the forfeit of
their lives ; but General Forster and Mr. Mackintosh had sufficient address to escape out of
Newgate and make their way to the Continent. Captain Charles Murray, son of the Duke of
Athole, was condemned by a court-martial, but he was afterwards reprieved. Of the prisoners
condemned at the " Bloody Assize," as it was called at Lancaster, sixteen were hanged at Preston,
five at Wigan, five at Manchester — among them the blacksmith or peruke maker Syddall — four at
Garstang, four at Liverpool, and nine at Lancaster ; and Colonel Oxborough, Mr. Gascoigne, the
Rev. Mr. Paul, and John Hall, Esq., were hanged at Tyburn.''
On the day of the surrender of the insurgent forces at Preston a great battle was fought at
Dunblane, between the Duke of Argyle and the Earl of Mar, in which, as in most engagements of
doubtful issue, both armies claimed the victory ; and on the 22nd of December, 1715, the Chevalier
de St. George, under an expectation that all the subjects of the realm were ready to take up arms
in his favour, landed from the Continent in Scotland. This hope was woefully disappointed, for
after spending a month in issuing proclamations, by one of which it was announced that his
coronation would take place on the 23rd January, he found it expedient to quit the kingdom.
The most convenient point for embarkation was Montrose, and from this port he sailed in a small
French vessel, accompanied by the Earl of Mar and sixteen other persons of distinction of the
Jacobite party. The followers of the Stuarts, being thus left without leaders, dispersed on the
approach of the Duke of Argyle, and the claims of that house were doomed to remain in abeyance
for another generation.
The oaths of supremacy and allegiance to the reigning family were now strongly urged, both
upon the clergy and the laity of this kingdom, and an Act of Parliament was passed, wherein,
amongst other matters, it was directed that all Roman Catholics, nonjurors, and others, who refused
1 Toulmin's "Life of Mr. John Moi-t."— 0. "Discourses on the Life and Times of the Rev. James Woods," 1859,
'^ In acknowledgment of their services the gcvernment granted p. 15, — 0.
pensions of £100 a year to Woods and Walker, the former of whom was ^ For many interesting particulars as to this rebellion, see " Lan-
afterwarda known as "General" Woods. See Rev. Franklin Baker's casMre Memoi-ials of the ^ Rebellion of 1715," edited by the late Dr.
Hibbert-Ware (vol. 5 of the Chetham Society's series).
CHAP. XVI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 331
to take these oaths, should transmit to commissioners, appointed for the purpose, a register of their
estates, setting forth in what parish and township the lands were situated, by whom they were
occupied, the annual value at which they were estimated, and the names, titles, additions, and
places of abode of their owners. Under the operation of this Act returns were made to the
commissioners of estates in the various counties of England to the yearly amount of £358,194
5s. 3fd., of which sum the estates in Lancashire yielded £13,158 10s. in the following proportions :
73 estates of Catholics, nonjurors, &c., in Amounderness Hundred, £2,660 Is. 3d. ; 29 estates in
Blackburn, £972 10s. 2d.; 54 estates in Leyland Hundred, £1,463 13s. l|d. ; 25 estates in
Lonsdale, £1,432 8s. ; 17 estates in Salford, £721 Is. 3d. ; 122 estates in West Derby, £5,901
16s. 2id. _ ^
By the Act just quoted this mass of landed property was placed in jeopardy, but it does not
appear that the owners were dispossessed of their estates, or that any use was ever made of the
registers, except that they were published in the year 1745, " with a view to assist the magistrates
and other officers entrusted with the execution of the orders of Government, for suppressing the
growth and unhappy effects of the insurrection in the north." At this period a contest, conducted
with great vigour and asperity, prevailed both in the county of Lancaster and in several of the
other counties of England, involving the doctrine of the divine right of kings, in which the
nonjurors insisted that no pretence whatever could justify an insurrection against the sovereign;
that the Stuarts, being kings of England de jure, could not be legally displaced ; and consequently
that no other king but the descendants of James II. could claim from them an oath of allegiance.
On the other hand, it was contended that the people had a right to cashier a sovereign, when that
sovereign aimed at the subversion of the religion and constitution of the realm ; and that the house
of Hanover being in possession of the throne de facto, and by the general though not the
universal will of the nation, allegiance was justly due to that house, and not to the family that had
been expelled. The contest became too warm to be settled in the closet, and in the reign of
George II. another appeal was made to arms. Prince Charles Edward, the Young Chevalier as he
was called by the partisans of the Stuarts, or the Young Pretender (son of the Pretender) as he was
more generally designated, animated with the hopes of a throne, and misled by the sanguine
representations of his friends, quitted his exile in France, and on the 2nd of August, 1745, landed
in the Hebrides. France had promised substantial support, not because France had any particular
liking for the Stuarts, but because she was not unwilling to pay off some old scores by finding
employment for her traditional foe. The prince having assembled about 1,200 men in the
neighbourhood of Fort William, hostilities immediately commenced. From thence he proceeded
to Edinburgh, and, owing to the energy and activity of his friends and the apathy of his enemies,
he was enabled to take possession of that ancient capital. Aware that the blow, to be successful,
must be struck in England, and entertaining confident expectations of being joined by numbers
wherever the standard of the Stuarts was planted, he resolved to advance into the heart of the
country and to hazard all upon the issue. On the 6th day of November the young prince, at the
head of his small army, crossed the western border, and invested Carlisle, which in less than three
days surrendered. Here he found a considerable number of arms and plenty of ammunition, and to
encourage his followers his father was proclaimed king of Great Britain, and himself regent, by
the mao-istracy of that city. The ministers of George II. now began to bestir themselves, and an
army was assembled in Staffordshire, under Sir John Ligonier, to arrest the career of the mvaders.
Unintimidated by these hostile preparations, and confident in his own resources, the young
adventurer advanced by the route of Penrith into Lancashire, marching on foot in a Highland
garb at the head of his forces. But the expectation of being joined by the inhabitants of the
country through which he passed was not realised. His enterprise was considered desperate and
the people in general proved well affected to the house of Hanover. Charles Edward, at the head
of the vanguard of his army, reached Lancaster on the 24th of November, wearmg a light plaid
belt with a blue sash, and mounting a blue bonnet, with a white rose, the badge of the house of
York in front The numbers of his army have been variously represented, but according to the
testimony of MacDonald,^ himself one of the rebels, it did not exceed 5,600 men when marching
through Lancashire. The troops were principally of the Highland clans, who, led by their chiefs,
marched to the music of the Highland pipes and drums.= On their banners were inscribed the
words "Liberty and Property-Church and King." The arms of the majority were the broad-
sword' the dir£, and the shield, and a small number were musketeers The prince was their
commknder-in-chief, and the Dukes of Perth and Athol, and Marquises of Montrose and Dundee,
wir^welve other Scotch and English noblemen, and thirteen knights, mostly from the Highlands,
2 .. The King shall enjoy Mb own again " was one of their favourite tunes.
' Sttit6 J.iri£liSf 13C. ■Jit'
332 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xvi.
who had received their titles from their intrepid leader, swelled the number, and conferred dignity
on the desperate enterprise. Generally the most rigid discipline prevailed, but in some cases the
invaders seized the horses of the farmers, and used them partly for mounting their cavalry and
partly for conveying their baggage.
Francis Townley, a scion of an old Lancashire family, who had figured at the court of
Louis XV., and seen service and earned distinction abroad, was entrusted with a colonel's
commission from the French king. The commission authorised him to raise forces on behalf of the
prince, and with that object he repaired to Manchester, the reputed stronghold of the Jacobite
party, to beat up for recruits. The town was excited ; the bolder spirits were jubilant and eager in
their desire to don the white cockade ; some money was raised, and more was promised but never
paid; and what is known to history as the "Manchester Regiment" was enrolled. On the 27th of
November the prince arrived at Preston, and by a forced march by way of Wigan reached
Manchester on Saturday the 29th, where quarters were ordered for 10,000 troops. Here the force
was joined by about 200 Englishmen, who had been formed into a regiment commanded by_ Colonel
Townley, under the designation of the " Manchester Regiment." In the civil wars of his great
grandfather Charles I., Manchester had, as we have seen, been the head-quarters for many years
of the Parliamentary party in Lancashire ; but from some cause which it might not be difficult to
explain the mass of the people had changed from Roundheads to Jacobites,_ and the arrival of
Prince Charles was celebrated by illuminations and other pubUc demonstrations of joy. " His
Majesty King James the Third " was proclaimed at the Market Cross ; receptions were held by the
prince at which Jacobite damsels, wearing tartan favours, strove with one another for the privilege
of kissing his hand ; and in the evening bonfires were lit and merry peals rang from the steeple of
the " old church." The next day, after a special service in the church, the troops were reviewed,
and on the Monday, the Highlanders, augmented by the Manchester Regiment, set forward on their
march southwards, advancing in two divisions, by different routes, to Macclesfield, where they were
again united. Thence they advanced, on the following day, by way of Congleton and Leek, to
Derby, where they received intelligence that General Wade's army was in Yorkshire, and that the
Duke of Cumberland, brother of King George, was at the head of a considerable force of veterans in
the neighbourhood of Lichfield. The danger of being hemmed in between two armies, each of
them more numerous than his own, awakened the apprehension of the young prince, who
immmediately summoned a council of war. Lord Nairn and some of the most sanguine of the
rebels insisted upon the propriety of marching directly to London, but the majority detennined to
retreat to Scotland with all possible expedition, and Prince Charles reluctantly acquiesced in this
determination. That retreat tolled the knell of the hopes of the Stuarts ! Derby was accordingly
abandoned on the 6th of December, and on the 9th the vanguard arrived at Manchester, when the
regiment raised by Townley was broken up, though Townley himself, with some of his more ardent
supporters, determined on sharing the fortunes of the prince. On the 12th the remnant of the army
entered Preston by way of Wigan, and continuing the route by Lancaster, reached the Scotch
frontier on the 20th, having performed this memorable retreat of nearly two hundred miles, at
midwinter, in fourteen days, and without any material loss of either men, baggage, or cannon.
The speedy arrival of the Duke of Cumberland in Lancashire contributed essentially to the-
re-establishment of the public peace and confidence ; and a number of stragglers from the fugitive
army, who had loitered behind for the purpose of plunder, were taken prisoners by General
Oglethorp's dragoons on the 16th Dec, and committed to Lancaster Castle. During the winter
great exertions were made to strengthen the hostile armies. The Duke of Cumberland repaired
to the north at the head of a numerous and well-appointed force, and the time was approaching
when the crown of Great Britain was to be contended for upon the plains of Scotland. Early in
the month of April the belligerents drew towards Inverness-shire, and on the 16th of that month
they met on the heath of Culloden. Here an engagement took place which, prostrating in the
dust the hopes of the house of Stuart, will be for ever memorable in the history of these islands.
After the destruction of his army, the Prince Pretender wandered as a fugitive in the Highlands
for several mouths, with a reward of £30,000 fixed upon his head, enduring the extremity of
personal privation ; but at length he escaped into France, and the tranquillity of the British
dominions was restored. A considerable nimaber of his English partisans, principally officers in
the " Manchester Regiment," were conveyed to London and tried for high treason. At the head
of these unfortunate men stood Francis" Townley, Esq., of Carlisle, nephew of Mr. Townley, of
Townley Hall, in Lancashire, who was himself tried for being concerned in the rebellion of 1715,
but acquitted. The trials took place on the 15th, 16th, and l7th of July, 1746, before a special
commission assembled at the court-house of St. Margaret's Hill, Southwark ; and the facts of the
rebellion and the participation of the prisoners being fully established, they were pronounced
CHAP. XVI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 333
guilty and adjudged. " To be severally hanged by the neck, not till they were dead, but cut down
alive, then their bowels to be taken out and burnt before their faces, their heads to be severed
from^ their bodies, and their bodies severally divided into four quarters, and these to be at the
king's disposal." The number of persons tried was seventeen, and of that number Francis
Townley, colonel of the Manchester Regiment ; Thomas Theodoras Deacon, James Dawson, John
Barwick, George Fletcher, and Andrew Blood, captains in the Manchester Regiment ; Thomas
Chadwick, lieutenant ; Thomas Syddall, adjutant in the same regiment, a son of Thomas Syddall,
the peruke maker, who was hanged for his share in the rebelhon of 1715 ; and David Morgan,
a barrister-at-law, and a volunteer in the Pretender's army, were executed on Kennington Common,
on the 30th July, with all the horrid accompaniments prescribed by the law. As they mounted
the scaffold each of the prisoners made a sort of confession of faith, seven out of the nine
professed themselves to be of the reformed religion,^ and in general they resigned themselves to
their fate with a degree of heroic constancy worthy of a better cause. The heads of Colonel
Townley and Captain George Fletcher were placed upon Temple Bar ; but the heads of all the
other prisoners were preserved in spirits and sent into the country to be placed in public
situations in Manchester or in Carlisle — -the heads of Thomas Syddall and Thomas Theodoras
Deacon remaining for years spiked upon the Manchester Exchange. The following prisoners,
chiefly Lancashire men and officers or volunteers in the Manchester Regiment, were also convicted,
but thej' were reprieved and afterwards pardoned : Alexander Abernethy, James Gadd, Thomas
Furnivall, Christopher Taylor, William Brettargh, John Sanderson, Charles Deacon, and James
Wilding. Bills of indictment for high treason arising out of this rebellion were also found by the
county of Surrey against the Earls of Kilmarnock and Cromartie, and against Arthur, Lord
Balmerino, and these three peers were impeached before the House of Lords on the 28th of Jul^,
1746. Conviction speedily followed accusation, they were all three pronounced guilty, and the
Earl of Kalmarnock and Lord Balmerino suffered on the block. The titular Earl of Derwentwater,
having been taken in a ship bound to Scotland, suffered the same fate ; and Lord Lovat, though
turned fourscore years of age, was consigned to the block for traitorously conspiring to raise
and levy war against the king. In the country, nine persons concerned in this rebellion were
executed at Carlisle, six at Brompton, near Penrith, and eleven at York. About fifty were
executed as deserters in different parts of Scotland, and eighty-one suffered as traitors in that
country.
In both these rebellions the county of Lancaster displayed a firm attachment to the reigning
family — the Catholics as well as the Protestants. The instances of defection were very rare ; and
when they occurred they were rather imputable to some peculiarity in the situation of the
dehnquents than to any party or religious feelings. The romantic attempt of the Young Chevalier,
as displayed in the rebellion of 1745, had in it something imposing to ardent and enthusiastic
minds; and those who embraced his cause on the south of the Tweed were principally young men
of warm temperament, whose imaginations were dazzled by the chivalrous character of the
enterprise. The defeat at CuUoden ended a dynastic contest of more than fifty years in less
than fifty minutes.
Since the final overthrow of the Stuarts, the incidents that go to make up the history
of Lancashire have been associated more with commercial progress than chivalnc enterprise
Though the voice of the county has not unfrequently been heard directing the advancement of
national wealth and greatness, and occasionally it has been conspicuous for its agitations— social,
educational, and political— it has in the main devoted itself to the cultivation of the peaceiul
arts and the practical business of life. For a century or more it has gone on inventing and
advancing signalising itself more by its mechanical skill and ingenuity than by its deeds of
daring and military prowess. Discovery and invention— the disclosure of the secrets of nature
and the application of them to the uses of man— were born almost together, and have gone on
hand in hand until they have changed almost entirely the aspects of the county. i he last
hundred vears present a marvellous retrospect of the progress of mechanical invention, and their
historv is little more than a continuous record of industrial activity and commercial enterprise.
"Before the rei^n of the second George had drawn to a close, labouring artisans began to exercise
their inventive faculties on the rude appliances then in use. Practical observationenabled them
to elaborate their mechanical contrivances step by step, and thus a series of progressive inventions
followed each other. For five centuries and more the county had been famed ior its manu-
factures, which have contributed to the wealth of its people and the prosperity of the nation
but for long ages it made little or no progress in improving the machinery, it we may call it
such, employed in the production of its wares. The soil had grown its flax and cotton, the
1 Colonel Townley and Oaptaln Blood were the only Roman Catholics.
334 THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIKE. chap. xvi.
sheep had yielded its wool, and the worm had spun its silk, but as late almost as the
days of our great grandmothers the spinning wheel and the loom were as simple and as
primitive in their construction as those used by the Hindoo. The cotton trade had long
formed the staple industry, but until 1738 the weaver was accustomed to throw his shuttle
from hand to hand between the threads that formed his warp. In that year Kay invented
the fly shuttle, which enabled one man to do the work of two ; in 1767, James Hargreaves,
of Blackburn, constructed his first spinning jenny; and in the same year a reed maker,
named Highs, invented a machine for the spinning of cotton twist by rollers, to which he
gave the name of the water frame throstle. Scarcely had he completed his work than Richard
Arkwright, a Bolton barber of a mechanical turn, obtained a model of it, improved the construction,
and with the assistance of the Strutts, of Belper, established a cotton mill, _ the first in the
kingdom, and thereby laid the foundation of his fortune and the rapid extension of the cotton
trade. While these things were being accomplished, Samuel Crompton, a young man residing at
Hall-i'th'-wood, near Bolton, was secretly giving practical form to an idea that had floated through
his brain, and in 1779 produced his spinning mule, a machine so named from the circumstance
of its combining the principles of the two inventions of Hargreaves and Arkwright to produce a
third more efi"ective than either. In 1787, Bolton and Watt's rotative steam engine Avas brought
into action at Warrington, and about the same time Cartwright introduced his power loom, the
most important of the inventions for diminishing manual labour in the cotton manufacture.
By the aid of these inventions, and with the product of its great coal-fields, which have
yielded their treasures to help the industry of the artisan and facilitate his labours, the commerce
of Lancashire has extended itself with marvellous rapidity, the wealth and population have
been augmented in a corresponding degree, and the changes in the appearance of the county have
been such as might compare with the fictions of Eastern romance."^
The labour of a producing population cannot be sustained without facilities of transit for the
articles produced. * The primitive modes of intercourse were altogether inadequate to the growing
energies of the people, and without improved means of communication the industry of the county
could not be maintained, or its wealth and prosperity increased ; hence, Lancashire, which had
been the birthplace of so many mechanical inventions, became also the cradle of the canal system
and led the way in the construction of that system of artificial water ways which subsequently
spread like a network over the country. At a later date, under the wand of the magician Steam,
the railway system was called into existence, and as the county has the credit of giving birth to the
canal system, so also may it claim the credit of having initiated the railway system, for, though the
Stockton and Darlington line was formed a few years previously, the Liverpool and Manchester
was the first railway on which the powers of the steam locomotive for the purposes of traction
were fully established. Since then it has spread its ramifications over the entire face of the
county, until, as is estimated, there are now over 600 miles of roadway. " Onward" may be said to
have been the watchword of the county, but its efibrts have been devoted for the most part to the
practical business of life, and for the last hundred years or more its annals are little else than a
continuous chronicle of mechanical enterprise, ingenuity, and skill.
Having brought down the general history of the county to the middle of the eighteenth
century, the more recent historical events will be treated in the hundred and parish histories ; but
it will be proper here to take a general survey of the gentry of the county, and, preliminary
thereto, to give a catalogue of the heralds' visitations in chronological order, as they are exhibited
in the British Museum : —
LANCASHIRE VISITATIONS.
Date of Herald's
Visitation. Name of Herald.
1533. Thomas Benoilt, Clarencieux, by his deputy, WilJiam Fellow, Lancaster Herald; entitled " A Visitac'on made in
Lancashire and in a p'te of Chestershyre,'' p' Lancast'r Ileraulde in ye xxiiiith yeare of o'r Soveraigne Lord
Kinge Henry viiith, by a Speciall Com'cion of Thorn's Benoilt, alias Clarencieux, Kine; of the same Province."—
(Harl. MS. 2076, fol. 11.)'
1 " Lancashire, Descriptive and Historical," by Jaa. Croston, F.S.A., made me proud wordes." (Harl. M3S. 2076, f. 12 b.) " Sir John Townley,
pp. 44-5.— C. kt., had to his first wief one who was daughter to Sir Charles Apillysdon,
'' Vide a long note on this MS. in Eibliotheca Heraldica, p. 5S2. It etc. I wot not what her name is, nor I made no greate inquisition, for
appears from this visitation that only one Cheshire family declined to he would have no note taken of him, saying, there 2oas no more gentlemen
make an entry, while many of the Lancashire families refuaed even to be in Lancashire but my tords of Derby and Monteagle. I sought hym all the
spoken with by the herald ; and others, who condescended to gi-ant an day ryding in the wyld country, and his reward was lis. w'eh the guyde
audience, dismissed the heraldic "visitant with the utmost rudeness." hadd the most p'tu, as I had as evill a jorney as ever I liadd."
Two examples of the conduct of knightly families in the latter county ' Mr. Baines held the opinion, in which the late Mr. Harland shared,
are given, with his usual simplicity, by Mr. Fellows: "Sir Richard that the copy in the British Museum was the original, but it is not so.
Hoghton, Kt. , hath putt away his ladye and wief, and kepeth a concobyne The original, which was in the possession of William Pierpoint, of
in his howse, by whom he hath divers children, and by the Lady he hath Thoresby, co. Notts, in 16S8, was destroyed by fire at that mansion in
Ley Hall, w'ch armes he bereth quartred with his in the first quarter. 1745. The copy in the Harl. MSS. is a transcript coeval with the dupli-
He says that Mr. Garter licensed him so to doe, and he gave Mr. Garter cate in the College of Anns, and includes ordinaries of Lancashire and
an angell noble, but he gave me nothi[)g, nor made me good cheer, but Cheshire arms not contained in the office copy. — C.
CHAP. XVI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
Date of Herald's
Visitation. Name of Herald.
1567. William Flower, Norroy. — Harl. MS. 2086. [This MS. ia neatly written in the hand of the celebrated Glover,
Somerset Herald, who accompanied his father-in-law. Flower, in the Visitation. It is in tabulated form and has
some continuations by other hands.]
Another copy of the same Visitation, written narratively. — Harl. MS. 891,^ fol. 59.
Another copy of the same Visitation, in tables. — Harl. MS. 1468,'' fol. 12.
Another copy of the same A^sitation, entered alphabetically, with some continuations. — Harl. MS. 1549.
Another copy of the same Visitation, written and augmented in 1598 by William Smith, Rouge Dragon Poursuivant ;
" a work " stated in the Harl. Cafcilogue to be " carefully executed, but unfinished." The arms are all neatly
coloured. — Harl. MS. 6159. [There is also a copy of Flower's Visitation in the Manchester Coll. Lib., based
apparently upon Smith's transcript.]
1613. " Many, if not most of the loose papers" of the Visitation, by Richard St. George, Norroy. — Harl. MS. 1437.
Descents registered at the Visitation of 1613.— Harl. MS. 154 9, fol. 108.
Pedigrees, supposed to be copied from the Visitation of 1567, by Thomas Knight, Chester Herald.
Arms of Families of Lancashire and Cheshire blazoned. — Harl. MS. 893.
Pedigrees apparently copied from the Visitation of 1567. — Harl. MS. 1158.
"Lancashire Pedigrees, supposed to be copied from the Visitation of 1567, with continuations by the two last Randle Holmes,
so low as the year 1704."— Harl. MS. 1987.
Funeral Certificates of the Counties of Lancaster, Cheshire, Shropshire, and North Wales, begun 1st March 1600. — Lansdowne
MS. 879.
Funeral Certificates of the counties of Lancaster, Chester, and North Wales, begun 28fch May 1606. — Lansdowne MS. 2041.
Randle Holme's Collections for Lancashire, chiefly consisting of extracts from deeds. — Lansdowne MS. 2042.
iiid.— Lansdowne MS.. 2112.
Collections, Historical, Heraldical, and Juridical, principally relating to Lancashire. —Lansdowne MS. 7386.
There is here one important omission, arising out of the last and most authentic visitation of the
county not having yet found its way into the British Museum ; this is the visitation of Lancashire
made by Sir William Dugdale, knight, himself a descendant of a Lancashire family long settled
at Clitheroe, and some time Garter Principal King-of-arms. Sir William's visitation is deposited
in the Heralds' Office, Doctors' Commons, London ; and the following extracts from the diary of
the venerable antiquary fixes the dates with precision when the entries were made : — ^
[ Visitation of Lancashire.'] *
September 1664. — 8. To Manchester. 12. To Blackburn. 14. To Garstang. 15. To Lancaster. 17. To Preston. 21. To
Eufford, Mr. Molineux house. 22. To Ormeskirke. 24. To Knowsley, the Earle of Derby's. 26. To Tabley in Chesh.
Sr Peter Leicester's. 28. To Stone. 29. Home to BIythe Hall.
March 1665. 9. From BIythe Hall to Stone. 10. Manchester. 11. To sit at Manchester. 13. To ride to Preston. 14. To
sit at Preston. 15. Lancaster. 16. To sit at Lancaster.
April 1665.^4. To Rydale (neere Ambleside), Mr. Fleming's house. 5. Lancaster. 6. Preston. 7. Ormskirk. 8. To sit at
Ormskirk. That night to my Ld MoUueux.
In addition to the herald's visitations and other MSS. in the British _ Museum, copies of
many of the Lancashire wills and inventories, funeral certificates, and Inquisitiones post mortem
have been printed by the Chetham and Record Societies.
Persons assuming to be gentlemen, but who were not entitled to the honour of bearing arms,
were subject to the following indignities on their names being struck from the former visitations:
"Their names being written on a sheet of paper," says William Flower, Norroy king-of-arms,
" with fayre greate letters, was carryed by the Bayliff of the Himdred, and one of the Herauldes
men to the Chiefe Towne of that hundred, where, in the chiefe place thereof, the herauldes man
Redd the names (after crye made by the Baylife and the people gathered) And_ then pronounced
openly by the said Bayley Every man's name severally contamed m the said bill : that done, the
Bavlev sett the said Bill of Names on a poste fast with wax where it may stand drye, so it be as
aforesaid in the Chiefest place of the said Towne." When Sir William Dugdale made his
visitation some whose ancestors had long borne arms disclaimed their right altogether, and the
Nonconformist families generally appear to have disregarded his summons, disdaining the "noble
science" and treating with contempt its terrestrial distinctions and dignities.
Amongst the MS. collections in the Chetham Library, Manchester, are the following :—
No 6694— A copy of Flower's Visitation, bearing the date of 1567, and the following years, transcribed from a book of
■ parchment in the hands of Robert Cooke, Clarencieux king-of-armes m 1583
No 6719 -^Another copy of the Visitation of 1567, transcribed, &c., by Wm, Smith Rouge Dragon. _ . , , , ,
A ereat variety of pedigrees and genealogies of Lancashire families, &c many of the armorial bearings curiously emblazoned,
XerVsketched with the pen, interspersed with numerous historical memoranda. By Thomas Barret.''
,1.1. Ari„it„«nT,nf Suffolk nnd other Bediorees 8022, 8024, and 1826.— H. Mr. Grcgson mentions an original copy of the
1 This MS. contains ''^°^^^'''?'^^}°^3°^^^^ Visitation of Lancashire, a.d. 1662, in this lihrary, supposed to be in
= This MS. likewise contains the Visitation «* Mjf ^lesex i° 166*^ Dugdale's own handwriting, containing two hundred and eighty-four
' Hamper's Life of Sir William Uugdale, pp. 11^ lis. sir wuiiam u^^^^^ ^^ ^^^^^ ^^^ genealogies, but we do not find any such MS., nor
was knighted by Charles 11. may '^=' ""'•., , ,, ,.„„, ifi„„„r (1 i^mt St was there any Visitation of Lancashire made by Dugdale in that year.— B.
4 The Visitations of liincashire by Benoilt ^^^^^/^.^^^J-^^^H^^"^ Thereis no such MS. in the library. Dugdale'a Visitition of Lancashire
George (1613), and Dugdale (1664-5), have been printed by tne onetnam ^^J^^^. j^ ^^^^ ^^^ ^^ .^^^^ ^„^ i^g,^ ^j ^^^^^ the office copy (C 37) is
^°"'*Th7s6' will be found in the MS. vols, numbered 8017, 8019, 8020, preserved in the Heralds' College.-H.
336
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XVI.
FAMILIES WHICH ENTERED THEIR DESCENTS AT THE LANCASHIRE VISITATIONS OF
1533, 1567, 1613, and 1664-5
Adlington of Adlington 1533
Ainsworth of Pleasington —
Allen of Broughton
Ambrose of Ambrose Ha 11
Ambrose of Lowlck —
Anderton of Andertoa —
Anderton of Birchley —
Anderton of Euxton —
Anderton of Lostock —
Andrews of Little Lerer —
Ashawe of Hall-on-the-Hill 1533
Asheton of Asheton — ■
Asheton of Chadderton —
Asheton of Great Lever 1533
Asheton of Middleton 1533
Asheton of Penketh — •
Asheton of Shepley —
Ashton of Bamf urlong — ■
Ashton of Croston —
Ashton of Preston —
Ashurst of Ashurst —
Astley of Stakes —
Atherton of Atherton 1533
Aughton of Adlington —
1567
1567
— 1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
Bamford of Bamford —
Banastre of Altham
Banastre of Bank 1533
Banastre of Darwen —
Banastre of Preston —
Bankes of Winstanley —
Barcroft of Barcroft —
Barljw of Barlow —
Barton of Barton —
Barton of Smithells 1533
Beck of Manchester —
Beconsall of Beconeall 1533
Billinge of Billinge —
Bindlosse of Berwick —
Birch of Ardwick —
Birch of Birch —
Birtwistle of Huncoat
Blackburn of Newton
Blundell of Ince Blundell —
Eluudell of Little Crosby —
Blundell of Preston —
BoldofBold 1533
Booth of Barton 1633
Booth of Booth —
Booth of Salf ord —
Bootle of Melling —
Brabyu of Docker —
Braddyll of Brockholes —
Braddyll of Whalley —
Bradley of Bradley —
Bradley of Bryning —
Bradshaw of Bradshaw —
Bradshaw of Darcy Lever —
Bradshaw of Haigh 1533
Bradshaw of Pendleton —
Bradshaw of Pennington —
Bradshaw of Preesall —
Breres of Chorley —
Bretherton of Hey —
Brettargh of Brettargh's Holt —
Brockholes of Clayton —
Brockholes of Hetou —
Bruche of Bruche 1533
Bryers of Walton —
Buckley of Buckley —
T3urron of Warrington —
Bushell of Kuerden —
Butler of Bewsey 1533
Butler of Kirkland —
Butler of Rawoliffe 1533
Butterworth of Belfield —
Byrom of Byrom —
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1613
1664-5
1613
1664-5
—
1664-5
_
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
1613
—
1613
1664-5
—
1664-5
1613
1664-5
1613
1664-5
1613
—
—
1664-5
1613
—
1613
1664-5
—
1664-5
1613
1664-5
1613
1664-5
—
1664-5
1613
1664-5
—
1664-5
1613
1664-5
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
— 1567
— 1567
— 1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
1613
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1661-5
1613
1664-5
_
1664-5
1613
—
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
1613
—
—
1664-5
1664-5
1613
1664 5
—
1664-5
1613
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
1613
—
—
1664-5
—
1634-5
—
1664-5
1613
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
1664-5
1613
1664-5
—
1664-5
1613
1664-5
—
1664-5
Byrom of Manchester —
Byrom of Salf ord —
Byron of Clayton 1533
Calvert of Cockerham
Cams of Asthwaite
Carus of Halton
Case of Hayton
Catherall of My tton
Catterall of Crooke
Chaddock of Chaddock
Chaderton of Leghes
Chad wick of Chadwick
Chadwiok of Healey
Chadwick of Taunton
Charnock of Cliarnook
Charnock of Leyland
Chetham of Chetham
Chetham of Crumpsall
Chetham of Nuthurst
Chetham of Turton
Chisnall of Chisnall
Chorley of Chorley
Chorley of Ormskirk
Chorley of Preston
Clayton of Clayton
Clayton of Crooke
Clayton of Lentworth
Clayton of Little Harwood ,
Clifton of Clifton
Clifton of Westby
Cole of Coat
Cooper of Carnf ord
Cottom of Tornaker
Crombock of Clarke Hill
Cross of Liverpool
Cud worth of Werneth
Culcheth of Abram
Culcheth of Culcheth
Curwen of Poulton
Dalton of Bispham
Dalton of Thurnham ..
Daniell of Wigan
Davenport of Salford ..
Dewhurst of Alston
Dewhurst of Dewhurst
Dichfield of Ditton
Dickinson of Writinton , .
Doding of Conishead ..
Downes of Wardley
Dukinfield of Hindley ..
Eccleston of Eccleston ..,
Egerton of Shaw
Eltonhead of Eltonhead
Entwistle of Foxholes ..
Ey ves of Fishwick
Farington of Farington 1533
Farington of Lingard —
Farington of Ribbleton —
Farington of Worden —
Fazakerley of Fazakerley —
Fazakerley of Kirby —
Fleetwood of Penwortham —
Fleetwood of Rossall —
French of Preston —
Fyfe of Wedacre —
Qartside of Rochdale —
Gerard of Astley —
Gerard of Bryn 1533
Gerard of Inoe ■ —
Gerard of Newton —
Gilibrand of Chorley —
Gilibrand of Peel —
—
—
1664-5
—
1613
1664-5
1567
—
—
1613
_
1567
—
—
—
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
1567
—
—
—
—
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
—
1613
—
—
—
1664-5
— .
1613
—
—
—
1664-5
1567
1613
—
1567
1613
—
—
1664-5
—
1613
—
—
—
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
1567
1613
1664-5
1567
1613
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
—
1613
—
—
—
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
—
—
1364-5
1567
1613
—
—
—
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
—
1613
—
—
—
1664-5
1567
—
—
1567
1613
1664-5
—
. —
1664-5
1567
—
1664-5
—
1613
—
1613
— .
—
1664-5
—
— .
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
— .
—
1664-5
—
1613
—
1567
1613
—
—
—
1664-5
1613
1664-5
—
1613
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
1567
_
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
1567
1613
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
1567
_
_
1567
—
—
1567
1613
1664-5
—
1613
1664-5
—
1613
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
1567
1613
1664-5
—
1613
1664-5
—
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
_
1664-5
1567
— ,
—
— .
1664-5
1567
1613
—
—
—
1664-5
—
1613
1664-5
—
1613
1664 5
CHAP. XVI.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
337
Gilibrand o£ Ramsgreve
Girlington of Thurland
Goodlaw of AspuU
Gorsuch of Gorsuch
Greenhalgh of Brandlesholme...
Gregory of HigUhurst
Grimshaw of Catterall
Grimshaw of Clayton —
Halsall of Halsall 1533
Halsall of Melling —
HaiTington of Huyton —
Hartley of Strangeways — ■
Hawarden of Appleton —
Hawarden of Widnes —
Hawarden of Wolston —
Haydock of Cottom —
Haye of Chorlton —
Heaton of Heaton 1533
Hendley of Hendley —
Hesketh of Aughton — •
Hesketh of North Meols —
Hesketh of Poulton —
Hesketh of Preston —
Hesketh of Rufford 1533
Heyrick of Manchester —
Hey wood of Hey wood —
Heywood of Walton-on-the-Hill ... —
Hilton of Millwood —
Hodgkinaou of Preston —
Hoghton of Park Hall —
Holcroft of Holcroft 1533
Holden of Holden (?) —
Holland of Clifton 1533
Holland of Denton —
Holland of Heaton
Holland of Sutton
Holt of Ash worth —
Holt of Bridge Hall —
Holt of Grislehurst 1533
Holt of Stubley 1533
Hopwood of Hopwood 1533
Hothersall of Hothersall
Houghton of Houghton
Houghton of Lea 1533
Howorth of Howorth —
Howorth of Thurcroft —
Hulme of Hulme —
Hulton of Farnworth —
Hultonof Hulton 1533
Hulton of Thorpensty —
Hyde of Denton —
Hyde of Hyde —
Hyde of Urmston —
Inoe of Ince —
Ireland of Hutt —
Ireland of Lydiate —
Johnson of Preston —
Kenyon of Peele —
Keurden of Keurden —
Keurden of Preston —
Kighley of Inskip 1533
Kirkby of Kirkby —
Kirkby of Upper Rawolifie —
Knipe of Boughton —
Lacy of Longworth —
Lancaster of Rainhill —
Langley of Agecroft 1 533
Langton of Broughton Tower —
Langtou of Lowe —
Langton of Newton 1533
Langtree of Langtree 1533
Latham of Irlam
Latham of Mosborough —
Lathom of Parbold —
' No trace of tliis
4i
1613
1613
— 1567
— 1613
1567
1567
1567
1567
1613
— 1567
1567
1567
1567
1613
1613
— 1567 1613
1613
1567 —
1567 —
1567 1613
— 1613
1567 —
1567
1567
1613
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1613 —
1567 — 1664-5
1567 1613 1664-5
— — 1664-5
— 1613 1664-5
— — 1664-5
— 1613 —
— — 1664-5
1567 — —
— 1613 —
— — 1664-5
1567 — —
1567 1613 —
— 1613
— 1613
— 1613
1567 1613
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
l.'i67
—
1664-5
. —
—
1664-5
1567
—
—
—
1613
1664-5
1567
—
—
—
—
1664-5
_
1664-5
1567
1613
1664-5
1567
—
—
—
—
1664-5
—
—
1664-5
1567
—
—
1567
—
—
—
1613
1664-5
—
1613
—
—
—
1664-5
Lathom of AVhiston
Lawe of Preston
Legh of Bradley I533
Legh of Bruche —
Leigh of Preston
Leigh of Barton
Leigh of Singleton Grange —
Lemon of Preston
Lever of Little Lever
Lever of Kersall
Leyland of Morleys 1533
Lightbown of MancheBter —
Livesay of Sutton —
Livesey of Livesey ... —
Longworth of Longworth —
Longworth of Upper Rawcliffe ... —
Lowde of Kirkham —
Maghull of Maghull —
Markland of Wigan -
Masoy of Carlton —
Mascy of Layton —
Mascy of Rixton 1533
Maudesley of Leyland —
Maudesley of Maudesley —
Medowcrof t of Smethurst —
Mercer of West Derby
Midleton of Leighton —
Molyneux of Haughton —
Molyneux of Hawkley —
Molyneux of Melling —
Molyneux of New Hall —
Molyneux of Sefton 1533
More of Bankhouse 1533
Morecroft of Ormskirk —
Morley of Winnington —
Mort of Damhouse —
Mort of Preston —
Mosley of Anooats —
Mosley of Hough —
Mossoake of Kenniscough —
My nsh uU of Manchester —
— 1567 1613
1567
1567
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1613 —
1613
1613
1613
1567 1613
1567 —
1567 —
1567 1613
1567 —
— 1613
1613
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1564-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
Nelson of FajTchurst . . .
Newport of Lichfield ' ...
Newsam of Newsamhall
Newton of Newton
Norreys of Middleforth...
Norreys of Speke
Norreys of Tarleton
Norreys of West Derby. . .
Nowell of Great Mearley
Nowell of Little Mearley
Nowell of Reade
Nuthall of Tottington ...
— — — 1664-5
1533
Ogle of Whiston —
Oldham of Manchester —
Orrel of Turton 1533
Osbaldeston of Osbaldeston 1533
Osbaldeston of Sunderland —
Parker of Bradkirke —
Parker of Extwisle —
Parkinson of Falsnape —
Parr of Kempnough —
Patten of Warrington —
Penketh of Penketh — ■
Pennington of Pennington —
Pennington of Wigan —
Pigot of Preston —
Pleasington of Dimples —
Porter of Lancaster
Preston of Holker
Preston of the Manor (Furness)
Preston of Preston
Preston of Preston-Patrick
Prestwich of Hulme
Prestwich of Prestwich 1533
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1567
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1613 1664-5
— 1664-5
1613
1613
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
— 1664-5
— 1664-5
1613 —
1813
1567 1613
— — 1613
— 1567
1613
1613
1613
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
is famUy is found in any of the other Visitations of tanoashire,— C,
338
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XVI.
Radcliffe of Manchester — — 1613
Radoliffe of Ordsall 1533 1567 —
Radcliffe of Radcliffe — —
Radcliffe of Todmorden — — —
Radoliffe of Wimerley — l&e/ 1613
Ratcliffe of Leigh —
Rawhnson of Carke — — —
Reddish of Reddish 1533 1567 —
Ridge of Manchester
Rigbyof Burgh - - lbl3
Rigby of Hareoke - 1567 161u 1664-5
Rigby of Layton — — — 1664-b
Rigby of Middletou
RigbyofWigan - - 1613
Rigmaiden of Wedacre — ^.lO'
RLshton of Dunishope — —
Rishton of Ponthalghe — — —
Rishton of Rishton 1533 — —
Risley of Risley —
Rixton of Sankey — 1567 —
Robinson of Buckshaw-iu-Euxton . — — —
Rogerley of Park Hall in Blackrod. — — 1613
Rosthorn of New Hall — — —
Rushton of Antley — —
Rushton of Dunkenhalgh — 1567 1613
Rushton of Sparth — — 1613
Ryley of the Green — 1567 —
Sale of Hope Carr — — —
Sandford of High Ashes & Nuthurst — — —
Sandys of Gray thwaite — — —
Sawrey of Plumpton — — —
Soarisbriek of Bickerstaffe 1533 — —
Scarisbriok of Scarisbrick — 1567 —
Schofield of Schofleld — 1567 —
Sclater of Light Oaks — — —
Sharpies of Freckleton — — —
Sharpies of Sharpies — 1567 —
Sharrock of Walton — — —
Shaw of BuUoghe — — —
Shaw of Heath Charnock '. — — —
Shaw of Heyside — — —
Shaw of Preston — — —
Shaw of Shaw Place — — —
Sherbourne of Little Mitton — — —
Sherbourne of Ribbleton — — 1613
Sherbourne of Stonyhurst — 1567 1613
Sherbourne of Twisleton — — —
Sherbourne of Wolfhouse — — —
Shuttleworth of Asterley — — —
Shuttleworth of Bedford — — —
Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe — 1567 —
Shakerley of Shakerley 1533 1567 —
Singleton of Brockhall — 1567 1613
Singleton of Steyniug — — —
Skillicorne of Preece — 1567 —
Sorocold of Barton — — —
Southworth of Samlesbury 1533 1567 —
Spencer of Ashton Hall — — —
Standish of Burgh — — 1613
Standish of Duxbury 1533 1567 1613
Standish of Standish 1533 1567 —
Standish of West Derby — — —
Stanley of Bickerstaffe — — 1613
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
_ _ 1664-5
— 1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-6
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
1664-5
Stanley of Broughton — — — 1664-5
Stanley of Grosshall 1533 1567 — 1664-5
Stanley Earl of Derby 1533 — — 1664-5
Stanley of Eocleston — — — 1664-5
Stanley of Hornby Castle — — — 1654-5
Stanley of Moor Hall — — — 1664-5
Starkie of Aughton — — — 1664-5
Starkie of Huntroyde — — — 1664-5
Strangeways of Strangeways — — 1613 —
Talbot of Carr _ _ — 1664-5
Talbot of Salebury 1533 1567 — 1664-5
Tarbock of Tarbock 1533 1567 — —
Tatlock of Cunscough — — — 1664-5
Tetlow of Werneth — — 1613 —
Thornton of Thornton — — 1613 —
Townley of Barnside — — — 1664-5
Townley of Dutton _ _ _ 1664-5
Townley of Hurstwood — — — 1664-5
Townley of Oakenhead — — — 1664-5
Townley of Royle — — 1613 1664-5
Townley of Stinehedge _ _ _ 1664-5
Townley of Townley 1533 — 1613 1664-5
TongeofTonge _ _ _ 1664-5
Trafford of Trafford 1533 1567 1613 1664-5
Tracers of Nateby — — 1613 —
Tyldesley of Garret — — — 16-i4-5
Tyldesley of Morleys — 1567 — 1664-5
Tyldesley of Wardley — 1567 1613 —
Urmston of West Leigh 1583 1567 — 1664-5
Valentine of Bentcliffe — — — 1664-5
Veale of Methop — — 1613 —
Veale of Whinneyheys — — — 1664-5
Wadsworth of Hayton '. — — — 1664-5
Wall of Preston — 1567 — 1664-5
Walmsley of Banister — — — 1664-5
Walmsley of Caldootes ; _ _ _ 1664-5
Walmsley of Dunkenhalgh — — 1613 1664-5
Walmsley of Showley — — — 1664-5
Walton of Walton _ _ _ 1664-5
Watmough of Myclehead — — 1613 —
West of Berwick _ _ _ 1664-5
AVestby of Mowbreck — 1567 — —
Westby of Myerscough — — — 1664-5
Westby of Rawcliffe _ _ _ 1664-5
Westby of Westby : — — 1613 —
Whalley, Abbey of (Founder) 1533 — — —
Whittacre of Whittacre — 1567 — —
Whittingham of Whittingham — 1567 1613 1664-5
Winkley of Winkley — — 1613 —
Winkley of Preston — — — 1664-5
WoodofTurton — — 1613 1664-5
Woodward of Shevington — — — 1664-5
Woolfall of Woolfall __ _ _ 1664-5
Worsley of Booths 1533 1567 — 1664-5
Worsley of Piatt _ _ _ 1664-5
Worsley of Worsley Mains — — 1613 —
Worthington of Blainscough .' — 1567 — 1664-5
Worthington of Croshawe — — 1613 1664-5
Worthington of Sbevington — — — 1664-5
Worthington of Worthington — — 1613 1664-5
Of the principal nobility and gentry of the county we shall have to treat in the respective
hundreds; but the following list, extracted from a MS. in the author's possession, collated with
Blore's List, published in 1673, forms a useful and compendious catalogue for more general
reference : —
FAMILIiE LANCASTRIENSES,
Or, ti List of the Nobility and Gentry in the County Palatine of Lancaster, from the time of Henry
HI., from Original Records and the MSS. of Sir John Byron, Sir Qeorge Booth, Mr. John
Orthography preserved of ioth Persons and Places.
Abraham of Abraham
Adlington of Adlington
Allen of Rosshall
Allen of Broughton
Ambrose of Lowick
Ambrose of Ambrose Hall
Anderton of Lostock
Anderton of Birohley
Anderton of Anderton
Anderton of Euxton, Clayton,
Andrews of Little Lever
Appleton of Appleton
Ash aw of Hethe Charnock
Ashfield of Ashfield
Ashurst of Ashurst
VIL to the Accession of William
JSopJcinson, and others, with the
Aspden of Aspden
Ashton of Ashton-under-Lyne
Ashton of Middleton
Ashton of Chatterton
Ashton of Shepley
CHAP. XVI.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
339
Ashton of Penketh
Ashton of Lever
Ashton of Downham
Ashton of Kuerdeu
Ashton of Croston
Ashton of Littlewood
Ashton of Preston
Ashton of Whalley
Ashton of Ribblebank
Ashton of Bromforlong
Ashton of Ashton
Astley of Stakes
Atherton of Atherton
Athertou of Bickerstaff
Atherton of Grantley
AtheiiMn of Norbie
Aughton of Aughton Meales
Aynesworth of Aynesworth
Aynesworth of Plessington
Balderstone of Balderstone
Bamford of Bamford
Bamford of Maudsley
Banister of Altham
Banister of Preston
Banister of Bank Hall
Banister of Park Hill
Banister of Walton
Eankes of Winstanley
Barcrof t of Barcroft
Bardsey of Bardsey
Barlow of Barlow
Barnes of Bold
Barton of Barton
Barton of Smithells
Barton of Barton Row
Barton of Middleton
Beaconshaw of Beaconshaw
Beck of Manchester
Beconsall of Beconsall
Belfield of Clegg
Bellingham of Bellingham
BiUing of Billing
Bindlosa of Borwick
Birch of Birch Hall
Birch of Ordshall
Birket of Birket
Birtwistle of Huncoats
Bispham of Bispham
Blackbome of Blackborne
Blackborne of Wisewall
Blundell of Ince Blundell
Blundell of Preston
Blundell of Crosby
Bold of Bold
Booth of Barton
Booth of Booth
Booth of Salford
Bootle of Lathom
Botteswell of Huncote
Brabine of Docker
Brache of Brache
Braddill of Portfield
Bradley of Brining
Bradley of Bethone
Bradshaigh of Haigh
Bradshaw of Bradshaw
Bradshaw of AspuU and
Pennington
Bradshaw of Darcy Lever
Bradshaw of Hope and Pendle-
ton
Bradshaw of Presall and Skale
Bratterhough of Bratterhough
Breares of Walton
Bretarghe of Bretarghe
Bridgeman of Leaver
Brookhole of Brockhole
Brockhole of Claughton
Brook of Norton
Brotherton of Hay or Hey
Broughton of Broughtou
Browne of Ribbleton
Browne of Brinesop
Buckley of Buckley
Bushell of Kuerden
Butler of Rawolifif
Butler of Bewsey
Butler of Laytou and
Hakensall
Butler of Kirkland
Butterworth of Bellfleld
Byrom of Byrom
Byrume of Byrome
Byrome of Manchester
Byrome of Salford
Byron of Clayton
Calvert of Cockerham
Canstteld of Causfield
Carus of Halton
Case of Huyton
Catherall of Catherall
Catherall of Crook
Catherall of Mitton
Chaddocke of Chaddocke
Chadwick of Chadwick
Chadwick of Heely
Charnoek of Holcote
Charnock of Charnoek
Chatterton of Chatterton
Chatterton of Nuthurst
Cheetham of Cheetham
Cheetham of Turton Tower
Chetham of Nuthurst
Chetham of Smedley
Childway of Sal[es]bury
Chisnall of Chisnall
Chorley of Chorley
Chorley of Preston
Chorley of Rainhill
Clayton of Crooke
Clayton of Fullwood
Clayton of Little Harwood
Clayton of Lentworth
Clayton of Clayton
Clifton of Westby
Clitherowe of Sal[es]bury
Cole of Bolton
Cooper of Carnford
Crofts of Clayton
Crombache of Clerk Hill
Crompton of Oldham
Cross of Cross Hall
Cross of Liverpool
Cudworth of Wornetli
Culcheth of Abram
Culcheth of Culcheth
Cunliffe of Cunlifife, Holliugs,
and Wycollar
Dalton of Dalton
Dalton of Thornham
Daniel of Wigan
Deane of Blackborne
Denton of Denton
Dewhirst of Alston
Dickinson of Eccleston
Ditchfield of Ditton
Ditton of Ditton
Dodding of Conishead
Downes of Wardley
Duckenfield of Hinley
Duxbury of Deane
Dyneley of Downham
Eaton of Eaton
Eccleston of Eccleston
Eccleston of Eccleston, near
Preston
Egerton of Shaw
Elston of Elston
Eltonhead of Eltonhead
Entwistle of Entwistle and
Foxholes
Eyres of Fishwick
Farrington of Weardon
Farrington of Farrington
Farrington of Halton Grange
Farrington of Ribbleton
Fauloonberg of Yarom
Fazakerley of Fazakerley
Fazakerley of Kirkby
Fazakerley of Wearden
Fitton of Great Harwood
Fitton of Rufford
Fleetwood of Penwortham
Fleetwood of Plumpton
Fleetwood, another descent
Fleetwood, another descent
Fleetwood of Rossall
Fleming of Croston
Forth of Swindley
Foxcroft of Foxcroft
French of Preston
Fyffe of Wedacre
Garside of Garside, Oaken-
head, and Rochdale
Gerard of Brynne
Gerard of Ince
Gerard of Helagh, Bromley
Gerard, another descent
Gerard of Brandon
Gerard of Halsall
Gillibrand of Peel
Gillibrand of Romesgi-ave
Gillibrand of Chorley
Girles of Prestwich
Girlington of Thurgoland
Castle
Goodlowe of Ashpool
Gorsach of Gorsach
Greenakers of Rede and
Worst(jn
Greenhalgh of Brandlesome
Greenhalgh of Greenhalgh
Gregory of Manchester
Gresley of Manchester
Greston of Greston
Grimshaw of Grimshaw and
Clayton
Habergham of Habergham
Hacking of Hacking
Halsall of Bickerstaff, Halsall,
and Melling
Halsted of Banck House
Harrington of Hornby Castle
Harrington of Huyton
Harrington of Westby, Black-
rode, &c.
Harrison of Aldcliffe
Hartley of Chorlton and
Strangeways
Hawardeu of Fennystrete
Hawarden of Appleton
Haworth of Havvorth
Haworth of Parkhead, &c
Haye of Monkhall and Chorl-
ton Hall
Hay ton of Hay ton
Helme of Gosnarghe
Hesketh of Hesketh
Hesketh, another descent
Hesketh of Aughton
Hesketh of Whye Hill and
Heslington
Hesketh of Poolton and
Maynes
Hesketh of Meales
Hesketh of Rufford Hall
Heyricke of Manchester
Heysham of Highfield
Heyworth of Heyworth
Hilton of Hilton
Hilton of Milwood
Hilton of Farnworth
Hodgkinson of Preston
Hoghton of Lea
Holcrof t of Hurst
Holcroft of Holcroft
Holden of'Holden
Holden of Shageley
Holland of Litherlaud, Eccles-
ton, and Swineshead
Holland of Denton, Clifton
Holland of Sutton
Holland of Sutton, another
descent
Holland of Hale
Holme of Urmston
Holt of Stubley
Holt of Grislehurst
Holt of Bridgehall
Holt of Ashworth
Hopwood of Hopwood
Hothersall of Hothersall
Houghton of Houghton Tower
Houghton of Pendleton
Houghton of Park Hall
Houghton of Grimsargh
Houghton of Entwistle
Huddlestone of Huddlestone
Hulme of Hulme
Hulton of Hulton
Hurlston of Hurlston
Hutton of Thorpinstye
Hyde of Hyde and Urmston
Hyde of Denton
Hyndley of Hyndley
luce of Ince
Ireland of Hutt and Hale
Ireland of Lydgate
Johnson of Preston
Kenion of Peel
Kenyon of Kenyon
Kighley of Inskip
Kirkby of Kirkby
Kirkby of Upper Rawcliffe
Elirkby of Crosshall
Kirkby of Mowbrecke
Kitchen of North Meales
Knipe of Broughton
Kuerdeu of Kuerden
Kuerden of Walton
Lacy of Langworth
Lancaster of Lancaster
Lancaster of Rainhill
Langford of Hough
Langley of Edgecroft
Langley of Ayrescroft
Langton, Baron of Newton
Langton of Lowe
Langton of Broughton
Langton of Walton
Langtree of Langtree
Lathome of Lathome
Lathome of Parbold
Lathome of Wiston
Lathome of Irlam
Laurence of Ashton
Lea of Lea
Leigh of Barton
Leigh of Bradley
Leigh of Brush
Leigh of Walton, Bothomes
and Preston
Leigh of Singleton
Leigh of Oughterington
Lemmon of Preston
Lever of Great Lever
Lever of Alkrington
Lever of Kersal
Leyland of Morley
Lightboone of Manchester
Linch of Warrington
Livesey of Livesey
Livesey of Sutton
Louguevillers of Hornby Castle ,
340
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. xyi.
Longwortli of Upper Raw-
cliff
Lovel of Halewood
Lowde of Kirkham
Lowe of Preston
MaghuU of MaghuU
Markland of Wigan
Markland of the Meadows
Masoa of Clitherow
Massey of Rixtou
Massey of Carlston
Maudsley of Maudsley
Meadowcroft of Smethurst
Meales of Meales
Melson of Fairhurst, &o.
Melton of Melling
Mercer of West Derby
Mereland of Mereland
Merton of Melling
Middleton of Leighton
MinshuU of Manchester
Mitton of Mitton
Molyneaux of Sephton
Molyneaux of Thornton
Molyueaux of Thornton, &o.
Molyneaux of Rainhill and
Hawksley
Molyneaux of Wimberley
Molyneaux of Thorpe
Molyneaux of Combsoough
Molyneaux of Shipton
Molyneiux of Larbrick, &c.
Molyueaux of Kirton
Molyneaux of Crosby and
Woodhouse
Molyneaux of New Hall
Montbegon of Hornby Castle
Moore or More of Bank Hall
More of Leverpoole
Morecroft of Ormeskirk
Morley of Morley
Morley of Wennington
Mort of Highfield, Dapilton,
and Damhouse
Mort of Preston
Moseley of Hough-end
Moseley of Manchester, An-
cotes, and Garrett
Mosley of Holme
Mossoake of Kenniscough
Mowbrick of Mowbrick
Nelson of Maudsley
Netby of Netby
Neville of Hornby Castle
Newaome of Newsome
Newton of Newton
Newton of Lancaster
Norris of Sutton and Speke
Norris of Tarleton and
Middleforth
Norris of Davy Hulme
Nowell of Rede
Nuthall of Nuthall
Nuthall of Tottington
Ogle of Whiston
Ogle of Prescot
Oidham of Oldham
Oldham of Manchester
Ormeston of Ormeston
Ormrode of Ormrode
Orrill of Orrill
Orrill of Turton
Osbaldiston of Osbaldiston
Osbaldiston of Sunderland
Parker, Lord Morley and
Monteagle, Hornby Castle
Pai ker of Bradkirk
Parker of Entwistle
Parker of Bromlowe [? Brows-
holme]
Parker of Holland
Parr of Kempnough and
Cleworth
Patten of Warrington
Pemberton of Pemberton
Penketh of Penketh
] Penninaton of Wigan
Pigot of Preston
Pilkington of Pilkington
Pilkington of Rivington
Plessington of Plessington
Plessington of Pelingford
Porter of Lancaster
Preston of Preston
Preston of Holker
Preston of Manner
Prestwich of Prestwich
Pudaey of Bolton
Radcliffof Ordaall
Radoliff of Radcliff
KadclifF of Radcliff, another
descent
Radoliff of Radcliff, another
descent
Radoliff of Chatterton
Radcliff of Todmorden
Radcliff of Leigh
Radcliff of Wimberley
Ratcliff of Edgworth
Rawliuson of Greenhead,
Tottlebank, and Carke
Rawstorne of Newhall
Reddish of Reddish
Redman of Gressingham
Ridge of Marple and Ridge
Rigby of Harrock
Rigby of Middleton
Rigby of Layton and Burgh
Rigby of Huncote
Rigby of Rigby
Rigmaden of Rigmaden
Riley of the Green
Rishton of Ponthalghe
Rishton of Antley
Rishton of Dunkenhalghe
Rishton of Rishton
Rishton of Dunnishopp
Risley of Risley
Rixton of Rixton
Robinson of Preston, &c.
Sal[es]bury of Sal[es]bury
Sale of Hop Carr
Samlesbury of Samlesbury
Sandford of Nuthurst
Sandys of Graythwaite
Sankey of Sankey
Sawrey of Plumpton
Soaresbreck of Soaresbreck
Solater of Light Oakes
Scillycorn of Scillycorn
Scolefleld of Scolefield
Shackerley of Shackerley
Sharpies of Sharpies
Sharpies of Frickleton
Sharrock of Walton
Shaw of BuU-haghe
Shaw of Heath Charnock
Shaw of Shaw Place
Shaw of Preston
Shaw of Hey Side
Sherborne of Sherborne
Sherborne of Stannihurst
Sherborne of Wolf House
Sherborne of Ribbleton
Sherborne of Mitton
Sherborne of Twistleton
Sherrington of Sherrington
Shuttleworth of Hacking
Shuttleworth of Gawthorpe
Shuttleworth of Asteley
Shuttleworth of Bedford
Shuttleworth of Shuttleworth
Shuttleworth of Larbricke
Singleton of Singleton
Singleton of Staning
Singleton of Browcow
Slater of Light Oakes
Smith of Cuerdley
Smyth of Peel House
Sorocold of Barton
Southworth of Samlesbury
Spencer of Ashtou Hall
Standish of Standish
Standish of Duxbury
Standish of Burghe
Stanley Earls of Derby
Stanley of Hornby Castle
Stanley of Stanley
Stanley of Moor Hall
Stanley of Bickerstaffe
Stanley of Crosshall
Stanley of Broughton
Stanley of Holt and Tatton
Stanley of Eccleston
Starkey of Barthington
Starkey of Huntroyd
Starkey of Aughton
Starkey of Pendle Hall
Strangeways of Strangeways
Sutton of Rixton
Talbot of Dinckley
Talbot of Sal[es]bury
Talbot of Carr
Tetlow of Cunscough
Tetlow of Oldham
Tildsley of Tildsley, Wardlcy
Tildsley of Garret
Tildsley of Moreleys
Tong of Tong
Torbeck of Torbeck
Townley of Townley
Townley of Barnside
Townley of Carr
Townley of Royle
Townley of Oakenhead
Townley of Stonedge
Townley of Ditton
Townley of Littleton
Townleys of Hirstwood
Trafford of Trafford
Trafford of Chatterton
Travers of Neatby
Tunstall of Thurlaud Castle
Tunstall of Bolton
Turton of Turton •
Valentine of Bentcliff
Veale of Winneyleys
Urmston of West Leigh
Ursewick of Lancaster
Wadsworth of Hayton
Wall of Preston and Morehall
Wall of Preston and Chingle
Hall
Walmsley of Showley
Walmsley of Caldcotes
Walmsley of Banister Hall
Walmsley of Dunkenhalgh
Walton of Walton
Watmough of Micklenhead
West of Berwick
Westby of Mirescough
Westby of Rawclitte
Westby of Mowbreck
Whittacre of Simonstone
Whittingham of Whittingham
Winckley of Winokley
Winckley of Preston
Winstanley of Winstanley
Wood of Turton
Woodward of Shevingtou
Woolfall of Woolfall
Woolfall of Aughton
Woolton of Woolton
Woraley of Worsley and
Booths
Worsley of Manchester
Worthington of Worthington
Worthington of Blainsco
Worthington of Crawshaw
Worthington of Shevington
Wrightington of Wrightington
The following additional names of the gentry of Lancashire have not in our manuscript copy the residences, though they have
the arms annexed : Agard, Antringham, Apleisdon, Arrowsmith, Arbrech, Ball, Bayne, Bellowe, Bewick, Bethone, Bolton, Bozone,
Broughton, Brindleshaw, Brough, Bushoppe, Byron, Chantrell, Curwen, Dalton, Dansey [Dauntesey], Delamere, Delafield, Dennets,
English, Fleming, Fitzwarren, Fitzwilliams, Forward, Frickleton, Garnet, Gentel, Gawen, Goldsworth, Greenham, Grassam, Halliwell,
Hawksted, Haydock, Heyton, Hodgson, Ipress, Ireball, Kendall, Kesvi'ick, Kirstow, Linaores, Linsey, Magnyll, Mildmore, Morris,
Mouthall, Norvans, North, Norwood, Ormesby, Peeford, Peyton, Pickering, Plumpton, Prent, Ransford, Rawsthorne, Sands, Sanupe,
Scales, Smith, Strickland, Tapaler, Thompson, Thoruborough, Thwaytes, Tipping, Travers, Twyford, Verdun, Weld, Werdon,
Windaore, Wright.
The following names of persons connected with the county palatine are taken from Mr.
Thompson Cooper's "New Biographical Dictionarj^" (1873), which contains concise notices of
eminent persons of all ages and countries, and more particularly of distinguished natives of Great
Britain and Ireland. The list, it should be added, is by no means complete, the names of many
eminent Lancashire men being omitted, Of the literati of the county a very complete dictionary,
with biographical and bibliographical notes, Avill be found in the admirable " List of Lancashire
Authors," edited for the Manchester Literary Club by Mr. Chas. W. Sutton. Mr. Thompson
Cooper's list briefly specifies dates and places of birth when given : —
CHAP. XVI.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE,
341
Ainsworth Robert, lexicographer, 1660-1743 ; Eocles.
Alanson Edward, eminent surgeon, 1747-1823 ; Newton.
Allen William, cardinal, 1532-1594 ; born in Lancashire.
Almon John, c. 1738-1805 ; Liverpool.
Ambrose Isaac, 1604-1664 ; born in Lancashire.
Andrews Robert ; born in Lancashire (?).
Annett Petei-, said to be born at Liverpool ; died 1778.
Arkwright Sir Richard, 1732-1792 ; Preston.
Arrowsmith Edward, Jesuit, c. 1586-1628 ; Haydock, Winwick.
Ashe John, chaplain to Lady Sarah Houghton, 1672-1734.
Ashton Thomas, D.D., 1716-1775 ; Lancaster (?).
Ashworth Caleb, D.D., 1722-1775 ; born in Lancashire.
Askew jEgeon, born in Lancashire about 1576.
Assheton Nicholas, 1590-1625.
Assheton WilUam, D.D., 1641-1711 ; Middieton.
Birch Peter, D.D., ob. 1710 ; born in Lancashire.
Boardman Andrew, D.D.
Bolton Samuel, D.D., 1606-1654 ; Manchester.
Booker John, 1601-1667 ; Manchester.
Booth Barton, 1681-1733 ; born in Lancashire.
Bostock John, M.D., 1774-1846 ; Liverpool.
Bowles John, bp., — 1637 ; born in Lancashire.
Bradford John, martyr, 1510-1555 ; Manchester.
Brandreth Joseph, M.D., — 1815 ; Ormskirk.
Bridgeman Sir Orlando, 1674.
Brierley Roger, — 1637 ; born near Rochdale.
Briggs John, poet, 1788-1824 ; born near Cartmel.
Byrom John, poet, 1691-1763 ; Kersal.
Carter Oliver, B.D,, fellow of Manchester Coll. Church, — 1605.
Carter Peter, born in Lancashire.
Chaderton Lawrence, D.D., c. "1537-1 640 ; Chadderton.
Chaderton William, bishop, — 1608 ; Manchester.
Chamberlaine Robert, poet, c. 1607 ; born in Lancashire.
Chisenhale Edward, colonel for Charles I., author ; born in Lan-
cashire.
Christopherson John, bishop, — 1558 ; Ulverston.
Clarke Henry, LL.l)., 1745-1818 ; Salford.
Clowes John, 1743-1831 ; Manchester.
Cogan Thomas, M.D., — 1607 ; Master Manchester Grammar
School.
Cort Henry, 1740-1800 ; Lancaster.
Cottam Thomas, Jesuit, — 1582 ; born in Lancashire.
Crabtree Henry, curate of Tudmorden, author, c. — 1685.
Crabtree William, astronomer, 1610-1644 ; born at Broughton,
Manchester.
Dalton John, D.C.L., philosopher, 1766-1844 ; livedat Manchester
Dee John, LL.D., 1527-1608 ; warden of Manchester.
De Quincey Thomas, 1785-1859 ; Manchester.
Dodd Charles, 1672-1743 ; born near Preston.
Dodd Thomas, printseller in Manchester, 1771-1850.
Evanson Edward, 1731-1805 ; Warrington.
Falkner Thomas, 1710-1784 ; Manchester.
Fleetwood William, — 1594 ; born in Lancasliire.
Foster Henry, 1797-1831 ; Wood Plumpton.
Frankland Thomas, 1633-1690 ; born in Lancashire.
Gooden Peter, — 1695 ; born near Manchester.
Greswell Edward, D.D., 1797-1869 ; Manchester.
Harland John, author, 1806-1868 ; lived in Manchester.
Harwood Edward, D.D , 1729-1794 ; born in Lancashire.
Hemans Mrs. Felicia, poetess, 1794-1835 ; Liverpool.
Henry William, M.D., 1774-1836 ; Manchester.
Heywood Oliver, 1629-1677 ; Bolton.
Holden George, vicar of MaghuU, 1783-1865.
Henry Henry, D.D., 1596-1665 ; born in Lancashire.
Horrox Jeremiah, astronomer, 1619-1641 ; born at Toxteth.
Huddleston John, priest, 1608-1698 ; born in Lancashire.
Huddleston Richard, priest, 1583-1655 ; born in Lancashire.
Hutton Matthew, archbishop, 1529-1606 ; Warton.
Jones Thomas, archbishop, — 1619 ; born in Lancashire.
Kemble John Philip, actor, 1757-1823 ; Presoot.
Leigh Charles, M.D., author ; Grange.
Leland John, D.D,, 1691-1766 ; Wigan.
Lever Sir Ashton, — 1788 ; born near Manchester.
Macdonald Archibald, monk at Liverpool, — 1814.
iMarkland J. H., author, 1788-1864 ; Manchester.
Markland Jeremiah, 1693-1776 ; Childwall.
Neville Edmund, Jesuit, — 1648 ; born in Lancashire.
Neville Edward, Jesuit, died 1709 ; born in Lancashire.
Nightingale Joseph, 1775-1824 ; Chowbent.
Nowell Alexander, c. 1507-1602 ; Read Hall.
Ogden Samuel, D.D., 1716-1778 ; Manchester.
Peel Sir Robert, 1750-1830 ; born in Lancashire.
Peel Sir Robert, 1788-1850 ; born in Lincashire.
Percival Thomas, M.D,, 1740-1804 ; Warrington.
Pilkington James, bishop, 1520-1576 ; born near Bolton.
Rawlinson Christopher, 1677-1733 ; born in Lancashire,
Richmond Legh, 1772-1827 ; Liverpool.
Rock Daniel, D.D,, 1799-1871 ; Liverpool.
Romney George, 1734-1802 ; Dalton.
Roscoe Henry, 1800-1836 ; Liverpool.
Roscoe Thomas, 1791-1871 ; Liverpool.
Roscoe William, 1753-1831 ; Liverpool.
Rushton Edward, priest, — 1586 ; born in Lancashire.
Sanderson John, D.D., — 1602 ; born in Lancashire.
Sandys Edwin, bishop and archbishop, 1519-1588 ; born in Lan-
cashire,
Sharpies Henry, D.D., R.C. bishop Lancashire district, — 1850.
Shuttleworth P. N., bishop, 1782-1841 ; Kirkham.
Smyth William, bishop, c. 1450-1514 ; Prescot.
Speed John, c. 1555-1629 ; Farrington.
Stubbs George, 1724-1806 ; Liverpool.
Taylor John, D.D., 1694-1761 ; born in Lancashire.
Towers Richard, 1781-1844 ; Preston.
Townley Charles, 1737-1782 ; Townley.
Travis George, — 1797 ; Royton.
Tunstall James, D.D., vicar of Rochdale, v. 1710-1772.
Turner William, D.D., 1800-1872 ; Prestos.
Wakefield Gilbert, 1756-1801 ; lived at Warrington.
Walker Thomas, 1784-1836 ; Manchester.
Walmsley Charles, D.D., 1722-1797 ; born near Wigan.
Warburton John, 1682-1759 ; Bury.
Weever John, c. 1576-1632 ; born in Lancashire.
Wensleydale James Parke, Lord, 1782-1868 ; Highfield, near
Liverpool.
Whewell WiUiam, D.D., 1794-1866 ; Lancaster.
Whitaker John, 1735-1808 ; Manchester.
Whitaker Thomas Dunham, vicar of Whalley, 1759-1821.
Whitaker William, D.D., 1548:1595 ; Holme, Burnley.
Wilson Anthony, 1750 — ; Wigan.
Worthington John, 1618-1671 ; Manchester.
The following particulars respecting the heraldry of the twenty-eight incorporate towns of
Lancashire are contained in a paper contributed by Miss Fishwick to the Palatine Note Book}
The chief aim in the choice of charges it will be seen has been either to represent the ancient
families, the local industries, the public buildings, or to make an heraldic pun on the name. Three
of the towns, Ashton-under-Lyne, Bolton, and Warrington, have assumed arms to which they
have no legitimate claim. The local authorities, when they were incorporated, instead of following
the usual legal course of petitioning for a grant of armorial ensigns, took upon_ themselves to
manufacture the pseudo-heraldic insignia which appear on the common seals of their corporations,
and which are displayed in many other ways in defiance of the laws of heraldry and of good taste.
Many of the Lancashire towns received seals at a very early date, some of which afterwards
received arms, and others retain their seals only. Among the former are Liverpool, Clitheroe,
and Wigan ; amongst the latter, Garstang, Kirkham, and Newton. If these towns ever received
arms they have fallen into disuse.
1 Palaline Note Book, v. ii. pp. 118-120.— C.
342
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XVI.
1. WlQAN. Incorporated a.d. 1100. — AiMxe, the moot hall ;
in the dexter chief a sword erect, all proper.
2. CuTHEROE. Incorporated 1147. — Qvles, the castle and
moat, proper.
3. KiKKHAM. Incorporated 1286. — Seal : a dove, with an
olive branch in its mouth.
4. Lancaster. Incorporated 1461.^ — Gules, a lion passant
gardant or, ou a chief azare, a fleur-de-lis of the second.
5. NBWTON-ii>f-MAKERFiELD. Incorporated 1558. — For the
seal, see Lewis, " Top. Diet." iii. 360. Out of a ducal coronet a
ram's head, holding in the mouth a sprig of laurel (the crest of
the Leghs, lords of Newton).
6. Liverpool. Incorporated 4th July, 1626. — Argent, a cor-
morant- sable, beaked and legged gules, holding a branch of
laver, proper. Motto : Deus nobis haec otia fecit.
7. Garstang. Incorporated 1680. — For the seal, see Lewis,
" Top. Diet." ii. 245, and Fishwiek's " History of Garstang,"
p. 68.
8. Preston. Incorporated 1685. — Azure, a paschal lamb con-
stant with banner, all argent ; round the head a nimbus or ; in
bas, the letters P.P,^ of the second.
9. BoLTON-LE-MooBS. Incorporated 11th October, 1838. —
Gides, two bendlets or.
10. Manchester. Incorporated 23rd October, 1838. — Gules,
three bendlets enhanced or, a chief argent, thereon waves of
the sea and a ship under sail, proper. Motto : Concilio et
labore-
11. Salford. Incorporated 16th April, 1844. — Azure, semde
of bees volant ; a shuttle between three garbs ot-, on a chief
of the last a bale corded, proper, between two mill rinds
sable. Granted 6th November, 1844. Motto: Integrity and
industry.
12. Ashton-dnder-Lyne. Incorporated 29th September,
1847. — Argent, a mullet pierced sable (the ancient family coat of
Assheton of Ashton), a crescent for difference. Motto ; Labor
omnia vincit.
. 13. Warrington. Incorporated 1847. — Argent, six lioucels,
3, 2, and 1, gules (traditionally said to be the coat of the Vilars,
early lords of Warrington). Motto : Dat Deus incrimentum,
14. Oldham. Incorporated 13th June, 1849. — Sable, a
chevron between three owls, proper ; on a chief of the second,
three roses proper, seeded or. Motto : Sapere aude (the arms
and motto of Bishop Oldham).
15. BLACKBnRN. Incorporated 1851. — Argent, a fesse wavy
sable, between three bees volant, proper ; on a chief vert, a bugle
horn, stringed, argent, between three fusils or. Granted 7th
February, 1852. Motto : Arte et labore.
16. Rochdale. Incorporated 9th September, 1856. — Argent,
a woolpack encircled by two branches of the cotton tree flowered
and conjoint, proper; a bordure, sable, charged with eight martlets
of the field. Granted 1857. Motto : Credo signo.
17. Staltbeidge.* Incorporated 5th March, 1857. — Argent,
a chevron ingrailed, gules, between, in chief, two crosses moussue,
and, in base, a mullet, pierced, sable ; two tlasques azu7'e, each
charged with a rose of the field. Granted 18th June, 1857.
Motto : Absque labore nihil.
18. Southport. Incorporated 1861. — Argent, a fesse dancette,
gules, between, in chief, three crosslets &tch6e, sable; and in base
a lifeboat, manned, ou the waves of the sea, proper. Motto :
Salus populi.
19. Bdrnlet. Incorporated 1861. — Or, a chevron engrailed,
gules, between, in chief, two fusils and, in base, a lion rampant,
sable; a chief wavy of the last, thereon a dexter hand erect,
couped at the wrist, argent, between two bees volant of the first.
Granted 17th May, 1862. Motto : Pretium que et causa laboris.
20. Barrow-in-Furness. Incorporated 13th June, 1867. —
Gules, ou a bend or, a bee volant and an arrow flighted, proper,
between, in chief, a snake nowed, and in base a stag tripping, of
the second ; on a chief argent, a steamer on the waves of the sea,
proper. Granted 13th December, 1867. ifoWo .• Semper sersum.
21. St. Helens. Incorporated 5th March, 1868. — Argent,
two bars azure, over all a cross sable; in the first and fourth
quarters a saltire gules ; and in the second and third a grypheu
segreant of the third. Motto : Ex terra lucem.
22. Blackpool. — No arms have been granted to this borough,
but the Corporation have a seal, in which, however, but little of
the spirit of heraldry is displayed. It is divided quarterly : (1)
the pier and promenade, (2) a ship sailing on the sea, (3) the
sands and a bathing van, and (4) a lifeboat manned.
23. Burt. Incorporated 9th September, 1876. — Per cross
quarterly quartered azure and argent : first, argent, an anvil ;
second, azure, a golden fleece ; third, two shuttles crossed ;
fourth, a branch of the Egyptian papyrus — all proper. Granted
28th February, 1877. Mrtto : Vincit omnia iudustria.
24. AccRiNGTON. Incorporated 15th February, 1878. — Gules,
on a fesse argent a shuttle fesswise, proper ; in the base two
printing cylinders, issuant therefrom a piece of calico (parsley
pattern), also proper ; on a chief per pale, or and vert, a lion
rampant perpure and a stag courant or. Granted 26th August,
1879. Motto : Industry and prudence conquer.
25. Over Darwen. — Arms not yet granted.
26. Hetwood. Incorporated 18th February, 1881. — Or, five
pellets between two bendlets engrailed, the whole between as
many mascles sable. Motto : Alte volo.
27. BooTLE-cuM-LiNACEB. Incorporated 1881. — Argent, on a
chevron azure, between tljree fleurs-de-lis sable, three stags' heads
caboshed or, ou a chief sable, three mural crowns, proper. Motto :
Respice, aspice, prospice.
28. Chorley. — Arms not yet granted.
29. Bacup ditto
30. MiDDLETON ditto
31. MossLEY ditto
This county ^ives the title of Duke (or Duchess) of Lancaster to the sovereign ; Manchester
confers the title of duke on the Montagus ; (West) Derby, the title of earl on the Stanleys ; and,
until lately, Warrington, that of earl on the Greys ; the Byrons are barons of Rochdale, and
Winmarleigh confers a barony on the family of Wilson-Patten ; the Duke of Hamilton had a
seat (Ashton Hall) on the. banks of the Lune, the Earl of Ellesmere resides at Worsley, the Earl
of Wilton at Heaton, Lord Petre at Dunkenhalgh, Lord Sufitield at Middleton, and the Duke
of Devonshire at Holker; the Earl of Sefton resides at Croxteth Park, and Earl Balcarres,
Baron of Wigan, at Haigh Hall. The other seats of noble families in Lancashire are, Knowsley
Hall, Earl of Derby ; Lathom House, Lord Skelmersdale ; Childwall Hall, Marquis of Salisbury ;
Holker Hall, Duke of Devonshire ; Bewsey Hall, Lord Lilford ; Worsley Hall, Earl of Ellesmere ;
Witherslack Hall, Lord Stanley of Preston ; Great Lever Hall, Earl of Bradford ; Peel Hall, late
Lord Kenyon ; Ashton-under-Lyne Hall, Earl of Stamford ; Dinkley Hall, Lord Warren de Tabley ;
and Eccles Riggs, Viscount Cross. The Listers derive their title from the vale of one of the
1 Lancaster appears to have been incorporated at a much earlier date
than is here given. The "mayor, baUiffs, and commonalty of the ville
of Lancaster" are mentioned in the charter of 37 Edw. III. (1363-4); and
a^charter was granted by John, Earl of Morton, wliich he confirmed'after
his accession to tlie crown. The arms should be— per fesse asure and
gules, in chief a fleur-de-lis, and in biisc a lion passant gnardant or. The
placing of a chief azare on a field jiafes- colour upon colour— is false
heraldry. — C.
- The bird which is graven ou the corporation seal has been the
subject of much controversy, and variously described as a cormorant a
dove, a shoveller duck, an eagle, and a hypothetical bird, the "liver, "'to
which the name of the town has been traditionally ascribed. The sprig
in its mouth has been interpreted as an olive branch, a branch of laver
or seaweed, and a fleur-de-lis ; but it is now established with tolerable
certamty that it is a rude device of the eagle of St. John, the patron saint
of the king, to whom the town owed its first ch.artered rights. A crest
and supporters, in addition to the arms, were granted in 1797, viz.,
Crest ; A cormorant, the wings elevated, in the beak a branch of laver,
aU proper. Supporters : Dexter, Neptune, with sea-green mantle flow,
Ing, the waist wreathed with laver ; on his head an eastern crown or ;
in his right hand his trident sable, the left supporting a banner of tlie
arms of Liverpool. Sinister, a triton wreathed as the dexter, and blowing
his shell, the right hand supporting a banner, thereon a sliip under sail in
perspective, .all proper ; the banner staves or. — C.
^ The letters P. P. have been variously interpreted. Some facetiously
read them Proud Preston, others pro patria, but the more probable mean-
ing is picture pads, in allusion to the Agnus Dei, or lamb of peace. — G.
* The borough of Stalybridge is partly in Lancashire and partly in
Cheshire.— 0.
OHAP. XVI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 343
principal rivers of the county, but their seat is at Gisburne Park, in Ribblesdale, on the eastern side
of the border, before the Ribble quits Yorkshire.
Before the general history of Lancashire is concluded, it may be proper shortly to advert to
the geographical situation of the county, and to its agriculture and minerals, as well as to its rivers
and other distinguishing characteristics.
The geographical situation of Lancashire is between 53° 20' and 54° 25' north latitude, and
between 2° 0' and 3° 17' west longitude; it is bounded on the north by Cumberland and
Westmorland, on the east by Yorkshire, on the south and south-east by Cheshire, and on the Avest
by the Irish Sea. Its extreme length from N.W. to S.E., including Furness, is 75 miles,
and its greatest breadth 45 miles; its circumference is 294 miles; and its 'surface 1,765
square miles, of which about 1,125 are comprehended in the district south of the Ribble
and 650 to the north of that river. The area of the county comprises 1,219,220 acres
of land, of which about 400,000 are in tillage, 450,000 in pasture, and about 400,000 in
woodlands, moors, and mosses, of which 350,000 acres may be termed waste. It is divided
into the six hundreds of Lonsdale, Amounderness, Blackburn, Leyland, Salford, and West
Derby, and contains 69 parishes (exclusive of nine extra-parochial places), 446 townships,
16 Parliamentary boroughs, and 29 market towns. This county, as has been already seen, is
palatinate, and it is the chief seat of the duchy of Lancaster. Ecclesiastically, it is in the province
of York, and in the dioceses of Manchester, Liverpool, and Carlisle ; and judicially, in the northern
circuit, though of late years it has practically formed a circuit of itself, with assizes held at
Lancaster, at Liverpool, and at Manchester ; and presentments have been made recommending
the formation of Lancashire into a separate circuit.
The whole of the western side of Lancashire extending from the Mersey to the river Duddon
is washed by the Irish Sea, but though maritime the coast-line does not present any of those
features of wild romantic grandeur observable in other parts of the kingdom, where the precipitous
cliffs and rocky promontories projecting into the deep water have been cavern-hollowed and worn
into fantastic forms by the constant beating of the billows. For the most part the ground, which
slopes gently towards the sea, consists of pasture and meadow land, with occasionally a range of
low sandhills, formed by the drifting winds. But if level, the coast is by no means monotonous.
Between the estuary of the Ribble and the outlet of the Wyre, where Blackpool — the Brighton of
the North, as it has been designated — -faces full front to the Irish Sea, the water breaks with
impetuous force upon the beach, the waves oftentimes rolling up to the very edge of the three-mile
esplanade. Further north the aspect is more varied, the picturesquely-irregular shores of
Morecambe Bay, where moor and fell blend pleasantly with the low-lying meadows and pastures
that genius and industry have won back from the sea, presenting many a scene of interest and
beauty ; while beyond, where the limestone ridges that form the stony barrier of the Lake country
stretch away westward from the mountain to the main, the whole extent of sea-margin is more
boldly featured. A noticeable feature of the Lancashire coast is the number of its estuaries.
Thouch not the largest, the most important is that of the Mersey, the southern side of which
belongs to Cheshire. Curiously enough no mention of it is made either by Ptolemy, the Roman
geographer, or in the Itinerary of Antonine ; and as the vestiges of a primeval forest have been
discovered where the tide now flows, the omission gives colour to the suggestion that in Celtic
times the level of the estuary was higher, and the site of Liverpool little else than a swampy
morass, the broad river on which now floats the sea-craft of a hundred nations being then only an
inconsiderable stream. The estuary of the Ribble, where Lytham and Southport confront each
other is by far the largest of these three river outlets, and next in importance is that of the Wyre,
on the edge of which stands the rising town of Fleetwood. The mouth of the Lune, which forms
the port of Lancaster, has, so far as its commerce is concerned, sunlv into comparative insignificance,
and havino- become encumbered by sandbanks, the navigation is considerably impeded ; and the
same ohstructions to commerce exist, in an equal or greater degree, in the broad estuary, where at
ebb of tide the Leven winds its way through the shifting channels of the Ulverston sands.
The eastern side of the county, which borders on Yorkshire, presents a marked contrast m
form and feature, the division line forming a part of the great Pennine range, a mountainous ridge—
the Backbone of England, as it has been called— that stretches northwards from the Peak m
Derbyshire to the Cheviots on the Scottish border. Here nature presents herself m her sternest
ffuise the hills in many places attaining a considerable altitude, and presenting m their ruggedness
much the appearance they did after the last upheavals and convulsions of tlie geological period.
The highest eminence in the chain is Pendle Hill, overlooking the town and casUe ol Clitheroe
where the limestone formation begins, which has an elevation of 1,831 feet; Boulsworth Hill
reaches to the height of 1,700 feet; and the summit of Blackstone Edge, north ^ of Rochdale, is
1 323 feet above the sea level, while Bleasdale Forest has an altitude of 1,709 feet, it is m the
344 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xvi.
Furness district, however, that the highest eminences are to be found, Coniston Old Man, the'
alt maen or high rock, being 2,577 feet, the Seathwaite Fells 2,.)o7 feet, and Brown Pike 2,239 teat
in height. The secondary elevations are Rivington Pike, a few miles north of Bolton, 1,545 feet,
Caton Moor, Padiham Heights, Hambleton Hill, Longridge Fell, Woolfell Cragg, and the Cartmel
and Graygrith Fells. The' other principal heights are Billinge Hill, Cribden Hill, Clough Pike,
Wharton Crag, Winter Hill, Grizedale Fells, Uglaw Pike, and Beacon Hill.
The southernmost part of the county is comparatively flat, the new red sandstone, of which
the surface rock is for the most part composed, occasionally rising into gentle ridges but never
attaining any considerable altitude. Between Liverpool and Manchester the country is almost a
continuous plain, occupied at one time by peat wastes and mosses, that have, however, within the
present century, been to a large extent reclaimed by drainage and cultivation, the most notable of
them being Chat or St. Chad's Moss, with Barton Moss, which is essentially an adjunct, where
Stephenson encountered his greatest difficulties when constructing the original line of railway
between Manchester and Liverpool. Further north the scenery is more varied and picturesque,
the valleys watered by the Ribble and the Lune possessing nearly all the elements of picturesque
landscape in charming combination. The tributary streams which swell the affluents — the Hodder,
the Calder, the Douglas, the Darwen, and the Wenning — as they descend from the higher
moorlands in which they are cradled, pass through a varied country, and exhibit many picturesque
reaches, as yet unspoiled by manufacturing industry ; and even the Irwell, sullen and inky as it is
below Manchester, presents many sylvan features in the wooded dingles about Summerseat and
in the glens nearer its source within the limits of the old forest of Rossendale.
A very large proportion of the county was at one time forest land, and long subsequent to the
granting of the Forest Charter — Carta de Foresta — in the reign of Henry III. (1224), much of the
country was wild woodland, in which the beasts of the chase roamed at will. One of these forests — ■
the Forest of Blackburnshire — included the four chases of Pendle, Rossendale, Aecrington, and
Trawden, and embraced an area estimated at 50,000 acres, or nearly 80 square miles, a district in
which there are places that still retain their primeval features, and in their name-survivals bear
evidence of the nature of their former occupants, as for example in Wolfstones, Wolfenden, Staghills,
Stacksteads (more correctly Stagsteads), Swineshaw, Hogshead, Boarsgreave, and Sowclough.
Manufacturing is, for the most part, confined to the southern half of the county, in which, in
addition to the twin cities of Liverpool and Manchester, there are many populous towns. In the
Fylde country, north-west of Preston, the people are chiefly employed in agiculture, and corn-
growing is carried on upon an extensive scale ; but further north, in the neighbourhood of Lancaster,
and upon the lower slopes of the Bleasdale Moors, the land is for the most part devoted to meadow
and pasture.
Such, in brief, are the natural features of the county, which, if the latest in its formation, has
yet, by the genius, the industry, and the commercial enterprise of its people, contributed perhaps
more than any other to the wealth and the greatness of the common country.
Although the climate of Lancashire is humid the air is generally pure and salubrious. In the
elevated and hilly regions on the north and eastern boundaries it is, of course, cold and piercing,
but in the lower districts, shelving to the south and the west, it is in general mild and genial.
Severe frost is seldom experienced in the low lands of Lancashire for more than a few days ; a
covering of snow is generally soon dissolved by the mildness of the atmosphere, and by the saline
particles wafted by the western winds from the Irish Sea and the Atlantic Ocean. Seed-time and
harvest are as early here as in the neighbouring counties. They vary a little between the north and
the south parts of the county, and are the latek towards the east, contiguous to the high moorlands.
The winds generally veer from S. to N. by the W point ; they are rarely easterly, and those which
most prevail are the S.W. the S. and the W. As to the humidity of the climate, it must be
admitted " that the hills which form the line of separation between Yorkshire and Lancashire arrest
the clouds from the Atlantic Ocean in their progress, causing them to deposit their contents," and
that consequently there is more rain in Lancashire than the general average of the kingdom ; but
the difference is less than is imagined, and it will bo shown that the opinion that Lancashire is the
water-pot of England, and that " it is always raining in Manchester," is a popular error, capable of
refutation from the test of meteorological observation. The average depth of rain which falls
throughout England in the course of a year is about 28 inches. London appears to be subject to
less rain than any other part of the kingdom ; and as we recede from the metropolis, the quantity
of rain is frequently found to increase in about the same proportion, so that in Cornwall it is nearly
the same as in Lancashire, where, in the mountainous districts, an average of nearly 50 inches is
reached, the average for the entire county being about 35 inches. The foUoAving table, which
exhibits the mean monthly and annual quantity of rain, m inches and decimal parts, at various
places, for an average of many years, will serve to correct a general prejudice against the climate
of this county: —
CHAP. XVI.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
345
MEAN MONTHLY AND ANNUAL QUANTITIES OF RAIN AT VARIOUS PLACES, BEING
THE AVERAGES FOR MANY YEARS.
it
as
1^
; to
1^
a o
■3 £
a >,
1 ^
3^
i
Jo
2 S
.2 2
t> o
-*
"2 1=
January . .
February ...
March
April
Inch.
2-SlO
2-568
2098
2-010
2-895
2-502
3-697
3-665
3-281
3-922
3-360
3-832
Inch.
2-177
1-847
1-523
2-104
2-573
2-816
3-663
3-311
3-654
3-724
3-441
3-288
Inch.
2-196
1-652
1-322
2-078
2-118
2-286
3-006
2-435
2-2R9
3-079
2-634
2-569
Inch.
3-461
2-995
1-763
2-180
2-460
2-512
4-140
4-581
3-751
4-151
3-775
3-955
Inch.
5-299
5-126
3-151
2-986
3-480
2-722
4-959
5-039
4-874
5-'l39
4-785
6-084
Inch.
3-095
2-837
2-164
2-017
2-668
2-974
3-256
3-199
4-350
4-143
3174
3-142
Inch.
1-595
1-741
1-184
•979
1-641
1-343
2-303
2-746
1-617
2-297
1-904
1-981
Inch.
1-464
1-250
1-172
1-279
1-636
1-738
2-448
1-807
1-842
2-092
2 222
1-736
r. Inch.
1-228
1-232
1-190
1-185
1-767
1-697
1-800
1-900
1-550
1-7&0
1-720
1-600
F. Inch.
2-477
1-700
1-927
2-686
2-931
2-562
1-882
2 347
4-140
4-741
4-187
2-397
Inch.
2-530
2-295
1-748
1-950
2-407
2-315
3-115
3-103
3-135
3-537
3-120
3-068
June
July
August
September ..
October . . .
November..
December . . .
Year.
36-140
34-121
27-664
39-714
53-944
36-919
21-331
20-686
18-649
33-977 1 32-313
1
As the nature of the soil and the minerals which a county affords depends on the rocks and
beds which underlie them, it is necessary to give a list of the strata, which may be stated in the
following descending order.' The geology of the county may be broadly ranged under these nine
sreat divisions: —
VI.
I. Drifting Deposits.
II. Trias, or New Red Sandstone.
III. Permian Series.
IV. The Coal Measures.
V. Limestone Shale.
Mountain Limestone.
VII. Old Red Sandstone.
VIII. Upper Silurian.
IX. Lower Silurian.-
Under these we now proceed to enumerate the subdivisions, specifying the minerals contained in
each subdivision, with their qualities and uses, and then briefly indicating the nature of the soils
forming the surface of such subdivision.
I. — Drift Deposits.
The four subdivisions of this great upper deposit are —
1. The Valley-Gravel. — This consists of a bed of coarse gravel, composed of various-sized
azoic, paleozoic, and a few triassic rocks, well rounded, parted with layers of fine sand without
pebbles, exhibiting every appearance of having been deposited by water ; most frequently stratified,
but sometimes unstratified. It has generally two well-marked terraces above the level of the
present rivers, as well as some minor terraces. On the top of this deposit are generally found three
to four feet of silty loam. The valley-gravel is about 40 feet in maximum thickness.
Soils, &c. All the rich meadows and pasture-lands in the county are found lying on this
deposit, such as those on the rivers Lune, Ribble, Darwen, Wenning, Wyre, Calder, Brock, Mersey
and Ro'ch, comprehending a very large extent of excellent land.
2 Forest Sand and Gravel. — This is a deposit of sharp forest sand, parted with layers of
travel and the same rocks as are contained in No. 1, and having every appearance of a regular
deposit by water, distinguishable only by its being found at greater elevations, containing more
sand and being generally more regularly stratified. It often contains thm beds of till and loam
lying in it as well as drifted coal. Its maximum thickness is about 90 feet.
Soils &c —All the soil found on the gently rising grounds m the county, reaching generally
to about 800 feet above the level of the sea, and composing the sandy and loamy soils, which form
good pasture and agricultural land.
3 Till or Boulder Clay.— This is a mass of strong brown clay, in which are mingled the
same 'kinds of rock as those contained in Nos. 1 and 2, of sizes from six tons down to small
1 For this admlrahle, clear, and concise summary of the rocks and
beds, their minerals, and the soils above them, I am indebted to the
friendship of an able and eminent geologist, -whom I am not permitted
'""^hTgeology of Lancashire has been very fuUy illustrated and
described bv numerous observers, a list of which, commencing as far
back aftheyeS 1867, oomprisiig no less than 561 books, memoirs,
45
and papers, id given by Messrs. Whitaker and Tiddeman in the
"Geological Survey Memoir on the Burnley Coalfield " (1875). Of the
more modern investigators, special mention should be made of the Rev.
Professor Sedgwick, whose researches extended more particularly to the
country bordering upon the English Lakes ; Professor I'hillips, Professor
Edward HuU, M.A., LL.D., F.E.S., and Mr. E. W, Bmnoy, F.B.S.-C.
346 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xvi.
pebbles — some rounded and partly rounded, and others quite angular, especially coal-measure and
magnesian limestone rocks, without any order of deposition, great and small stones being mixed
tofTether indiscriminately. It is quite impervious to water, and is well known as a valuable brick
clay, and as being the deposit which yields striated or scored stones. Beds of fine laminated silt
and patches of sand are sometimes found in it.
Soils, &G. This deposit comprises the stiff clay soils on which, in the lower districts, are found
thick beds of acid peat. It is also known for its thick beds of excellent brick clay. This deposit
covers the greatest extent of country of any of the drift deposits, and is found from the level of the
sea up to 1,^200 feet above that level in some places, and is very variable in thickness.
4. Lower Gravel.— This is a bed of sand or coarse gravel, having pebbles consisting of the
same kinds of rocks as Nos. 1, 2, and 3, sometimes but not always well rounded, occurring under
the brick clay. It often affords good springs of bright water. Its thickness is about 30 feet.
Soils, &c. — This deposit being seldom exposed at the surface, it affects but little the nature of
the soils of the county.
II.— Trias, or New Red Sandstone.
This division includes the Keuper and the Bunter strata. The Keuper has two great beds —
1. The Red Marls, 3,000 feet in thickness.
Soils, d'O. — When uncovered by drift deposits, this bed forms strong red clay, similar to those
found in Cheshire, and is remarkable for containing brine springs and beds of gypsum. It under-
lies a great extent of country on the west side of the county next the sea, though not exposed to
view, owing to the thick beds of drift by which it is covered.
2. The Lower Keuper, Sandstones and Water Stones. — This lower bed of the Keuper is
about 450 feet in thickness.
Soils, &C. — It is seldom exposed in this county, but it yields beds of building stone.
Bxjnter. — -This has three deposits —
1. The Upper Mottled Sandstone, .500 feet in thickness.
Soils, &c. — It is seldom exposed, but when it does form the soil it affords good warm land, and
is remarkable for containing good springs of water.
2. Pebble Beds, 650 feet in thickness.
Soils, &c. — These seldom afford any good building stone ; but when near the surface, and
imcovered by drift, they yield good, warm, and dry land.
3. Lower Mottled Red Sandstone, 100 feet thick, but often absent. This is seldom exposed
at the surface, and consequently has little influence on the composition of the soil.
III. — Permian Series.
This great series may be classed in six subdivisions: —
1. Laminated and Fine-grained Red Sandstones. — These may be taken as about 300 feet
in thickness.
Soils, (fee. — These do not exercise much influence on the nature of the soils, but m the district
about Furness Abbsy they yield a good durable building stone, of which the abbey is built.
2. Red and Variegated Clays and Marls. — These are also about 300 feet thick, and
contain sometimes, but not always, beds of limestone and gypsum, and bands of sandstone. The
clays and limestones contain fossil shells of the genera Schizodus, Gervillia, &c.
Soils, (fee. — These are seldom exposed at the surface, and consequently have little influence on
the composition of the soils. The beds of limestone afford good Avater-setting limes, such as those
of Bedford and Worsley. Other beds afford good building stone, as at 'Skillaw Clough, lying
north-east of Ormskirk ; and at Stank, in Lower Furness. Sometimes beds of fine white gypsum
are met with in this deposit.
3. Conglomerate or Breccia.— This varies in thickness from one to a hundred feet.
Soils, (fee. — The conglomerate is only exposed at two places in the county, viz., at Cheetham
Weir-hole, near Manchester, and at Rough^m Point, near Flookborough, in the parish of Cartmel,
so that it has no effect on the soils of the county, and does not yield any building stones or useful
minerals.
4. Lower New Red Sandstone. — This is sfenerally soft and incoherent ; its thickness is about
500 feet.
Soils, &c. — It is seldom exposed to the surface, but it is met with at Collyhurst, near
CHAP. XVI. THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE.,
347
Manchester ; at Sutton, near St. Helens; at Grimshaxv Delph, midway between Ormskirk and
Wigan; at Roach Bridge, near Preston; at Cokersand Abbey;'^at Robshaw Point, at the mouth of
the Lune, near Lancaster; and at Rougham Point, near Flookborough. It is well known from its
attordmg most excellent moulding sand, and its yielding good springs of water.
5. Red Shaly Clays. — These are not seen anywhere in the county.
6 ASTLEY Pebble BEDS.-These, although containing the common coal plants, lie quite
unconformable both to the coal measures and lo the Upper Permian series. They are termed the
Lower Permian, and are about 60 feet in thickness.
inki'^a^^^' '^'^'~^^^^^ ^^^^ ^^® °®^®^' exposed at the surface in this county, being only found in
IV. — The Coal Measures.
These may be ranged under three subdivisions : —
1, J '^"rT?^ Upper Coal Measures.— These commence with the red shales and clays, containing
beds ot hmestone, at Ardwick, near Manchester, and terminating with the Bradford four-foot coal
They are about 2,000 feet in thickness.
Minerals, <£-c.— These upper measures afford six beds of coal, which have been wrought at
different places near Manchester, one of which, the lowest, the Pendleton and Bradford four-foot,
is celebrated for its qualities as an iron-puddling and glass-making coal. The limestones, especially
those at Ardwick, are known for their excellent water-setting properties, and (without entering into
speculations as to their use by the Romans here) have been\vorked for the last hundred years.
2. Middle Coal Measures.— These commence with the floor of the Pendleton four-foot, and
terminate with the Riley or Arley Mine, having a thickness of 2,910 feet.
Minerals, &c. — These contain about twenty workable beds of coal, in the upper and middle
parts yielding excellent steam coals, such as those of Denton, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham,
Middleton, Burnley, Heywood, Bury, Clifton, Hulton, Worsley, Tyldesley, Atherton, Leigh, Hindley,
Aspull, Blackrod, Wigan, Ashton-in-Makerfield, Haydock, Pemberton, St. Helens, Bickerstaff, &c.
The lower seams yield good house and caking coals, such as the Black and the Bent mines of
Ashton-under-Lyne and Oldham, and at Burnley, Cliviger, and Little Hulton ; the King, the Smith,
the Yard, and the Arley mines of Wigan, Hindley, Pemberton, St. Helens, and Bickerstaff. They
also yield the cannels of Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Hulton, Worsley, and Wigan.
3. Lower Coal Measures. — These commence with the Arley Mine, and terminate with the
lowest Millstone Grit, and are 3,500 feet in thickness.
Minerals, (Skc. — These lower measures include seven beds of coal, ranging over the greater
part of the elevated parts of the county, and yield good caking and smithy coals, as well as coals
suitable for household purposes. They are met with at Stalybridge, Mossley, Oldham, Rochdale,
Todmorden, Bacup, Cliviger, Colne, Padiham, Accrington, Baxenden, Blackburn, Darwen, Turton,
Horwich, Chorley, Wrightington, Upholland, and Newburgh. Some of the coal floors afford most
excellent fireclays, which are extensively worked ; and some of the most durable building stones
and flag stones of the county are obtained from this group of the coal measures. The beds of shale
on the high lands are known from their being covered by thick deposits of alkaline peat.
V. — Limestone Shale.
This division consists of various shales and grits, and is 2,000 feet in thickness.
Soils, &c. — It results in a surface of cold land, often covered with peat, and seldom containing
minerals suitable for any useful purpose.
VI. — Mountain Limestone.
This well-known series is also 2,000 feet in thickness.
Soils, Minerals, &c. — The mountain limestone forms the highlands in the north-east part of
the county, giving dry pastures. It sometimes affords lead in small quantities, but is chiefly
remarkable in the district of Furness for its containing the valuable deposits of hematite or red
iron ore, which are found in immense masses, occupying valleys and "swallow holes" m the
limestone In some districts this limestone is used as a building stone, and all over the county is
worked for the purpose of being burned into lime, and then used for building or for agricultural
purposes, being well known as the best lime in the county.
VII.— Old Red Sandstone.
Not seen in the county.
348 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap, xvt
VIII. — Upper Silurian.
This division is about 5,000 feet in thickness.
Minerals, <&c. — The Upper Silurian is known from its yielding excellent slates and flag stones,
such as those at Kirkby-Ireleth, and other places, and from its forming the fells of the northern
and eastern parts of the county.
IX. — Lower Silurian.
This geological stratum has a thickness of about 10,000 feet.
Minerals, &c. — The Lower does not occupy so great an extent in this county as the Upper
Silurian, but it affords slates, and in the neighbourhood of Coniston mines of copper.
The above summary gives the various soils, as resulting from the strata and deposits which
underlie them ; but we may place in juxtaposition with this another summary of the surface lands
and soils, which will afford, with a different classification and arrangement, the means of comparison
and contrast, and thus enable the general reader to form a more comprehensive view of the subject
in all its bearings, whether regarded from a geological or an agricultural point of view. Lancashire
naturally divides itself into two distinctly-marked tracts of land : —
1. The High Mountainous or Moory Tract ; and
2. The Low Level or Flat Tract.
The former exhibits a sort of crescent boundary to the north, east, and south; and the latter
spreads out westward to the shores of the Irish Sea." These great divisions may be subdivided,
in the view of cultivation, according to their different qualities, thus : —
I. The Hilly and High Moory or Heathy Division.
II. The Steep Fell or High Furnesa Division.
III. The Elevated Craggy Limestone Division.
IV. The Valley Land Division.
V. The Mersey or Southern Division.
VI. The Kibble and Fylde Division.
VII. The Lime and Flat Limestone Division.
VIII. The Low Furnesa Division.
IX. The Moss or Peaty Division.
The First of these subdivisions comprehends the mountainous ridges which rise in succession from the S.fe. boundary to Roch-
dale, and end in the high felly track above Leek, and the N.E. border to the Yorkshire limits. The Second comprehends the Furness
and Cartmel Fells. The Third extends from Warton and Tealand to Silverdale. The Fourth includes the various valleys formed
by the different ranges of hills in the two first divisions, and the valleys on the Lune, Ribble, D.\rwen, Wenning, Wyre, Calder, and
Brock, comprehending a great quantity of land of excellent quality. The Fifth or Mersey subdivision comprises a rich and fertile
tract of flattish land from the northern bank of the Mersey to the southern bank of the Ribble in one direction, and from the sea-
coast to considerably above the town of Oldham in the other. The Sixth contains a tract of land less extensive, but little inferior
in quality, stietching from the north bank of the Ribble to the south border of the Lune in one line, and from Lytham and
Bispham to near Ingle white in another. It is of stronger quality than the other, and on the sea-coast of an alluvial nature. The
Seventh commences on the north bank of the Lune, and runs in a narrow tract from Sunderland Point to the northern extremity of
the county, by Warton and Yealand. The Eighth subdivision comprises » small point of land on the north side of the Sands,
bounded on both sides by the sea-coast, which is usually called Low Furness. The Ninth comprehends the different peat and boggy
tracts called Mosses, which are to be found in each of the two grand divisions of the county, but are by far the largest and of the
greatest depth m the flat land division. Chat Moss, Pilling Moss, Marton Moss, Farington Moss, and Halsall Moss, are the principal
tracts of peat in the county.
The lands that are included under the first four subdivisions are in a great measure employed as pasture, the more high and
mountamous tracts being chiefly occupied by sheep, while the various declivities and valleys in which they terminate form the
fL^^^^^^ feedmg grounds for neat cattle as well as sheep. In the neighbourhood of Rochdale, Haslingden, Bolton, and Chorley,
the high moory lands afford pasture for cattle and horses as well as for sheep ; and in some parts of this extensive range the
common and even the mountain lands have undergone considerable improvements. Trade has made them valuable, and an increasing
population has afforded the means of enriching the soil. The next four subdivisions (Nos. V.-VIII.) are commonly managed under
a sort of mixed cultivation, but grass land is much the most prevalent, especially in the vicinity of towns. Northward, the dairy
IS frequently the principal object ; but in low situations tillage husbandry prevails to a considerable extent. The Fylde, the Lune,
and the Low 1< urness districts form the principal grain-tracts of the county, though in each of these there are large portions of land
under grass, tor pasturage and hay. The mossy or peaty tracts form a characteristic of the county of Lancaster.'-^ When properly
drained, this land yields good crops of potatoes, and will produce both grass and grain to remunerate the cultivator, under a proper
system ot drainage and improvement. The sandy marsh-land on the borders of the sea in Lonsdale is capable of being made fine
land by embankment, but ages have passed away without this land having been applied to any valuable purpose of vegetable produc-
tion. Ihe sou m the more elevated parts of the hills of Lancashire is in general moory, heathy, and rocky. The lower portions ot
ine sides ot the hills and the valleys formed by them, are commonly somewhat of the nature of holme. The flat tracts that spread
bein°°found''inall ^ *^^" "''^ '''"^^'' °^ *^^ '°*™^' °'^^®^' '"' ^"""''"^ description ; gravelly, and mossy or peaty portions,
The principal 3«»/acc distinctions of soil are Heath, Moor, Holme, Loam, Clay, Sand, and Moss or Peat ; and the under strata
or substances on which they are deposited are rock of various kinds, as grit or freestone, bluestone or whinstone, and limestone,
tossiJ, coal, clay marl gravel, and sand. The freestone substrata are of three kinds— yellow, white, and red rock. The blue rocky
stratum prevails m the f e 1 tracts of Furness and Cartmel, the light limestone substratum at Chipping and Longridge Fell, and
the dark-coloured at Duddon, Coniston, and Hawkshead. Clay and marl, both separately and mixed, frequently form the subsoil
m the nat tracts ; and gravel and sand are generally met with as the subsoil in low and flat tracts. The whole space between the
2 Tio.!!°m'„.„„ ■ i < . ! J , . . foil which In the black is at its height The grey is ha' der and more
tlninntwi i^tn ^,°t J S, f ""orf* boggy earth, and are dia- ponderous than tlie white; the black more bituminous than either.
whH^ mnL^»„ „ ' ^''^' fit ^}'^^' '■■°ni the <jolour of the turf. The Square pieces of these mosses are cut out in the shape of bricks, and
Tf Ch? Xn?. "T'f ^T °^ '*"' '''=',™«. '■'"ds, flowers, stalks, and roots being laid iu the sun to dry, are called turf [turves] and used for fuel. -
ol herbs, plants and shrubs, acQumulated through a succession of aees. Kin^s Vale Royal, v- 11.
The grey consists of the same substances, in a higher state of putreiac-
CHAP. XVI.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
349
Mersey and the Ribble, and between the sea-ooast and the first risings o£ the high hills to the east, is a rich loamy and sandy soil
This IS the finest district in the county, both for situation and quality of land. The air is mild and warm, and the soil is in general
deep, rich, and productive. In proceeding to the south-east, where the county commences, opposite Stockport by Manchester then
turning to the left by Pendleton, Worsley, Leigh, Newton, Ashton, Up-HoUand, Orostou, and Longton, to Peuwortham on the banks
of the Bibble to the north-west, and returning thence above Walton-le-Dale, by Chorley, Little Bolton, Bury, Rochdale Rovton
Oldham, and Ashtou-under-Lyne ; the land included in this range is in general of the stiffish loamy kind. Below Manchester and
at Middletou it is often mixed with sand. Between Manchester and Worsley, in one or two places very strong ; it is also stiff about
Hulton, Chowbent, and Leigh, and all the way to near Newton. At Newton it is rendered lighter by the intermixture of a small
portion of sandy matter of a darkish colour. To the west of Haydock Lodge there is a small tract that has almost the tenacity of
clay. About Ashton, and from thence to Bolton and to Wigan, in the whole breadth to the Ribble, it is commonly a moderate
loam, in some places of a peaty nature, in others much mixed with vegetable matter of a dark appearance. Close round Croston it
is rich alluvial sandy loam ; but approaching Penwortham it has almost the stiffness of clay, particularly in Hutton. Above Bolton
there is in some places a good strong loam on the red rock bottom. From Bolton to Manchester, in most of the breadth, it is
commonly a good strong loam, in several places deep and rich, especially near the borders of the rivers. It is thinner about Bury,
as it rises to the hills. The tract which extends from the great road by Warrington, Liverpool, and Ormskirk to the mouth of
the river Douglas at Hesketh Bank, and from the banks of the Mersey and Irish Sea to the line of division just noticed, is a range
of land that has great fertihty, being for the most part a sandy vegetable loam of considerable depth. The little space that lies
between the rivers Irwell and Mersey below Manchester is quite of this quality, rich, and often of a very black colour. The same
soil is particularly conspicuous about Warrington, St. Helens, and all round Ormskirk. Above Winwick it is a stronger loam, with
less vegetable matter, and continues of the same quality in a great measure nearly from Warrington by Prescot and Knowsley,
till within a short distance of Liverpool, where it becomes much intermixed with reddish fine sand, which indeed almost forms the
whole soil in some places ; towards the borders of the Mersey it frequently presents the rich black appearance. At AUerton and
Great Woolton it is mixed with sand, and the red rock sometimes appears so near the surface as to be broken by the plough. In
the tract to the north of Liverpool, on both sides the great road, the soil is mostly a still stronger and stifler loam, but in many
parts much mixed, and of a dark colour. It is nearly the same quality tiU it approaches Ormskirk. As it advances towards the
coast, it becomes of a much more sandy quality, and there are small spaces almost wholly of this nature. In this tract, white sand
on clay with marl bottom is the most common substratum ; the rock seldom appears. This fine extensive range of land, which,
from the nature of the soil, is obviously suited to the production of almost every sort of vegetable, is in general under a sort of
combined system of grass, grain, and horticultural crops. In all the range of laud for some distance from the banks of the river
Mersey, extending from the great road near Stockport by Warrington, considerably beyond the town of Liverpool, potatoes and a
few other crops are raised in the horticultural method, along with grain and seed grass. About Stretford, and many parts of the
parish of Flixton, this is the chief management, but the fields of grain are not numerous, and the crops of turnips few. It prevails
still more near Warrington, and at Woolton, AUerton, Garston, and other places in the parish of Childwall. It is met with in
Kirkdale, and other parts of the parish of Walton, but with less grain and fewer green crops. The same system is likewise noticeable
about Ormskirk, to the west of Oldham, and in many parts of the parish of Middleton, particularly towards Manchester on the
east side of the district. The same method prevails in the middle portion of the district, as about Wigan, Prescot, Leigh, &c. ;
patches of turnips, or other sorts of green vegetables, are in these places rarely met with. All the sorts of grain are occasionally
grown in these parts, but oats and wheat are the most prevalent. Barley is, however, frequently met with on the coast. The rich
grain-land called the Fylde consists of clayey loam and alluvial soil. It commences on the north bank of the Ribble, and stretches
out to the south bank of the Luue, and from the sea-coast to the foot of the mountainous ridges towards the east. The soil here,
though of a more stiff and adhesive quality, is in general good, and capable of affording abundant crops under suitable drainage and
proper management. The top earthy layer of soil in the whole of this tract may with propriety be denominated a strong loam, more
or less of the clayey kind, according to the nature of the situation and other circumstances. Southward from Preston the soil is a
good moderate clayey loam, readily broken down into a proper state. But northward of Preston, and east of that place, in the
direction of Ribbleton, Goosnargh, above Barton, by Claughton, and by Ashton, Lea, Salwick, Catford, above Sowerby, and Myers-
cough, it is of a stronger quality. Near Lancaster the surface layer gets more of a friable nature, and approaches to the state of a
strong pure loam, being much mixed with clay. In a great part of the fine valley that extends nearly to Glasson Point, the soil is of
a deep, rich, alluvial quality, much mixed with black mould. The land to the west, stretching out to the southern border of the
estuary formed by the Lune, is of the rich loamy clay kind, becoming alluvial as it advances towards the banks of the rivers, and
principally in a state of grass.
In the northern part of the county the soil is principally of the dry, friable, and limestone kind, and divided by the sands into
two parts. The first of these tracts begins on the northern border of the Lune, and stretches out from it, and that of the estuary,
at its mouth near Sunderland Point, to the extreme boundary at Herring Skye ; the crag at Dalton and Leighton Beck, beyond
Yealand, spreading out from the sea-coast in all the distance to the hilly ranges of moorland beyond Halton, Kellets, Capern-Wray,
Bonvick, and Priest-Hutton. The second tract commences at the point near Rampside on the coast, and extends to above the towns
of Dalton and Ulverston, rounding out to the sea in both directions. This is the tract of Low Furness, and has the islands of
Walney, Old Barrow, and a few others of very small dimensions, belonging to it. There is a small portion of land of this description
extending from Allithwaite to Flookborough, and bounded by the sea in its whole course. This soil is generally rather thin. The
best tracts are those just above Lancaster, including the neck of land frequently termed the Little Fylde, and that of Low Furness.
In ail these different portions of ground, where the limestone under-stratum lies at no depth below the surface, there is commonly,
when in grass, a fine close sward, that shows the limit of the limestone with great exactness.
This general description of the soil of Lancashire, drawn from the surveys of the Agricultural
Society, will naturally be subject to many exceptions; but, as a whole, it maybe presumed to be
sufficiently accurate to convey an outline of the face of the county, and to indicate its agricultural
capacities. It is a fact in husbandry worthy of remark, that the first potatoes raised in England
were grown in this county, and it is still famous for producing and cookmg that valuable root.
A very large area is in pasturage, and dairy farming, consequent upon the large and yearly
increasing population in the manufacturing towns, is carried on upon an extensive scale. The
following table gives a classification of the holdings according to size m 1875 and 1880:—
Years.
1875
1880
60 Acres and under.
No.
18,210
17,423
Area.
299,109
286,009
50 to 100 Acres.
No. Area.
2,873 202,169
3,027 219,412
100 to 300 Acres.
No.
1,468
1,552
Area.
225,184
235,174
300 to 600 Acres.
No. Area.
74 26,828
104 31,555
500 to 1,000
Acres.
No.
12
13
Area.
8,070
8,532
Above 1,000
Acres.
No.
1
1
Area.
2,195
2,726
Total
No. Area.
22,638 764,005
22,170 783,40S
350 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xvi.
According to the agricultural returns for the year ending June, 1886, the total area of land in
the county under cultivation was 817,334 acres, a percentage of 67-7, as against one of 60 in 1870.
The area under corn crops was 102,846 acres; under green crops, 58,909; rotation grasses, 74,230;
and permanent pasture, 579,109 — more than two-thirds of the whole under cultivation. Only 2,235
acres were fallow. The quantity of live stock in the county when the return was made in 1803,
on the alarm of French invasion, was 648 oxen, 84,527 cows, 54,573 colts and young cattle, 80,772
sheep and goats, 30,982 pigs, 5,474 saddle horses, and 26,660 draught horses.' The agricultural
returns for 1886 show that in that year the number of cattle was 242,053. They were chiefly polled
Suffolks, red Yorkshires, and Leicesters. The total number of horses was 36,649. Sheep numbered
298,611, Pigs numbered 42,822.
According to the return made in 1872-3 the county was divided among 88,735 proprietors,
possessing in all 1,011,769 acres, with an annual value of £13,878,277. Of the owners, 76,177, or
87 per cent, possessed less than one acre each, and the average value, including minerals,_ was
£13 14s. 4d. per acre. Nineteen proprietors owned upwards of 5,000 acres, the largest proprietor
being the Earl of Derby, who possessed 47,269 acres, with a rental of £156,735. Among the other
chief landowners are the Trustees of the Duke of Bridgewater, the Duke of Devonshire, the
Marquis de Costeja, the Earl of Stamford, the Earl of Wilton, Lord Lilford, and Lord Skelmersdale.
This county is rich in minerals, and particularly in that combustible mineral which of all
others is the most important to a manufacturing community. The geology of this porti n of the
kingdom is also interesting.
The western side of the county of Lancaster, bordering on the Irish Channel, from the mouth
of the river Mersey at Liverpool to the mouth of the Lune, near Lancaster, is covered for several
miles inland with meadows and marshy land, and presents nothing on the surface that is
particularly deserving the attention of the geologist or mineralogist. Between Liverpool and
Preston may be seen, on the sands at low-water, the roots and trunks of trees, the remains of
ancient forests ; these extend also inland, under the surface of the country, nearly on a level with
the present low-water-mark. " Perhaps a probable explanation of the occurrence of subterranean
or submarine forests on the coasts of our island below the level of the sea at high-water might be
given by admitting the former action of a mighty deluge, sweeping over the surface, tearing up
the trees in its course, and floating them to the coasts, intermixed with sand and mud. Few
counties in England present more decisive proofs of the action of such a deluge than the county
of Lancaster. Masses of stone, some of considerable size, are scattered over many parts of its
surface, or buried at a small depth beneath it, imbedded in clay ; and these stones consist of
granite, sienite, and other primary rocks, though no rocks of a similar kind are to be seen in
situations nearer than in North Wales on one side, or Westmorland or Cumberland on the other,
ana some of the stones appear to belong to rocks still more remote, in the mountains of Scotland.
These stones are generally more or less rounded by attrition, and have evidently been transported
from a great distance to the places where they are now found.
No county in England is more distinguished than Lancashire for its ancient forests.^ Exclusive
of the subterranean forest, which probably, before the Roman invasion of Britain, served as the
margin for our principal rivers, and the line of coast on the west side of the county, we have to the
north-east the forests of Wyresdale, Lonsdale, Quernmore, Bleasdale, Lancaster, Bowland, Pendle,
Trawden, Accrington, and Rossendale ; in the centre of the county the forests of Amounderness
and Fulwood; and in the south-west those of Derbyshire (or Derby Hundred), Sj^monswood,
Croxteth,_and Toxteth. The north-eastern forests still retain much of the character that belonged
to thera in the time of King John ; but in the centre and south-western part of the county,
civilisation and refinement have taken from the ancient forests not only their primitive wildness
but have almost deprived them of their name.
It remains only to notice the extent of mineral and other products as obtained in recent years.
And first as to coal, one of the main sources of the manufacturing greatness of Lancashire. The
coalfield, overlying the millstone grit, and forming the uppermost member of the carboniferous series,
extends over a very large portion of the southern and eastern parts of the county, the greatest
length being from Burnley in the north to Ashton-under-Lyne in the south — a distance of more
than twenty miles— and from Oldham in the east to St. Helens in the west, about twenty-seven
1 The cattle plague rendered it impossible to give a reliable return of at the Mersey, opposite Everton. The parishes of Penwortham, Much
the number of live stock in Lancashire. Hoole, Eufford, Halsal, Altoar, and part of Walton, stand upon this
• '^Vea-^^g of this forest, Mr. Greenough, the president of the Geolo- forest : taking the line pretty nearly of the Lancaster canal to Crowlane,
gical Society, in Ills Geological Map of England, dated November, 1819, it extends to St. Micliael's, and from theuco keeps the-canal-line to Lan-
says, There la a subterranean forest extendinj,' all the way along the caster, and, including the west side of the Lune, continues along the
coast, from the Ribble at Penwortham, near Preston, to the Mersey at Kendal road to Warton ; at Cartmel it appears again, and extends into
Liverpool The inner line of this forest takes in Longton Moss and Mucli Furness in that neighbourhood, for a distance, say three or four miles,
Hoole, crosses the Douglas, continues to Eufford, in a direct line to and a little of it is seen between Miliit horpe and the Smds."
Ormskirk, comes nc;jr to Moiling, passes to Litherland, and terminates » See chap. vii.
CHAP. XVI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 351
miles. But within this area are two large outliers of millstone grit, which separate the north or
Burnley district from the main coalfield of Wigan and Manchester, presenting a barren area that
is about compensated for by the coal measures that extend along the eastern borders of Cheshire
by way of Stockport, Norbury, Poynton, and Hurdsfield. The thickness of the measure is very
great, and as the ground is much broken by faults, and the beds dip at a high angle, the workings
have extended a greater depth than in any other district, the deepest pits being at Rose Bridge,
near Wigan, which have been sunk to a depth of 815 yards, and at Dukinfield, on the edge of
Cheshire, where the workings of the Astley Pit have been sunk 672 yards, and the coals have been
wrought to a depth of 772 yards by inclines. The greatest thickness is observed in the Manchester
district, where the total section, according to Professor Hull, is as follows : —
TT Pr,^l MooQiirBo ( LimestoD 6 Series 600ft. Lower Coal Measures, I Black Mine to Roy ley Mine .. . 897ft.
upper "-oai i«ied.urei, 1 rj,^ Qpgjjg^^^ ^gj^j ggg^^.^ Gaunister, 1,370ft. ( Boyley Mine to Rough Rock. . 1,370ft.
AOl-ltt. ( To Yard coal 485ft.
MiHHlP Coal Measures Barren measures 1,678ft. Millstone grit 2,000ft.
Middle ^oaljaeasures, 1 ^^^^^^^ g^^^^^ _ Limestone shale, about 2,000ft.
4,^*/H. I gp^ ]yj;jjg ^g gjj^^jj^ jyjjjg 2,000ft.
The thickness of the workable seams (exceeding 2ft.) is said to be 100ft., the coal being chiefly
situated in the 3,000ft. forming the bottom of the middle and top of the lower measures. In the
Wigan district there are eighteen workable seams — about 6.5ft. in all — the total section being : —
Upper Measures, barren... 1,500ft. | Middle Measures, mass seams... 2,550ft. | Ganniater Measures... 1,800ft.
In the Burnley district the lower and middle coal measures together are from 2,500ft. to 3,000ft.
in thickness, the upper measures being unrepresented. The rate of increase in the quantity "got"
is very great, as will be seen, when we state that the quantity of coal raised in 1852 was 8,225,000
tons. Mr. Edward Hull, in his " Coal-fields of Great Britain," estimated the quantity of coal raised
in 1857 in Lancashire at 8,565,500 tons ;^ while Mr. Robert Hunt, F.R.S., in the " Memoirs of the
Geological Survey of Great Britain," gives the total produce of coal in Lancashire in ]865 as
11,962,000 tons. This enormous amount is thus stated in the book named (p. 95.) : —
No. of Collieries.
North and East, or Manchester District, Mr. Joseph Dickenson, Inspector 249
Western District, Mr. Peter Higson, Inspector 93
Number of Collieries (including a much larger number of Pits) in Lancashire 342
Coal Raised and Sold.
Tons.
North and East District K'srnnnn
■Western District (including cannel coal) 5,650,000
Total coal produce of Lancashire 11,962,000
In 1865, the production of cannel coal in Lancashire' was 650,000 tons, out of a total
production in England of 946,175 tons. In the same year the total produce of coal m the United
Kingdom was 98,150,587 tons, so that Lancashire produced considerably more than one-eighth of
the whole production of the United Kingdom. As to the distribution of Lancashire coal by railway,
the London and North Western Railway carried in 1865 from the coal-fields of Lancashire 3 440,778
tons ■ and the Manchester, Sheffield, and Lincolnshire Railway received and forwarded 685,789 tons.
The shipments of Lancashire coal from the ports of Liverpool, Chester, Runcorn, Preston
Fleetwood, and Lancaster, in 1865, were, coastwise 462,472 tons, and to foreign countries 6o0,.d29
tons. The quantity of coal raised in 1871 was 13,851,000 tons. According to the official mineral
statistics the output for the years 1873, 1874, and 1875 was—
^ 1873 1874. 1875.
Tons. Tons. Tons.
^L^ir^--"'!.:::-:-:::;:;::::::-:;.:: S5 :::::::.: KS ::::::::: SS^
For several years the amount raised has exceeded 18,000,000 tons, and in 1880_ it _ reached
19120 294 tons of which 9,519,858 tons were obtained from thenorth and east districts, and
9 600 436 tons from the we^t district. The amount of coal earned from the county is about
11 000 000 tons, of which about 7,000,000 tons are shipped.
'. In .'The Coal-fields of Great Britain." by. Edward Hull M.A Jh^.-l-^tj^Yion^T^looto'o t^^^^ t^Ttol^^rul
(London, 1861), the following general summaiy is pven of the extent of future prod»enon ^^^^^^^..^^ .^^jj^^^ ^1^^ ^„^1 ^it^in a vertical depth of
the Lancashire coal-fields and the quantity of availab e coal ■- foOO feet This coal-field contains (1857) 390 coUienes-m Lancashire
ISneT Tons'ofTor/s. SM;m Cheshire 31, the latter producing 55^^^^
XT 'f°°%%fr" ' ^KgM™irrfeBi;Thrk^straneIsWreo7 Manchester strict pro-
1. Area of the main coal-field ....;. 19^ • • ^. '^^ ^^^^^^ j » jgjg jgO.OOO tons of cannel, and 11 collieries m the West Lanca-
2. Area of the Manchester coal-ne
3. Area of the Burnley coal-field
1. Area of the main coal-field i»^ • • =i 'J' , , j • jgjg 120,000 tons of cannel, and 11 collieries m the West L,a
2. Area of the J«'»^c,l^^^^^f°^Vrf 20 '.' 272 shire or Wigan district produced in that year 630,000 tons of cannel
217 4,012
352
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XVI
In the report of the Royal Commission on coal, founded upon investigations made in the years
1866-71, the probable aggregate yield of all the seams of the Lancashire and Cheshire coal-field,
above one foot thick, was stated to be, within 4,000 feet, .5,546,000,000 tons; below 4,000 feet,
90,000,000 tons. At the present time the available coal supply is estimated at 5,150,000,000 tons.
The carboniferous limestone of North Lancashire is the repository of the valuable hematite
iron ore, which occurs in fissures of the rock, or filling large " pockets " or caverns that
appear to have been previously channels of underground waters. The iron obtained from
this ore is the best suited for the manufacture of Bessemer, and its working has, within the
last thirty years, given rise to a thriving industry in this part of the county. In the neigh-
bourhood of Ulverston, in the district of Furness, there were, in the year 1865, no fewer than
twenty mines of the red iron ore, or hematite, the produce of which in that year is officially
stated, in the " Memoirs of the Geological Survey of Great Britain " (p. 65), as amounting in
quantity to 607,439 tons, the money value of which was £303,719. As to the distribution of these
ores in 1865, there were shipped at Barrow (which place, as a consequence of the working of the
mines and the traffic in ores, has rapidly grown from a mere village to a large and flourishing
town), 181,767 tons; sent via Ulverston, 172,880 tons; to Hindpool furnaces, 249,344 tons; to
Duddon furnaces, 350 tons; shipped at the Ulverston Canal, 3,089 tons; total, 607,439 tons.
There were carried in that year, by the North-Eastern Railway, to the Newcastle-on-Tyne district.
11,370 tons; to the Darlington district 11,708 tons ; to the Stockton-on-Tees district, 9,365 tons;
to Hull, 23 tons ; total 32,407 tons. In Lancashire, in 1865, there were six ironworks, having
twenty-four furnaces (16^ in blast), which produced 204,925 tons of pig-iron. These works are the
Barrow Hematite, worked by a limited company ; the Newland and the Backbarrow, worked by
Messrs. Harrison, Ainslie, and Company ; the Kirkless Hall, by the Wigan Coal and Iron Company
Limited ; the Furness, by the Furness Iron and Steel Company Limited ; and the Carnforth
Ironworks. The four furnaces at Newland and Backbarrow, all using charcoal, were only partially
worked. The iron ore produced in three half years, 1866 and 1867, in the Furness district was — ■
First Half Year
1866.
Second Half Tear
1866.
Krst Half Tear
1867.
Tons.
353,334
Tons.
330,440
Tons.
316,400
Say exported — by sea
83,651
113,254
78,122
68,572
57,608
58,467
Total sent away
Say consumed in district
196,905
146,694
116,075
156,429
183,746
200,325
At Hodbarrow, on the Cumberland side, of and under the Duddon, 131,542 tons were produced.
The quantity of ore raised in the Furness district had increased in 1871 to 931,048 tons, and in
1880 it reached 1,188,543 tons. There is a mine of native oxide of iron at Warton, near Carnforth,
from which, in 1880, 189 tons were raised ; lead ore and zinc ore are being explored for between
Clitheroe and Chatburn ; and rock-salt at Preesal, near Fleetwood.
The produce of the one (Coniston) copper-mine in Lancashire, in 1865, was 1,796 tons of ore,
value £12,175 , making 161 tons 12 cwt. of fine copper, value £15,226 ; but the total quantity of
ore raised in 1880 was only 442 tons.
The Whitewells mine, near Clitheroe, produces some lead, but how much does not appear from
the return. _ In 1866, Mr. Hunt states, it produced 250 tons of lead ore, containing 750 oz. of
silver. Of iron pyrites, or sulphur ores, the quantity (coal brasses) produced in Lancashire in 1865
is estimated at 2,750 tons, value £1,100; in 1879 the quantity raised was 2,000 tons, valued
at £900.
Mr. Robert Hunt's " Mineral Statistics for 1865," of course, contains no return or estimate of
the productionof building and flag stones, or of the ordinary clay ; but there are various districts
in the county in which are large quarries of freestone and flagstone, the quantity raised in 1880
being 2,404 tons. A fine blue slate is obtained in Furness, and as much as 2,973 tons of hydraulic
limestone was, in 1880, dug out of the Ardwick mine, near Manchester.
In 1859 Mr. E. W. Binney, P.R.S , &c,, read before the Manchester Literary and Philosophical Society a paper, entitled '' A Few
Remarks on the Building Stones used in Manchester," the statements in which are just as true now as when first made. After,
pointing out the different duration of building stone in a pure air and dry climate, and in the moist climate of Manchester, in the
atmosphere of which about 40,000 tons of sulphur are yearly burnt in the coal consumed in the city, to say nothing of the gases
given off by the numerous chemical manufactories, and the exhalations from half a million of human beings, Mr. Binney says : " It
CHAP. XVI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 3,53
may be safely concluded that no quantity of good building stone, suitable for outside building in Manchester, or any Hlce place, can
be procured from the middle coal-field." He adds that " the lower coal-field and the millstone grit yield the only good building stones
for Manchester. These strata comprise the beds lying under the Arley or Riley seam of coal and the limestone shale, and from
their being generally found on the high land of the district are known by the name of ' High Moor Stone.' " " As a general rule,
the more pure silica the rock is composed of, the better building stone it is. A mixture of mica or clay causes the rock to be more
schistose or flaggy, as well as softer." In his enumeration of stones and flags, Mr. Binney names the upper flag of Uphollanrl,
Catlow, and Holy Fold (lying between the Arley and Riley coals) and the lower flag of Bradshaw and Shawforfch, near Rochdale,
lying under the rough rock ami above the upper millstone grit. These flag-beds yield the stone generally used for parpoint work.
A fine sharp-grained silioious grit is found sometimes above the Gannister coal, as at Ending Common, near Rochdale, which makes a
good building stone. A stone much used in building is the Halliwell, Woodhead Hill, or Lomax Wood rock, lying immediately
under the Salts or best coal of New Mills. The rough rock, generally known as Summit and High Moor Stone (the upper millstone
of the Geological Survey), a stone much used in building, is of a coarser grain than the stones previously mentioned. It is composed
of grains and rounded pebbles of translucent quartz, cemented together with partly-decomposed feldspar and a little iron and man-
ganese in the state of oxide. It is soft when first quarried, and works pretty freely, hardening when exposed to the air As a
building stone it is preferred, owing to its woi4cing much easier than the two millstones. Parbold, Horwich, Holcombe Hill, Black-
stone Edge, and Werneth Lowe, are good examples of this stone. The upper millstone of Holcombe, Bank Lane, Todmorden,
Saddleworth, and Tintwisle is a hard and durable sandstone, composed chiefly of silici. It is much harder to work than the rough
rock, and stands the weather better ; but it is not in great use, owing to its being difficult to work. The lower millstone, as seen at
Roecross and Rhodes Wood, Tintwisle, and the lower part of Peudle Hill, contains some excellent building stones ; but they are hard
to work, and therefore they have not been much used. It is, no doubt, one of the strongest and most durable stones of the series.
In the lower parts of it are some beds of fine-grained sandstone, freer to work than the upper beds. A most excellent bed of this
description is found at Bailey, near Ribchester." Finally, Mr, Binney observes that, looking at the facilities afforded by railways,
it might have been expected that some of the beautiful syenite of Shap, containing large crystals of feldspar, or the grey syenite of
Bootle and Ravenglass, would have been used for building in Manchester ; but he knows of none. ^ The soft freestones of the
coal-measures are in general use, because cheap and easily worked ; but durability ought always to be regarded by owners and
architects rather than cheapness.
The Millstone Grit, or lowest sandstone of the coal-measures, in which workable coal is scarcely
ever found, extends from the northern edge of the southern coal-field between Colne and Blackburn,
and stretches northward towards Hornby, separating the northern from the Southern Lancashire
coal-fields. This stratum forms a tract of mountainous moorland, in which are found Pendle Hill,
Padiham Heights, Rivington Pike, Longridge Eell, Billinge Hill, and several other hills of
considerable elevation. A small extent of the millstone grit, as before-mentioned, rises in the
midst of the southern coal-field, and a lead-mine was formerly worked in it at Anlesargh. Here
was first discovered a then unknown mineral substance, which was ascertained by Dr. Withering to
be the carbonate of barytes. This mineral was for a long time supposed to be peculiar to Anlesargh,
but it has since been found in the Yorkshire and Shropshire lead-mines, associated with the ores
of lead. The millstone grit in this part of Lancashire covers the metalliferous limestone, and the
latter comes to the surface at the bottom of Pendle Hill, and in some other parts of this tract.
The district north of the river Lune, between Lancaster and Kirkby Lonsdale, and from the
latter place along the boundary of the county to Lancaster Sands, has the metalliferous limestone for
its immediate substratum. It is .this stratum which, in Yorkshire, Derbyshire, North Wales, and
Durham furnishes a large quantity of lead-ore, but no veins of this mineral have been discovered, or
at least &re worked in the metalliferous limestone of Lancashire. In most parts of our island where
the lunestone abounds, as in Yorkshire and Derbyshire, it is characterised by the occurrence of
larffe caverns within it, and there is a remarkable subterranean openmg of this kind called Donald
Mill Hole about seven miles north-east of Lancaster, near the road to Kirkby Lonsdale. A small
tract of country, south of Dalton in Furness, and nearly surrounded by the sea, has the metal-
liferous limestone for its immediate substratum. . , , , • r xi . j: t
On the northern side of Morecambe Bay there is a detached portion of the county ot Lancaster
called Furness. This, in a more natural division of the county, would be annexed to Cumberland or
Westmoreland, which it adioins. The mountainous ranges which form the lofty parts of those
counties branch into Furness, and give it an alpme character _ The most valuable mineral
production of this district is red hematite, a peculiar ore of iron which is obtained near
Ulverston This is the richest ore in the United Kingdom, yielding the best and most ductile iron,
suited for'the purpose of wire-drawers. The ore is also sent to distant parts of England,_ to improve
he quahty of iron^ by intermixing it in the furnace with the common ores of iron, to increase the
ductn ?v and tenacity of the metll. This valuable mineral occurs m beds intermixed with a red
Sous cky'vliich leaves a bluish metallic stain on the fingers . The ore is frequently found in
WeTdnev shaped masses, composed of concentric layers, which have a diver^gmg radiated
stilL™ anYare^well known in the cabinets of mineralogists.. The mountains on the western side
ff wSd^rmere L ke and those surrounding the Lake of Comston, are all situated m this
district and form sor;:e of the most magnificent features in the lake scenery ot this part of our
if 'and theTarewell known to picturesque travellers and artists. The principal mountams
. Sincl Mr. Binne.. report -s written e^^-^.^^^^^^^^^^^ ^^^^ r^;;^:^:^^.^^^'^^ ^^^^^
worked for the syenite granite at Sh^P. f"^ '^^1 HniSd Kingdom and » See " Wests Guide to the Lakes."
t^n^cru^d1nn?:^clftr^°t?iLr^^^^^^^^
46
854
THE HISTOBY OF LANCASHIRE. chap, xvi
in this part of the county are, Coniston Fell, in Furness, the highest part of which called Grey
Friar or Old Man,' is, according to the trigonometrical measurement by Colonel M.udge, 2, .577
feet above the level of the sea ; and the barometrical admeasurement of Mr, Dalton approaches
so near as to come within six feet of the same elevation. . , , . , „
Lancashire is a well-watered region, as the ancient name of the inhabitants, the begantit, or
dwellers in the country of the waters, sufficiently imports. The principal rivers of the county are,
the Mersey the Kibble, the Lune, the Irwell, the Douglas, the Calder, the Wyre, the Ken,
the Leven and the Duddon. The course of these rivers is described by the venerable Harrison,
chaplain to Lord Cobham, with great fidelity, and though this description was written nearly three
hundred years ago, it will not on that account be the less acceptable to many of our antiquarian
readers • while others will be impressed with the immutability of these striking features of nature,
and with the slight variation in the names of the places through which the rivers pass, or that are
watered by their fertilising streams.
" The Mersey risett among the Peke hills, and from thence going downe to the Woodhouse (? Woodhead), and taking sundrie rilles
withal bv the wave it becommeth the confines betweene Chester and Darbyshyres. Going also toward Goitehal, it meeteth with a faire
brooke increased by sundrye waters called Goyte. The Goyie riseth not far from the Shire meere hill (wherein the Dove and the Dane haue
their original) that parteth Darbyshire and Chestershyres in sunder, and thence commeth downe to Goyte howaes, Ouerton, Taxhall,
Shawcrosse and at Weybridge taketh in the Frith, and beneath Berdhall the Set that riseth aboue Thersethall and runneth by
Ouersette ' After this confluence also the Mersey goeth to Goyte hall, and at Stopf ord towne meeteth with the Tame, which diuideth
Chestershire and Lancastershyres in sunder, and whose head is the very edge of Yorkeshyre, and whence it goeth Southwarde to
Sadleworth Firth, then to Mukelhurst, Staly hal, Ashton Underline, Dukenfield, Denton, Reddish, and so at Stockeford or Stopford
into the Mersey streame, which passeth forth in like sort to Diddesbyry, receyuing a brooke by the waye, that commeth from Lime
parke by Bramhall parke and Chedley. From Diddesbury it proceedeth to Northea, Ashton, Alston, Flixston, where it receiueth
the Jrwell, a notable water which riseth aboue Bacop, and goeth thence to Rosendale, and in the waye to Aytenfielde it taketh in a
water from Haselden. After this confiuenoe it goeth to Newhall, Brandlesham, Bury, and aboue Ratcliffe ioyneth with ye RacJie
water, a faire streame. Eeyiug therefore past these two, our Irwel goeth on to Clifton, Hollonde, Edgecroft, Strang wayes, and to
Manchester,^ where it vniteth itselfe with the Yrhe, that runneth thereinto by Royton, Midleton, Heaton hill, and Blackeley.
Beneath Manchester also it meeteth with the Medlocke that commeth thyther from the north-east side of Oldham, and betweene
Clayton and Garret Halles, and so betweene two parkes, falling into it about Holme. Thence our Irwel going forward to Woodsall,
Whicleswijo, Ecles, Barton, & Irwelhom, it falleth neere vnto Flixton, into the water of Mersey.
" The Rache consisteth of sundrye waters, whereof eche one in a maner hath a proper name, but the greatest of all is the Raohe
it self, which ryseth among the blacke stony hilles, from whence it goeth to Littlebrough, and beying past Clegge, receyueth the
Beyle, that commeth thither by Mylneraw chappell. After thys confluence also, it meeteth with a rill neere vnto Rachedale, and
scone' after with the Sprotton [Spodden] water, and then the Sudley brooke, whereby his chanell is not a little increased, which goeth
from thence to Grisehurst and so into the Irwell, before it come at Ratcliffe. The second streame is called Bradsha. It ryseth
of two heades, aboue Tureton church, whence it runneth to Bradsha, and ere long taking in the Walmesley becke, they goin one
chanell till they come beneath Bolton in the More. From hence (receyuing a water that commeth from the rootes of Rauenpike hill
by the way) it goeth by Deane and Bolton in the More, and so into Bradsha water, which taketh his way to Leuermore, Farnworth,
Leuerlesse, and finally into the Irwell, which I before described, and whereof I finde these two verses to be added at the last : —
" Yrke, Irwell, Medlocke, and Tame,
When they meete with the Mersey, do lose their name.
" Nowe therefore to resume our Mersey you shall vnderstande that after his confluence with the Irwell he runneth to Parting-
ton, and not farre from thence interteinet'h ye Gles or Glesbrooke water, increased wyth sundrye arms whereof one commeth from
Lodvvard, an other from aboue Houghton, the thyrde from Hulton Parcke, and the fourth from Shakerley : and beying all vnited
neere vnto Leighe, the confluence goeth to Holcroft, and ahoue Hoi ling greene into ye swift Mersey. After this increase the saide
streame in lyke sort runneth to Rigston, & there admytteth the Bollein brooke wator into his societie, which rising neere ye Chamber
in Maxwell Forest goeth to Ridge, Sutton, Maxfield, Bollington, Prestbyry, and Newton, where it taketh in a water coming from
about Pot Chappell, which runneth from thence by Adlington, Woodforde, Wymsley, Ryngey, and Ashley, there receyuing the Byrkin
brooke that commeth from betwene Allerton and Marchall, by Mawberly, and soone after the Marus or Mar, that cometh thereinto
from Mar towne, by Sawstorne, and after these confluences goeth on to Downham, and ouer against Riston beneth Crosforde bridge
into the Mersey water, which proceeding on, admitteth not another that meeteth with all neere Lym before it go to Thelwall.
Thence also it goeth by Bruche and so to Warrington, a little beneath crossing a brooke that commeth from Par by Browsey,
Bradley, and Saukey on the one side, and another on the other that commeth thither from Gropeuhall, and with these it runeth on
to nether Walton, Acton Grange, and so to Penkith, where it interteineth the Bolde, and soone after the Grundiche water on the
other side, that passeth by Preston and Daresbyry. Finallye our Mersey goyng by Moulton, it falleth into Lirepool Hauen, when
it is past Rucorne. And thus much of the Mersey, comparable to the Wyuer, and of no lesse fame then most ryuers of thys Islands.
" Beying past these two we come next of all to the Tarbocke water thai talleth into the sea at Harbooke, without finding any
mo tyll we be past Wyrall, out of Leirpoole hauen, and from the blacke rockes, that lye vpon the north point of the aforesayd Island.
Then come we to Alt mouth, who.se fresh rysing not farre into the lande, commeth to Feston, and soone after receiuing another on
the right hand, that passeth into it by Aughton, it is increased no more before it come at the sea. Neyther finde I any other falles
till I meete with the mouth of the Yarrow and Duglasse, which haue their recourse to the sea in the one chanell as I take it.
"The Duglasse commeth from the west of Rauen.spike (Rivington Pike) hill, and ere long runneth by Andertonford to Worthington,
& so (takyng in two or three rylles by the waye) to Wigen, where it receyueth two waters in one chanell, of which one commeth in south
from Bryn Parke, the other from the north-east. Being past thys it receyueth one on the north side from Standishe, and another by
south from Holloiid, and then goeth on toward Rufford Chapiiell taking the Taud with all, that discendeth from aboue Skelmersdale
towne, and goeth tliorow Latham Parke, belonging vnto the Earle of Darby. It meeteth also on the same side with Merton meere
water, in which meere is an islande called Netholme, beside other, and when it is past the hanging bridge, it is not long ere it fall
into the Yarrowe.
" The Yarrowe ryseth of two heades, whereof the second is called Bageii brooke, & making a confluence beneath Helbywood, it
goeth on to Burghe, Egleston, Croston, and then ioyneth ne.\t of all with the Dugglasse, after which confluence the maine streame
goeth forth to Banke hall, Charleton, How, Hesket, and so into the sea. Lelande, wryting of yo Yarrow, saith thus : Into the
1 Old Man is a corruption of Alt Maen — i.e. (Brit.) high rock or - "Lelande speaketh of the Cornfl water aboute Manchester, but I
stone. knowe nothing of his course." [The Corn-brook, — H.J
CHAP. XVI.
THE HISTORY Oi' LANCASHlflE.
355
Duglasse also runneth the Yarrow which commeth wythin a myle or thereabout of Chorleton towne, that parteth Leland shire from
Darby shire, vuder the foots of Chorle also I flnde a ryll, named Ceorle, and about a myle and a half from thence a notable quarrey
of stones wherof the inhabitants doe make a great host and price. ^ ^
^-uv,'"^*"? ^t'^^' V^T'^ "^"^ "°^ °* ^*^'°'°° ^""^ Lampreie, dooth in manner inuiron Preston in Andernesse, and it riseth neere to
Eibbesdale aboue Uisburne : —
" From Penigents proud foot, as from my source I slide
That mountaine my proud syre, in height of all his pride,
Takes pleasure in my course, as in his lirst-borne Flood ;
And Ingleboro Hill of that Olympian Brood
With Pendle, of the North the highest hills that be,
Doe wistly me behold, and are beheld of me."
Drayton's PolyolUon, 27th Song, p. 131.
^jj"-'* F^^^ ^^^ ^^^^'i"® *° ^^"'^®y °^ ^-aWoy, Chatbiirne, Woodington, Clitherow castell, & beneath Mitton meeteth with the
Odder, yihich. ryseth not farre from the cross of Greta in Yorkshire, and going thence to Shilburne, Newton, Radholme parke, and
Stony hirst, it falleth ere long into the Ribble water. From hence the Ilibble hath not gone farre, but it meeteth with the Calder.
Thys brooke ryseth aboue Holme Church, goeth by Townley and Burneley (where it receiveth a trifeling rill), thence to Higham
and ere long crossing one water that commeth from Wiooler, by Colne, and another by and by named Pidle brooke that runneth by
Newechurch, in the Pidle : it meeteth with ye Calder, which passeth forth to Padiam, & thence (reoeyuing a becke on the other side)
it runneth on to Altham, and so to Martholme, where the Henburne brooke doth ioyne with all, that goeth by Alkington chappell,
Dunkmhalghe, Rishton, and so into ye Calder as I haue sayde before. The Calder therefore being thus inlarged, runneth forth to
Reade (where M. Nowell dwelleth), to Whalley, and soone after into Ribell, that goeth from this confluence to Salisbury hal,
Ribchester, Osbaston, Sambury, Keuerden, Law, Ribles bridge, and then taketh in the Darwent, before it goeth by Pontworth or
Pentworth into the sea. The Dancent deuideth Leland shire from Andernesse, and it ryseth by east aboue Darwent Chappell, and
Boone after vniting it selfe with the Blackeburne, & Rodlesworthe water, it goeth thorowe Howghtou Parke, by Howghton towne,
to Walton hall, and so into the Ribell. As for the Sannocke brooke, it ryseth somewhat aboue Longridge chappell, goeth to
Broughton towne, Gotham, Lee hall, and so into Ribell.
" The Wire ryseth eight or ten miles from Garstan, out of an hill in Wiresdale, from whence it runneth by Shireshed chappell,
and then going by Wadland, Grenelaw Castle (which belongeth to the Erie of Darbie), Garstan, & Kyrkeland hall, it first receyueth
the seconde Calder, that commeth down by Edmersey chappell, then another chanel increased with sundrie waters, the first water is
called Plympton brooke. It riseth south of Go.=ner, and commeth by Crawforde hall, and eare long receyuing the Barton becke, it
proceedeth forward till it ioyneth with the Brooke rill that cometh from Rowland Forest by Claughton hall, where M. Brokehales
doth lie, and so thorow Mersco forrest. After this confluence the Plime or Plimton water meeteth with the Calder, and then with
the Wire which passeth forth to Michael church and the Raw cliffes, and aboue Thorneton crosseth the Skipton, that goeth by
Potton, then into the Wire rode, and finally into the sea, according to his nature.
" The Ooker from its shortnesse deserueth no description. The next ia Coivdar, which comming out of Wire dale (as I take it)
is not increased with any other waters, more then Coker.
" But beying past these twoo, I came to a notable ryuer called the Lune, or Loine, or (as the book of Statutes hath) Lonoire
(Anno 13 Ric. II. c. cap. 19), and giueth name to Lancaster, Loneoaster, or Lunecaster where much Romane monie is found and
that of diuerse stamps, whose course doth reast to be described as followeth : — '
" The Lune, saith M. More, of Catherine Hall, in Cambridge, of some commonly called the Loine, riseth at Crossehoe in Dent
dale, in tbe edge of Richmonde shire, out of three heades. From hence it goeth to Burborne chappell, where it taketh in another
rill comming from by east, then to Kyrby Lan.sdale, and aboue Wbittenton crosseth a brooke comming from the Countie stone, by
Burros, and soon after beneath Tunstal and Gretey, which descending from about Ingelborrow hill passeth by Tvvyselton, Ingleton,
Thorneton, Burton, Wratton, & neare Tburlande castell touchetti finally with the Lune, which brauncheth and soone after vniteth
it selfe againe. After this also it goeth on towarde New Parke, & receyueth the Wenny and the Hinburne both in one chanell, of
which this riseth north of the croese of Grete, and going by Benthams and Robertes hill, aboue Wray taketh in the Rheburne that
riseth north of Wulferagge. After thys confluence also aboue New parke, the Lune maketh his gate by Aughton, Laughton, Skirtou,
Lancaster, Excliffe, Awchffe, Stodday, Orton, and so into the sea.
" The next fall is called the Docker, and peradventure the same that Lelande doth call the Kery [Keer], which is not far from
Wharton where the rich Kitson was born, it ryseth north of Docker towne, and going by Barwye hall, it is not increased before it
come at the sea, where it falleth into the Lune water at Lune sands. Next of all we come tu Bitham beck, which riseth not far
from Bitham towne and parke, in the hilles, where about are great numbers of goates kept and maintained, and by all likelihood
resorteth in the end to Linaands. Being past this we finde a forked arme of the sea called Kensandes : into the first of which diuers
waters doe runne in one chanell, as it were from foure principall heades, one of them comming from Garrig hall, another from by
west of Whinfielde, & ioyning with ye firste on the east side of Skelmere parke. The third called Sprot or Sprota ryseth at Sloddale,
and coming downe by west of Skelmer parke, so that these two brookes haue the aforesayde parke betweene them, and fall into the
fourth east of Barneside, not very farre in sunder. The fourth or last, called Ken [Kent], cometh from Kentmeres side out of Ken
moore, in a poole of a mile compasse very well stored with fish, the head whereof, of all the baronie of Kendall, is in Westmorland,
and going to Steuelop, it taketh in a rill from Chappelton Inges. Then leaving Colnehed parke by east, it passeth by Barneside, to
Kendall, Helston, Sigarthe, Siggeswyc, Leuenbridge, Milnethorpe, and so into the sea. The other peece of ye forked arme, is called
Winstar, ye head whereof is aboue Winstar chappell, and going downe almost by Carpmaunaell, and Netherslake, it is not long eare
it fall into the sea or sands ; for all this coast, & a gulfe from the Ramside point to the Mealenasse, is so pestered with sands, that
it is almost incredible to see how they increase. , . , . , t • , i.
" Hauing passed the Leuen or Conysandes or Winander fall (for all is one), I come to the Lew which riseth at Lewicke chappell,
& falleth into the sea beside Plumpton. The Rawther descending out of lowe Furnesae hath two heades, whereof one cometh from
Pennyton, the other by Ulverstone abbay, and ioyning both in one chanell, they hasten into the sea, whither all waters direct theyr
' In celebrating the fame of the Lune, the Shropshire poet, in his
"Faerie Land," pronounces a high, though somewhat incongruous,
poetic eulogium upon the fine cattle, the deep-mouthed hounds, the
gallant bowmen, and the princely duchy .of Lancashire :—
" Besides in all this Isle, there no such Cattell be,
For largenesse, Home, and Haire, as these of Lancashire ;
So that from every part of England farre and neere,
Men haunt her Marts for Store, as from her Race to breed.
And for the third, wherein she doth all Shires exceed.
Be thos3 great race of Hounds, the deepest mouth d of all
The other of this kind, which we our Hunters call.
Which from their bellowing throats vpon a sent so roare
That you would surely thiuke, that the flrme earth they tore
With their wide yawning chaps, or rent the Clouds in sunder,
As though by their lowd crie they meant to mocke the thunder.
Besides, her Natiues haue been anciently csteem'd,
For Bow-men neere our best, and euer have been deem'd
So loyall, that the Guard of our preceding King?,
Of them did most consist ; but yet 'mongst all these things
Euen almost euer since the English Cruwne was set
Vpon the lawfuU head of our Plantaginet,
In Honor, next the first, our Dukedomo was allow'd.
And alwayes with the greatest, reuenuea was emlow'd :
And after when it hapt, France conquering Edward's blood
Diuided iu it selfe, here for the Garland stood ;
The right Lancastrian Line, it from York's Issue bare ;
The Red rose, our braue Badge, which in their Helmets ware
In many a bloody field, at many a doubtfuU fight
Against the House of Yorke, which bare for theirs the Wliite,'
356
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XVI.
voyage. Then come we to another rill south-west of Aldingham, descending by Glaiston oastell, and likewyse the fourth that ryseth
neare Lyndell, and running by Dawlton castell and Furnesse abbay, not farre from the Barow lieade, it falleth into the sea ouer
against Wauey and Wauey chappeU, except myne aduertisements misleade me.
° " The Dodon commeth from the Shire stone hill bottome, & g )lng by Blackhill, Southwake, a. Johns, Uffay parte, and Brough-
ton it falleth into the salt water betweene Kyrby and Mallum castell, and thus are we now come vnto the Rauenglasse point,"
where our authority quits the rivers of Lancashire.
The increase of the population of Lancashire during the present century is unequalled by that
of any other county in the kingdom. The West Riding of Yorkshire makes the nearest
approximation to it ; but while in that riding the increase in the three decennial periods, from
1801 to 1811, from 1811 to 1821, and from 1821 to 1831, was 16, 22, and 22 per cent, in Lancashire
the increase in the same periods was 23, 27, and 27 per cent, thereby swelling the total number of
souls in this county from 673,486 in 1801, to 1,335,600 in 1831.' While the value of property
assessable to the county rate in most of the other counties of the kingdom decreased within the
fourteen years 1815 to 1829, it increased in Lancashire in the same period in the proportion of 25
per cent— namely, from the sum of £3,166,009, the amount in 1815, to £4,214,634, the amount
m 1829.
After an interval of fifty years since 1831, Lancashire maintained its supremacy m point ol
population over all the English counties, as the following figures will show, taken from the Official
Census for 1881 :—
Lancashire
Middlesex
Yorkshire
1841.
1,667,054
1,576,636
1,592,059
1851.
2,031,236
1,886,576
1,797,995
1861.
2,429,440
2,206,485
2,083,610
1871.
2,819,495
2,539,765
2,436,355
1881.
3.454,225
2,920,485
2,886,564
The increase in the ten years . . .
Lancashire
Middlesex
1831 to 1841.
330,200
218,306
220,093
18tl to 1851.
364,182
309.940
205,936
1851 to 1861.
398,204
319,909
235,615
1861 to 1871.
390,005
333,280
402,745
1871 to 1881.
634,730
380,720
450,209
The early period of the ecclesiastical history of Lancashire is involved in considerable
uncertainty, and even the diocese to which this county appertained is not well defined" till the
time of the Reformation, when Henry VIII., in the 33rd year of his reign (1541), in order to
make some slight restitution for the spoliation he had committed upon the property of the church,
erected Chester into a distinct bishopric* From this time the whole county of Lancaster was, till
1847,* included in the diocese of Chester — the southern part in the archdeaconry of Chester and
the northern part in the archdeaconry of Richmond. These divisions are more ancient than the
Valor of Pope Nicholas IV. , for in that important ecclesiastical document we find all the Lancashire
churches which then existed under one or other of these divisions. Before the Reformation, the
diocese of Lichfield, Coventry, and Chester, by each of which names the bishopric was alternately
distinguished, according to the city wherein the bishop dwelt, included Staffordshire, Derbyshire,
part of Shropshire, and that part of Warwickshire which is not subject to the bishopric of
Worcester. "Now," say the authorities, "the diocese of Chester contains Cheshire, part of
Denbighshire, and part of Flintshire, all Richmondshire, and part of Lancashire to the river
Ribble." This definition, however, is not quite accurate, the whole of Lancashire being till 1847
in the diocese of Chester, as well the northern part, which is within Richmondshire, as the southern
part, which in the Domesday Survey is called " Inter Ripam et Mershavi." Parts of the counties
of York, Westmorland, and Cumberland, were also included in this diocese.
' The general average increase in England and Wales in thrse three
periods is 14i, 17J, and 16 per cent ; and somewhat less in Scotland—
namely, 13, 16, and 13 per cent.
^ Hoveden says that Chester was a bishop's see whilst it was under
the dominion of the Britons, and an ancient manuscript, quoted in the
Moaasticon (v. i., page 197), informs us of Egbert's intention of having
his daughter, St. Edith, veiled by the then Bishop of Chester—" And the
King Egbryght, for the wollenesse that was in St. Modwen, betoke to
hure his dowghtr Edyth, to norych, and to kepe, and to informo hur,
after the reule of Sent Benett, and after to veyle his dowghtur of the
Boschojipe of Chesiar." In the manuscript Chronicle of St. Werburgh's
Abbey, Wilfrlc is called also Bishop of Chester (temp. Ethelred), but these
accounts are obviously fallacious, and probably allude to the Bishops of
Mercia under the designation of Bishops of Chester. On the conversion
of the Mercian king Peada, son of Penda, to Christianity (a.d. 666), Diuma,
a Scot, went from lona as first Bishop of the Mercians or Middle Angles,
and took up his abode at Repton, near Derby, then the capital of Mercia,
his diocese being co-extensive with the kingdom, of which Cheshire was
a small parcel. Eleven years after Diuma's death, St. Chad transferred
the seat from Repto}i to Lichfield, from which time there continued an
unbroken episcopal line in that city, until, by doom of the canon law.
all bishops were to remove to the greatest cities in their respective
dioceses, when Peter, Bishop of Lichfield (a.d. 1075), removed his seat
from Lichfield to Chester, and was thenceforward commonly styled
Bishop of Chester. In 1095 his successor, Robert de Limsey, transferred
the episcopal chair to Coventry, though he continued to write hims«-lf
Bishop of Chester ; and iu the reign of Henry I., Roger Clinton, disap-
proving the change, removed the seat back to Lichfield, from which time
the see was commonly designated the bishopric of Lichfield, Coventry,
and Chester, until Henry VIII. divided the dioceses, and erected the
separate and distinct see of Chester. — 0.
•' Patent (33 Henry VIII., p. 2, m. 23) dated at Walden, August 4,
1541. By a subsequent Act of Parliament (33 Henry VIII.) the see of
cheater was placed within the province of York. — C.
^ As early as the 12th December, 1S38, an Order in Council was made
for founding the see of Manchester, but that order not taking effect, on
the 10th February, 1S47, a commission was issued, under which a report
was made on the 20th Api-il following, and an Act was thereupon passed,
10 and 11 Vict,, cap. lOS (23rd July, 1847), whereby the recommendations
of the report were ordered to bo carried into effect by her present
Majesty in Council, — C.
CHAP. XVI.
THE HISTOHY OF LANCASHIRE.
357
When, in 1847, the diocese of Manchester was carved out of that of Chester, there remained
mthm the older diocese of Chester, in the county palatine of Lancaster, the whole of the deanery
of Warrington except the parish of Leigh, the diocese of Chester, until the passing of the
Liverpool Bishopric Act (1878), included the archdeaconries of Chester and Liverpool; and the
latter only included the Lancashire part of the diocese, which comprises six rural deaneries, viz.,
Liverpool (North), Liverpool (South), Prescot, North Meols, Winwick, and Wigan. In 1847,
by virtue of the Act 10 and 11 Vict., c. 108, the bishopric of Manchester was created, and the
collegiate church of Manchester elevated to the dignity of a cathedral and made the seat of the
bishop. The diocese, roughly stated, includes the whole of Lancashire except the West Derby
Hundred, which until the creation of the see of Liverpool in 1880 remained (except the parish of
Leigh)_in the diocese of Chester, and the Furness and Cartmel districts, north of the Sands, which
are united to the diocese of Carlisle.
It was the practice of the popes in the early period of our history to make contributions
towards the expenses of the holy wars, and Pope Nicholas IV., imitating the example of Pope
Innocent, granted the tenths of the ecclesiastical benefices in England which he claimed and which
had customarily been paid to Edward I. for six years, to defray the expenses of his expedition to the
Holy Land, That this revenue might be collected to its full value, a taxation, by the king's
precept, was begun in the year 1288, and finished as to the province of Canterbury in 1291, and as
to that of York in 1292.
This taxation is a most important record, because all the taxes, as well of the English
sovereigns as the pope's, were regulated by it, until the survey made in the 26th year of Henry
VIII., when the materials for the Liber Regis, usually called the " King's Books," were collected ;
and because the statutes of colleges, which were formed before the Reformation, are also interpreted
by this criterion.' The whole of this Valor has been published by the Commissioners of Public
Records, under the editorship of Henry Ellis, Esq. (afterwards Sir Henry Ellis), and the following
are extracts from it relating to the ecclesiastical benefices in the county of Lancaster : —
ARCHrDIACONAT' CESTR'.
Deoanatcs de Maintecestee' et Blaokbuene.
Ecclia. de Jlaiuoestr'
Ecclia. de Eoclis p't', &o
Prior de Loncastr' ' pcip' ia eadm. . . .
Ecclia. de Prestwyke
Ecclia. de Burey
Ecclia. de Middelton
Ecclia. de Eakedale
Ecclia. de Aston'
Ecclia. de Fly xton
Ecclia. de Blakeburne cu' capell' ...
Ecclia. de Walley cu' capell'
Sma £259 6
Inde decima 25 18
Decanatus de Wekington.
Ecclia. de Werinton'
Ecclia. de Prestoote
Ecclia. de Childwell
Ecclia. de Walton
Coven tr'
Taxatio.
£ s. d.
53 6 8
20
2 13 4
18 13 4
]3 6 8
13 6 8
23 6 8
10
4 13 4
33 6 8
66 13 4
Sp.
Decima.
£ 8. d
5 6 i
2 (
5 '.
1 17 t.
1 6 I
1 6 i
2 6 f
C
Coventr'
Taxatio.
£ s. ri.
4
Sp.
Decima.
1
9
3 6
6 13
13 6 8
40
40
44
Ecclia. de Seston (Sefton) 26 13
Ecclia. de Halesale 10
Ecclia. de Ormeschirclie 13 6
Ecclia. de Hoyton 10
Ecclia. de Wyneswyk 26 13 4
Ecclia. de Leithe 8
Ecclia. de Wyan 33 6 8
Sma 398 mrc.
lude decima ... 39 mrc, 10s. 8d.
Inlibris £265 6 8
Inde decima 26 10 8
Decanatus de Leyland.
Ecclia. de Stanedech 13 6 8
Ecclia. de Eocleston 12
Ecclia. de Croston 33 6 8
Ecclia. de Penwnrtham 20
Ecclia. de Laylond 10
Sma £88 13 4
Inde decima 8 17 4
£
2 13
1
1 6
1
2 13
16
3 6
1
1
3 6 8
2
1
ARCHIDIACONATUS RICHEMUND.
Decanatds de Aymdhdebn'.
Coventr'
Taxatio.
Ecclia. de Lancastr' 80
Ecclia. Sci Micliis sup Wyrr 66 13
Ecclia. de Preston 66 13
Ecclia. de Riwecestr' 22
Ecclia. de Schipping 10 13
Ecclia. de Kirkhm 160
Ecclia. de Pulton 66 13
Ecclia. de Gayrsteng 26 13
Sma tol£558 6 8
d.
4
4
4
8p.
Decima.
£ s. (
26 13
23 6
23 6
12
5
63 6
22
10
Decanatus db Lonbsdale and Kendale.
Coventr'
Taxatio.
£ s. d.
Ecclia. de Halton 12
Ecclia. de Clahton 6 13 4
Ecclia. de Tatehm 6 13 4
Ecclia. de Melliug 40
Ecclia. de Tunstal 26 13 4
Ecclia. de Heshm 10
Ecclia. de Warton 66 13 4
Sp.
Decima.
£
3 6
2 13
3 6
20
6 13
5
26 13
Lonsdale north of the Sands, including the districts of Cartmel and Furness, formed part of
the county of Westmorland when the Valor Beneflciorum was taken ; but that district now
belongs to Lancashire, and the following parishes stand under the head
1 Ellis on the Taxatio Ecolesiaatica Angl. et Wall, auotoritate P. Nioholal iv. circa (a.d, 1291).
358
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CiHAP. XVI.
Deoanatus Coupland.
Ebor' Sp'.
Antiq. Tax'. Nova Tax.
Ecolia. de Dalton 8
Ecclia. de Penigton 5 6
Ecolia. de Wolveston 12
d.
8
£ s. d.
2
Nichil.
5
Ebor' Sp'.
Antiq. Tax'. Nova Tax.
£ s. d. £ a. d.
Eoclia. de WytiDghm 10 13 4 2 13 4
Ecclia. de Kertynel 46 13 4 8
Ecclia. de AldiDghm 53 6 8 10
Ecolia. de Warswjthk 5 6 8 2
From these returns it may be inferred that the parishes of more recent date are — Altcar,
Aughton, Bispham, Bolton-le-Sands, Brindle, Chorley, Coulton, Deane, Hoole, Hawkeshead, Kirkby
Ireleth, Liverpool, RufFord, Radcliffe, Bolton, North Meols.
These sixty-six parishes were comprehended in the deaneries of Manchester, Warrington,
Blackburn, and Leyland, in the archdeaconry of Chester ; and Amounderness, Furness, Lonsdale,
and Kendal, in the archdeaconry of Richmond ; and the following in the ecclesiastical arrangements
existing prior to the creation of the dioceses of Manchester and Liverpool : —
ARCHDEACONRY OF CHESTER.
Deaneey of Manchestee.
Ashton-under-Lyne, rectory, dedicated
to St. Michael
Bolton-le-Moors, discharged vicarage,
St. Peter
Bury, rectory, St. Mary
Dean, dis. vicarage, St. Mary
Eccles, dis. vicarage, St. Mary
Flixton, curacy to an impropriation, St.
Michael
Ivlanchester, Collegiate, Christ
Middleton, rectory, St. Leonard
Prestwich-cum-Oldham, rectory, St.
Mary ,
Radcliffe, rectory
Rochdale, vicarage, St. Chad
Deanery op Wareington.
Altcar, curacy to an impropriation, St.
Michael
Aughton, rectory, St. Michael
Childwali, vicarage, All Saints
Halsall, rectory, St. Cuthbert
Huyton, dis. vicarage, St. Michael
Leigh, dis. vicarage, St, Mary
Liverpool, rectory, St. Nicholas
North Meols, rectory, St. Cuthbert
Omiskirk, dis. vicarage, St. Peter and
St Paul
Deaneet op Amouisiderkbss.
Bispham, perpetual curacy
Chipping, rectory, St. Bartholomew
Cockerham, dis. vicarage, St. Michael...
Garstang, vicarage, St. Helen
Kirkham, vicarage, St. Michael
Lancaster, vicarage, St. Mary
Lytham, perpetual curacy, St. Cuthbert.
Poulton, dis. vicarage, St. Chad
Preston, vicarage, St. Wilfrid
Ribchester, dis. vicarage, St. Wilfrid ...
St. Michael's, dis. vicarage
Deanery op Fueness.
Value in
the
King's Books.
Tenths.
£ s.
d.
£
8.
d.
26 13
4
2
13
4
10 3
1
3i
29 11
5*
2
19
IS
4
8
6 8
12
94
213 10
11
21
7
1
36 3
114
3
12
a
46 4
94
4
12
5?
21
5
2
2
OA
11 4
94
1
2
5i
4 15
5
1
9
61
5 11
8
9
2
24 11
5i
2
9
If
6 9
12
lOf
9
18
8 3
4
16
4
10
1
A.
Value in
RCH.
the
DEj!
LIJO
nr:
King's Books.
Tenths.
£ s.
d.
£
s.
d.
24 16
5i
2
9
7\
10 16
8
1
1
8
14 3
4
1
8
4
21 1
14
2
2
If
41
4
2
22
2
4
7 16
8
15
8
15 3
114
1
10
4f
39 9
n
3
8
llf
10 17
6
1
1
9
Aldingham, rectory, St. Cuthbert
Cartmel, curacy to an impropriation.
Holy Trinity
Coulton, curacy to an impropriation.
Holy Trinity
Dalton, dis. vicarage, St. Mary
Hawkshead, curacy to an impropriation,
St. Michael
Preaoot, vicarage, St. Mary
Sefton, rectory, St. Helen
Walton-on-the-Hill, rectory, St. Mary ..
Warrington, rectory, formerly dedi-
cated to St. Elfin, now St. Helen
Wigan, rectory, A It Saints
Win wick, rectory, St. Oswald
Value in the-
King's Books.
Tenths.
£ s. d.
£ s. d.
24 10
2 8 1
30 1 8
3 2
69 16 104
6 19 Si
40
4
80 10 8
8 1 Oi
102 9 94
10 4 llj
Deanery op Blackburn.
Blackburn, vicarage, St. Mary
Whalley, vicarage, St. Wilfrid
Brindle, dis. rectory, St. James
Chorley, rectory, St. Lawrence
Croston, rectory, St. Michael, now
divided into six independent parishes,
viz., Croston and Hoole in 1642,
Chorley and Rufford in 1793, and
Tarleton and Hesketh-cum-Beccon-
sallin 18211
Eocleston, rectory, jS<. Mary
Hoole, rectory. Holy Trinity
Leyland, vicarage, St. Andrew
Penwortham, curacy to an impropria-
tion, St. Mary
Rufford, rectory, St. Mary
Staudish, rectory, 5<. Wilfrid
OF RICHMOND.
8
1 8
16 2
6
3 9
12 44
12
8 4
1 4 10
31 11 104
28 6 04
6 14
11
45 16 8
Value in the
King's Books.
£ 8. d.
Kirby Ireleth, dis. vicarage, St. Cuthbert
Pennington, curacy to an impropriation,
St. Michael —
Ulverston, vicarage, Si. ilfar;/ 28 18
Urswick, dis, vicarage, St. Michael 7 17 6
3 3 24
2 17 74
13 4i
12
4 11 8
Tenths.
£ s. d.
2 17
15
Deanery op Lonsdale.
Claughton, dis. rectory, Si. CAad 9 15
Melling, dis. vicarage, S«. Pcier 7 1
Tatham, rectory, S<. /ames 12 5
Tunstall, dis. vicarage, St. John the
Baptist 6
Whittington, rectory 13
Deanery op Kendal.
Bolton-le-Sands, dia. vicarage 4 15
Warton, Holy Trinity 74 10
HaltOD, St. Wilfrid 20
Heysham, Si!. /"eto- 8 9
104
5
3 111
24
7i
2
19
14
4
94
2i
6
12 4|
6 llj
6
Oi
01
16 11
SSinoe 1835 this parish has been further divided, Bretherton being made a rectory, and Mawdealey and Bispham a rectory.— 0.
CHAP. XVI.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
359
ARMS OF THE SEE OF CHESTER.
Gules, three mitreB, labelled, or.
Or, on » pale, engrailed, giies, three mitres, labelled,
gold; on a canton of the second, three bendleta enhanced,
argent.
AUMS OF THE SEIS OP LIVERPOOL.
Argent, an eagle with wings expanded saUe, beaked or,
resting its dexter claw on an ancient ink-horn ppr. A chief
per pale, azure and gules, charged on the dexter with an
open book of the third, inscribed with the words, " Thy
word is truth," of the second, and on the sinister with
a lymphad, gold.
360 THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xvi.
After the dissolution of the monasteries, Henry VIII., with the consent of his Parliament,
directed that the lands and manors of the monasteries and priories in Lancashire should be
administered by the chancellor, officers, and ministers of the county palatine and duchy of
Lancaster. This enactment, so characteristic of the age, was expressed in the following
comprehensive terms : " Be it enacted, that all and singulier the liberties, fraunchises, privileges,
and temporall jurisdiction, whiche the said late owners of the scites, cireuites, precinctes, manors,
and other pmisses of the late Monastery of Furnes, of the late Monasteries and Priories of
Cartemele, Conyngshed, Burscough, and Holland, lawfully had used, and exercised by them selfis or
by their officers or ministres, shalbe by vertue of this acte revived and be really and actually in
the Kinges Highnes, his heires, ministres of the said Countie Palatyne and Duchy of Lancastre ;
and that the stewards, bailiffes, officers, and Ministres of the County Palatine and Duchy of Lancast.
shalbe compelled to accompt for the same bifore the said chauncelour, officers and ministres of the
said Countie Palantyne and Duchie of Lancastre, as other officers and accomptauntis in the Court
of the said Duchie heretofore have doon or owe to doo."
THE DIOCESE OF CHESTER.
In the succeeding year the bishopric of Chester was instituted, and the following is
A CATALOGUE OF THE BISHOPS OF CHESTER SINCE 33 HENRY VIII. (1541).
IVhich Bishopric was created on the Dissolution of the Monasteries.
John Bird, D.D, Translated from Bangor ; deprived by Queen Mary for marrying, 1554. Died at Chester, 1556.
George Cotes, D.D. Died 1656.
Cuthbert Scott, D.D. Deprived by Queen Elizabeth. Escaped from the Fleet, and died at Louvain.
William Downeham, D.D. Died November, 1577. Buried at Chester.
William Chaderton, D.D., Warden of Manchester. Translated to Lincoln, May 24, 1595. Died April 11, 1608.
Hugh Bellot, D.D. Translated from Bangor. Died May, 1596. Buried at Wrexham, Denbighshire.
Richard Vaughan, D.D. Translated from Bangor ; translated to London, December, 1604. Died March 30, 1607.
George Lloyd, D.D. Translated from Man. Died August 1, 1615. Buried at Chester.
Thomas Moreton, D.D. Translated to Lichfield and Coventry, 6th March, 1618, and thence to Durham, 1632.
Died 22nd September, 1659, aged 95.
John Bridgeman, D.D., Rector of Wigan ; father of Lord Keeper Sir Orlando Bridgeman ; deprived by the Crum-
wellian Parliament. Died at Morton, co. Salop. 11 November, 1652.
Brian Walton, D.D. Died November 29, 1661. Buried in St. Paul's, London.
Henry Feme, D.D. Died shortly after consecration. Buried at Westminster.
George Hall, D.D., Rector of Wigan. Died at Wigan, August 23, 1668.
John Wilkins, D.D., Rector of Wigan. Died at London, November 19, 1672.
John Pearson, D.D., Rector of Wigan, Died July 16, 1686. Buried at Chester.
Thomas Cartwright, D.D., Rector of Wigan. Nominated to Salisbury, but died in Dublin, 1689.
Nicholas Stratford, D.D., Warden of Manchester. Died Sept. 12, 1707. Buried at Chester.
Sh- William Dawes, Bart., D.D. Translated to York, 1713-14. Died April 30, 1724, Buried in Chapel of
Catherine Hall, Cambridge.
Francis Gastrell, D.D. Died November 24, 1725. Buried in Christ Church, Oxford.
Samuel Peploe, D.D, ' Died February 21, 1752, Buried at Chester, Aged 84
EdmuDd Keene, D.D, Trauslated to Ely, 1770, Died July 6, 178L Buried at Ely.
William Markham, LL.D. Translated to York, 1776. Died 1807,
Beilby Porteus, D.D, Trauslated to London, 1787. Died 14th May, 1808, aged 78. Buried at Hyde Hill,
Saudridge, Kent.
William Cleaver, D.D. Translated, 1799, to Bangor, and thence to St. Asaph, Died May 15 1815
Henry Wilham Majendie, D, D, Translated to Bangor, 1810,
Bowyer Edward Sparke, D,D, Translated to Ely, 1812,
George Henry Law, D.D, Translated to B.ith and Wells, May, 1824,
Charles James Blomfield, D.D. Translated to London, August, 1828
John Bird Sumner, D.D. Translated to Canterbury, 1848. Died 1862, Buried at Addington, Surrey.
John Graham, D.D. Died 1865, Buried at Chester,
^7'"!'"^ i'"'"'^"""' °'°- ^■'esigned February 2ud, 1884, and died July 13th in the same year.
William Stubbs. D.D., LL.D.
THE DIOCESE OF MANCHESTER
The diocese of Manchester was first divided into the two archdeaconries of Manchester and
Lancaster but a third archdeaconry, called the archdeaconry of Blackburn, was afterwards
1554
1556
1561
May 4.
1579
Nov. 9.
1595
1597
June — .
1604
Jan. 14.
1616
July 7.
1619
May 9.
1660
Dec. 2.
1661
Feb, 9,
1662
May
1668
1672-E
! Feb, 9,
1686
Oct, 17,
1689
Dec, 15,
1707-8 Feb. 8.
1714
April 14.
1726
April 12,
1762
Mar, 22.
1771
1776
Deo. 31.
1788
Jan. 20,
1800
June 14,
1810
Jan, 21,
1812
July 5,
1824
June 20,
1828
Sept, 14,
1848
Mar, 14,
1885
Aug, 24,
1884
April 25
constituted and formed out of the archdeaconry of Manchester. The archdeaconry of Manchester
consists of the deanery of Manchester (founded August 23, 1843) and the whole parish of Leigh.
chu'rches'^'jrLlnc!Shire°wL*hf,m'^rLl;'^,?" "P*^™?"'^ *<= following (1745); Field Broughton (1745); St. Thomas's, Liverpool (1750)- All
PeXe- St GeorM'sPrrtr,n ^m»vn'' °'" v.'=?r:„*'"'"'*"='i by Bishop Shunts', Boltou-le Mom-s (17.52), He also conseurated the following which
PrSwich (17am'^ St' C^^r^T. *l iv^ ' ^^)TZ'^^l}^f^ ' Unsworth-ii- had been rebuilt between 1720 and 1762 : Formby-in-Waltoa N "wCrch
f^Mmt-^Aillll M^^^^^ ^^='""'8- i"-Winwick ; Sh^w-in-Prestwioh ; Hambleton-hi-ia^kham; priton le-
St. Ul; ^oSfe^S)'rSLSn-&.f^S^rt;ii&le^IS SrkfgSS^I^?^;a^^S£^-'^ Westhoo,hton-in-Deane;
CHAP. XVI.
THE HISTORi^ OF LANCASlimE.
361
Snf^y^SMancSer ''''"^'' '"" *^' '"^""'^ °' Warrington, and now forms part of the
ine mocese ol Manchester. The aforesaid portions of the deaneries of Kendal and Kirkhv
Lonsdale united constitute the deanery of Tunstall J^enaai ana mvKby
Blackb^uVand'^r.vl3 ^j;,^'^^^^™/^'™/'? i''-'''' ^^' ^»^^) '^"^^^^ts of the deaneries of
lilackburn and Leyland and such portions of the deanery of Manchester as are comprised within
any of the new parishes m the rural deoanery of Whalley. comprisea witnin
BISHOPS OF MANCHESTER SINCE THE FOUNDATION OF THE SEE.
OotnhP^r^fftiv^'n/''"''' ^TT }'^^P^P■^■'I■^■^■' *^" ^''^ '^^^^^P' ^^« nominated to the see
October 23, 1847 and consecrated at Whitehall January 23, 1848, by the Archbishop of York and
the Bishops of Chester and Worcester. He was born in 1804, and received his education at St.
Pauls School, London, and at Trmity College, Cambridge. In 1830 he became assistant master
THE EIGHT BKV. JAMES FEINOB LEE, D.D,, F.B.S., FIRST BISHOP OF MAKCHESTEB.
[From a photograph by Mr. Alfred Brolheis, Manchester.]
at Rugby under Dr. Arnold ; and in 1888 was appointed head master of King Edward's Grammar
School, Birmingham. He died at the episcopal residence, Mauldeth Hall, Burnage, December 24,
1869, aged 65, and was buried on the Slst of the same month at St. John's, Heaton Mersey.
During his episcopate he consecrated one hundred and ten new churches, exclusive of twenty
churches built and consecrated in lieu of former churches. During the same period he ordained
four hundred and seventy-one priests, and five hundred and twenty-two deacons. His library was
bequeathed to the Owens College.
The Right Reverend James Eraser, D.D., was nominated to the see January 18, 1870, and
consecrated at the Cathedral, Manchester, 2.5th March, 1870, by the Archbishop of York and the
Bishops of Chester and Ripon. He was born at Prestbury, in Gloucestershire, in 1818, and
received his education at Shrewsbury and Oxford. He died at the episcopal residence. Bishop's
Court, Higher Broughton, Manchester, October 22, 1885, and was buried at Ufton Nervet,
Berkshire, of which church he was formerly rector. During his episcopate he consecrated one
hundred and five new churches, exclusive of twenty-one new churches built and consecrated in
lieu of former churches.
47
362
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XVI.
THE RIGHT REV. JAMES ERASER, D.D., BISHOP OF MANCHESTER, lS7a-18So
[From a photograph by Messrs. Elliott and Fry, Baker Street, London.]
THE RIGHT REV. JAMES MOORHOUSE, D.D., BISHOP OP MANCHESTER.
[From a photograph by Messrs Johnston and Slianassey, Melbourne.]
CHAP. XVI.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
363
The Right Rev. James Moorhouse, D.D., third and present Bishop of Manchester, was
born at Sheffield, November 19, 1826 ; educated at the Collegiate School in that town, and at St.
John's College, Cambridge, where he took his degree of B.A. in 1853, and M.A. in 1860. He was
ordained in 1853 appointed Hulsean Lecturer in 1865, Chaplain-in-Ordinary to the Queen, 1874,
and in 1876 was consecrated Bishop of Melbourne, in Australia. He was translated from the see of
Melbourne, January 30th, 1886, and confirmed at St. James's Church, Piccadilly, London, Mav 3rd,
1886. ^ ' J >
The following table will show the extension of the Church of England in Lancashire during
the present century : —
Deanery.
POPDLATION.
No. OF Chobches.
1801.
1821.
1851.
1871.
1881.
1801.
1821.
1851.
1871.
1881.
304,231
30,461
82,806
60,892
7,506
459,621
44,583
138,184
85,807
9,145
981,084
53,641
219,115
142,675
9,404
1,307,752
60,311
322,509
174,243
9,996
1,789,703
65,958
403,986
203,123
11,521
76
14
26
39
15
81
16
28
44
15
158
25
56
65
18
231
28
69
75
18
284
29
86
80
19
\ Blackburn
f Amouuderneas
tTunstall
Total
485,896
737,340
1,405,919
1,874,811
2,474,291
170
184
322
421
498
THE DIOCESE OF LIVERPOOL.
The diocese of Liverpool was founded by order in Council, dated March 30th, 1880, pursuant to
the Bishoprics Act, 1878, an endowment fund of about £100,000 having been subscribed for the
purpose. The order came into operation on the 9th April in that year, the diocese created
consisting of the West Derby Hundred, with the exception of so much thereof as is in the diocese
of Manchester, and includes the whole of the parish of Wigan. A supplementary order, dated
August 3rd, 1880, vested the patronage of the Bishop of Chester within the diocese in the Bishop
of Liverpool, and founded twenty-four honorary canonries ; the parish church of St. Peter
being at the same time assigned as a cathedral church. Liverpool gives name to an
archdeaconry, and an archdeaconry of Warrington was formed July 21st, 1880. These two arch-
deaconries were rearranged July 14th, 1882, when that of Liverpool was divided into the rural
deaneries of Liverpool North and Liverpool South.
The church of St. Peter— the pro-cathedral— was founded in 1700, the year following that in
which Liverpool was, by Act of Parliament, severed from Walton-on-the-Hill, and constituted a
separate parish. It was erected at a cost of £3,500, and consecrated June 20, 1704, and is tradi-
tionally said to have been the first parish church built in Lancashire after the Reformation. With
the older church of St. Nicholas, the rectory of Liverpool was held in medieties, one rector being
assicrned to each church, an arrangement that continued until the first vacancy after the passing
of the Act 1 and 2 Vict. (1838), when the two churches were united in one rectory. On the
foundation of St. Peter's the patronage was purchased from Lord Molyneux, the patron of the
mother church of Walton, and vested in the corporation of Liverpool, in which body it remained
until 1836, when it was sold to John Stewart, Esq. ,, -^t
Shortly after the creation of the see of Manchester, the late Mr. Harmood Banner, who was
at the time churchwarden of St. Peter's, proposed that the building, which is devoid of architec-
tural beauty should be cleared away, and a structure worthy of becoming the cathedral of
Liverpool erected on the site, but though a good deal of interest was awakened at the time, no
practical effect was given to the suggestion. On the creation of the bishopric, m 1880, a sum of
£576 was expended in making such alterations as were necessary to adapt it to the purposes of a
temporary cathedral, but the erection of a new and more stately edificeis contemplated
The following figures will show the rate of church extension within the limits ot the diocese
UP to the time of the creation of the see : The number of churches and chapels of ease was, m
1650 37 • in 1722 38 • in 1803, 50 ; in 1850, 122 ; and in 1880, including the chapels of various
public institutions, 215. The number of benefices was, in 1880, 180 ; the number of curates, 100 ;
and the total population, 1,084,000.
364
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XVI.
The Right Rev. John Charles Ryle, D.D., the first and present bishop, was nominated to the
see on its creation in 1880. He was born at Park House, Macclesfield, received his education at
Eton and at Oxford, in which University he took a first-class in 1837, and was ordained in 1841.
He was afterwards presented to the Rectory of St. Thomas's, Winchester ; in 1844 to the Rectory
of Helmingham, in Suffolk ; in 1861 to the Vicarage of Stradbroke, in the diocese of Norwich; and
in 1880 he was nominated Dean of Salisbury, a preferment he held until his appointment to the see
of Liverpool in the same year.
THE EIGHT REV. JOHN OHAULES BYLE, D.D., FIRST BISHOP OP LIVERPOOL.
[From a photograph by Samiiel A. Walker, Regent Street) London.]
Dr. Bird, the first Bishop of Chester, anxious, as he alleges, to execute his office and duty in
planting virtue and suppressing vicious living in Manchester and its populous neighbourhood, as
well as for the maintenance of hospitality, petitioned the king, his patron, that he might be made
warden of Manchester, on allowing an annual pension to the incumbent warden.' These claims,
though not admitted by Henry VIII., were granted by his daughter Elizabeth to Dr. Chaderton,
who held the wardenship of Manchester in coTiimendavi to his bishopric.^
1 Harl. MSS. cod. 004.
^ Strype's Annals, vol. 1. p. 552.
CHAP. XVI. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE,
365
_ In the early periods of our history it was more the practice than it has been in modern times
to impose exclusive taxes upon the clergy to alleviate the burdens of their secular fellow-subjects
and hence we find in the year 1608, when insurrections prevailed amongst the people to prevent
the country from being depopulated by letting land go out of tillage into pasturage,' a rate was
imposed by George (Lloyd), bishop of Chester, upon his clergy in the counties of Lancaster and
Chester, of which impost the following is a copy, so far as relates to this county :—
"Archi(l Decanatus Cestrie I A Rayte imposed by me George Bushoppe of Chestr vpou the Clergie within the Countye of
in Com. Lancastrie /Chesshyre & Limcashyre within the Dyoces of Chestr, By vertue of I'res from the lordes grace
of loTk grounded vpon + from the lordes and others of his mates most honorable privye counsell for the fvndinge of horses
Armes & other furniture, the xsviiith of October, 1608. •' o
Wabrikgton Decanatus in Com. Lancastr. Blaokburne Deoanatus in Com. LANOASTEiiE.
Mr. Massye, pson of Wigan a light horse furnished. Mr. Moires, vicar of Blaokburne ]
Mr. Mollineuxe, pson of Walton a light horse furnished. Mr. Ormerodd, vicar of Whalley f a corslett furnished.
Mr. Turner, pson of Sephton a light horse furnished. . ^ , t,
Mr. Banister, p=on of Aughton 1 , .w • u . Amoneerness Decanatus Aeohid. Richm.
Mr. Meade vicar of Prescott [ - --'«" f--->^ed. ^^^ ^.^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^ ^^^^^^^^ ^^
Mr. Hallsall, pson of Hallsan \ a petronill furnished Mr. Paler, vicar o* Preston 1 ,., -vj
Mr. Frenche, pson of North Meales / » Pe'™!"" burnished. Mr. Norcrosse, vicar of Ribchestr [ a musket furnished.
Mr. Ambrose vicar of Ormskirke \ a caliver furnished Mr. Whyt, vicar of Poulton & 1 ,.. -uj
Mr. Hopwood, vicar of Childwall f a caliver tarnished. Mr. Greenacres, vicar of Kirkham } a musket furnished.
Mr. Lowe, vicar of Leighe \ furnished. ^^- Aynsworth, vicar of Garstange 1 a muskett
Mr. Hanson, vicar of Hayton / ™- Mr. Woolfenden, vicar of Stt Mychaells vpon Wyer / furnished
Mr. Ryder, pson of Winwicke a light horse furnished. Mr. Calvert, vicar of Cockerham 1 ,.,.,,
^ r, r, r Mr. Parker, vicar of Chippin | a caliver furnished.
Maschestee Decanatus in Com. Lanoastri.«. '^'^ '
Mr. Langley, pson of Prestwitche \ v bt 1, f ■ \. ^ Londisdatle Aeohid. Richm. in Com. Lancastr.
Mr. Watmoughe, pson of Burye j" ^ "^ht horse tumished. j^.^ j,.^^^^ ^^^^ ^j Bentham a petronel furnished.
Mr. Ashton, pson of Middleton a petronill furnished. Mr. Sawrey, pson of Halton a musket furnished.
Mr. Parker, pson of Ashton Vnderlyne a petronill furnished. Mr. Prockter, vicar of Clapham ) ,. t - r, j
Mr. Shawe, pson of Radclyffe, & \ , f„^„- ^ed ^r. Burrowe, vicar of Mellinge 1 ^ '=^''^^'' f^^'^^ed.
Mr. Whitle, vicar of Hayles j" ^ mistet turuisHea. j^^ Waterhouse, vicar of Londisdaile 1 , , , . , ,
Mr. Warden & fellowes of Manchestr Mr. Hampton, vicar of Sedbrighe J ^ musket turnished.
College a petronill furnished.
Fournes Decanatus Aechid. Richm. in Com. p'dict.
Leylande Decatus in Com. p'dict. hi- t j ■ c \- ■ \ \
Mr. Lyndoe, vicar of v rswicks |
Mr. Leighe, pson of Standiahe 1 netronill furnished ^^' ^^y' ™ar of Penington j- a musket furnished.
Mr. Rigbye, pson of Eceleston J" " ' Mr. Gardner, vicar of Dalton J
Mr. Benet, pson of Brindle J Mr. Gilpin, pson of Aldingham a corslett furnished.
Mr. Conie, vicar of Croston, & fa corslett furnished.
Mr. Brere, vicar of Leylonde ) " GEORGE CESTRIENSIS."— i^ari. MSS
As already stated, the counties of Lancaster and Chester were included in the diocese of
Lichfield and Coventry, until the creation of the see of Chester in 1541, and it is morally certain
that the Lancashire and Cheshire wills, prior to that date, were proved at Lichfield.' It is
commonly affirmed that these wills were transferred to Chester after the founding of that
bishopric, but the statement does not seem to rest on any reliable authority, and it is not
improbable that a careful search in the registry at IJchfield would show that they are still
deposited there. In 1830 returns were made from which it appeared that the date of the earliest
wills in the Consistory Court of the chancellor at Chester is 1521 (? 1541); in the rural dean's court,
1602 ; and in the commissary's court at Richmond and Lancaster, 1500 ; and that they extend to the
present time with some chasms, principally previous to the year 1600. In the years 1826, 1827, 1828,
the number of wills proved and letters of administration granted, in the diocese of Chester,
amounted— Jti the Consistory Court at Chester, in 1826, to 1722 ; in 1827, to 1689 ; in 1828, to 1805.
In the Rural Beans CouH at Chester, in 1826, to 246 ; in 1827, to 235 ; in 1828, to 124, the rural
dean's jurisdiction having been inhibited during part of the year 1828. In the Commissary's
Courts at Richmond and Lancaster, in 1826, to 475 ; in 1827, to 472 ; and in 1828, to 472. Under
the able editorship of Mr. J. P. Earwaker, M.A., F.S.A., the Record Society issued, in 1879 and
1881, two volumes, containing an Index of the Wills and Inventories now Preserved in the Court
of Probate at Chester, from 1545 to 1620, and 1621 to 1650, together with (1) a List of the
Transcripts of Early Wills Preserved in the Consistory Court, Chester , (2) a List of Wills Printed
by the Chetham Society ; (3) a List of the Wills seen and noted by the Revs. J. and G. J. Piccope,
and not now to be found at Chester; (4) a List of the Wills Preserved in the Harl. MS., 1991, in
the British Museum ; (5) a List of the Lancashire and Cheshire Wills Proved in the Prerogative
Court of Canterbury, 1650-1660; and (6) a List of the Lancashire and Cheshire Administrations
granted in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1650-1660.
Some of the early Lancasbiro and Cheshire wills were proved at the House, London, ns the old diocese of LicMeld and Coventry was under
Prerogative Court of Canterbury, and are now to be found at Somerset the jurisdiction of the Archbishop of Canterbury. -C,
366
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
OHAP, XVI.
A LIST OF LIVINGS IN THE GIFT OF THE DUCHY OP LANCASTER, WITH THE NAMES OF THE
INCUMBENTS— DECEMBER, 1886.
Name of the Living.
Rectory of Actworth
Rectory of Ashen
Rectory of Ashley
Rectory of Barwick-in-Elmet
Rectory of Beeston Regis
Rectory of Long Bennington-with-Foston
Rectory of Castleford
Vicarage of Clare
Rectory of North Coates
Rectory of Crofton
Vicarage of Dedham
Rectory of Edingthorpe
Rectory of St. Andrews, with the Vicarages of
St. Nicholas and St. Mary, Hertford
Rectory of Hertingtordbury
Rectory of Kirk-Bramweth
Rectory of Langham
Rectory of Matlaske
Rectory of Methley
Rectory of Miningsby
Vicarage of Mundon
Rectory of Mundesley
Vicarage of Needwood
Vicarage of Nidd
Rectory of Owmby
Rectory of Plumstead, with Matlaske
Rectory of Poole Keynes
Rectory of North Repps
Rectory of South Repps
Rectory of South Reston
Rectory of Sidestrand (alternate)
Rectory of North Somercotes
Rectory of South Somercotes
Rectory of Stambourne
Rectory of Stanford Rivers
Rectory of Stratford (St. Mary)
Rectory of Swafield
Rectory of South Thoresby
Rectory of Trimingham
Vicarage of Whitwiok
County.
Diocese.
York York
Essex St. Albans
Wilts, Gloucester & Bristol
York Ripon (nett)
Norfolk Norwich ...
Lincoln Lincoln
York York
Suffolk Ely
Lincoln ... Lincoln
York York
Essex St. Albans...
Norfolk Norwich ...
Hertford... St. Albans...
Hertford ... St. Albans...
York York
Essex St. Albans...
Norfolk Norwich ...
York Norwich ...
Lincoln Lincoln
Essex Rochester . . .
Norfolk Norwich ...
Stafford ... Lichfield ...
Yorkshire... Ripon
Lincoln ... Lincoln '.
Norfolk Norwich ...
Wilts, Gloucester & Bristol
Norfolk ... Norwich ...
Norfolk ... Norwich ...
Lincoln Lincoln
Norfolk ... Norwich ...
Lincoln Lincoln
Lincoln Lincoln
Essex St. Albans...
Essex St. Albans...
Suffolk Norwich ...
Norfolk Norwich ...
Lincoln Lincoln
Norfolk ... Norwich ...
Leicester ... Peterborough
Gross Value.
Incumbent's Name.
427 ...
William Marcus Falloon, M.A.
368 ...
William John Deane, M.A.
220 ...
Edmund Baskerville Mynors, M.A.
800 ...
Charles Augustus Hope, M.A.
169 ...
W. Boaworth
. 409 ...
William Barker.
560 ...
William Thomas Mainwaring Sylvester.
, 307 ...
Robert Sorsbie.
, 483 ...
Timothy Richard Matthews, B.A.
. 350 ...
Josiah Samuel Moore, M.A.
.168 .
Charles Alfred Jones, M.A.
, 269 ...
Joseph LaWBon Sisson, B.A.
280 ...
Woolmore Wigram, M.A.
. 700 ...
Frederick Burnside, M.A.
. 619 ...
William Pulsford, B.A.
. 692 ...
David Henry Ellis, LL.D., B.D.
, 399 .,.
Herbert Wynell Mayow
, 375 ...
Hon. Philip York Saville, M.A.
, 200 ...
Henry Caukwell, M.A.
. 160 ...
William Stuart, M.A.
180 ...
William Richard Croxton.
180 ...
John Edward Addison Fenwick, M.A.
John William Conway-Hughes, B.A., S.C.L,
. 315 ...
Thomas Stamford Raffles, M.A.
—
(see Matlaske).
I 250 ...
Benjamin Mallam, M.A.
, 591 ...
Samuel Francis Cresswell, D.D.
654 ...
Richard Hamond Gwyn, M.A.
101 ...
Edward Fellows, M.A.
114 ...
Forster George Simpson, B.A.
. 500 ...
James Bell, M.A.
. 600 ...
Peverel Johnson, M.A.
. 465 ...
Alfred Master, M.A.
. 750 ...
Robert RoUeston, B.A.
. 356 ...
James George Brewster, B.A.
196 ...
Frederick Simpson Thew, M.A.
. 310 ...
Basil Arthur Galland, M.A.
. 137 ...
WilUam Tatlock, M.A.
;h 250 ...
Augustus Francis ToUemache, M.A.
At the end of the year 1819 a sort of semi-ofScial return was published of the " Cathohc
Chapels, with the number of their respective congregations in the county of Lancaster," of which
the following is an epitome : — ■
Number of Chapels. Number in Confireffatious.
In the Hundred of West Derby
Hundred of Salford
Hundred of Blackburn
Hundred of Leyland
Hundred of Amounderness
Hundred of Lonsdale
Total .
32
5
10
9
16
5
77
33,200
15,880
4,500 1
6,000
12,650
1,270
73,500
PLACES OF RELIGIOUS WORSHIP IN LANCASHIRE.
One part of the official census of 18.51 was prepared under the direction of the Registrar-
General by Mr. Horace Mann, and printed separately in an octavo form in 18.53. It consists of a
report and tables, showing the number of places of religious worship of the various denominations,
and the number of sittings they contained at the time, with other particulars which we need not
specify, as those already named are all that we propose to notice in this work. In his report Mr.
Mann states that there are in England and Wales 35 different religious communities or sects — 27
native and indigenous, 9 foreign. Besides these, there are many isolated congregations of religious
worshippers, adopting various appellations ; but it does not appear that any of them is sufficiently
numerous and consolidated to be called a " sect." The following arrangement (which has been
adhered to in the table) shows these communities or sects, under certain obvious considerable and
minor classes, in the order of historical formation : — ■
i The great Catholic college of Stonyhxirst is in this hundred,
OHAP. XVI.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
367
PROTESTANT CHURCHES.
♦ British.
Church of Englaud and Ireland.
Scottish Presbj-teriaus : — Church of Scotland (its Lancashire
Presbytery is called that of Liverpool and Manchester) ;
United Presbyterian Synod ; Presbyterian Church in
England (exclusive of Unitarians).
Independents or Congregationalists.
Baptists : — General (Unitarian) ; Particular ; Seventh Day ;
Scotch ; New Connexion General (Trinitarian).
Society of Friends (or Quakers).
Unitarians.
Moravians, or United Brethren.
Wesleyan Methodists (John Wesley) : — Original Connexion
(Wesleyaus) ; New Connexion (Kilhamites) ; Primitive
Methodists ; Bible Chrisians (or Bryanites) ; Wesleyan
Association ; Independent Methodists ; Wesleyan Reformers.
Calvinistic Methodists (George Whitfield) :— Welsh Calvinistic
Methodists ; Countess of Huntingdon's Connexion.
Sandemanians, or Glassites.
New Church (Swedenborgiaus).
Brethren.
Foreign.
Lutherans.
German Protestant Reformers.
Reformed Church of the Netherlands.
French Protestants.
OTHER CHRISTIAN CHURCHES.
Roman Catholics.
Greek Church.
German Catholics.
Italian Reformers.
Catholic and Apostolic Church.
Latter-day Saints, or Mormons.
JEWS.
Mr. Mann classes " Isolated Congregations " (not connected witli any particular sect) in five
grouj)s — (1) Those in which memhers of other sects unite in worship. (2) Those based on peculiar
doctrines (Universalists, Millennarians, Predestinarians, &c.) (3) Unsectarian (Christians, New
Christians, Christ's Disciples, Free Gospel Christians, &c.) (4) Where in the returns the sect is not
particularised (as Protestant Dissenters, Dissenters, Protestant Christians, &c.) Ajid (5) Missionary
congregations. Beyond these there still remains a residue of congregations difficult to classify (as
Free Church, Inghamites, Christian Israelites, Southcottians, &c.)
Neither the census of 1861 nor those of 1871 and 1881 included any summary of the religious
denominations. That of 1851 is therefore the latest official summary of the kind, and the following
are its results as to Lancashire : —
Denomination.
1. Church of England
2. Church of Scotland
3. Presbyterian Church in England.
4. United Presbyterian Church
5. Reformed Irish Presbyterians ....
6. Independents
No. of Places of
Worship.
529
6
12
5
1
170
7. Baptists (particular 70, undefined 21 ) 100
8. Society of Friends (Quakers)
9. Unitarians
10. Moravians
11. Wesleyan Methodists
12. New Connexion do
13. Primitive do
14. Wesleyan Association do
1 5. Independent do
16. Wesleyan Reformers
17. Welsh Calvinistic Methodists
18. Lady Huntingdon's Connexion
19. New Church (Swedenborgiaus)
20. Brethren
21. Isolated Congregations
22. Roman Catholics
23 Latter-day Saints
24. Jews
27
35
2
300
27
107
81
1
4
8
11
21
5
36
114
15
7
No of Sittings.
383,466
4,510
9,090
3,115
120
80,072
34,068
8,264
12,384
1,084
107,983
11,569
25,812
25,555
30
900
5,141
4,998
5,544
970
7,466
55,610
1379
1,138
CHAPTER XVII,
Laucashire Hundreds at the time of the Conquest— Mr. Whitaker on the Old Hundreds— Newton and Warrington Hundreds
merged in the West Derby Hundred— Hundreds synonymous with Wapentakes— Institution o£ Hundreds— Made subservient
to the Security of the Persons and Property of the Subject by King Alfred— System of GoTernment, Ecclesiastical and Civil-
Statute of Winton— Enumeration of the Present Hundreds of Lancashire— Order of their Arrangement in this History—
" Eepresentatiou of the People Act, 1867"— Area and Population of County Divisions and Boroughs— The Lancashire
Boroughs created by the Act of 1867— Changes made by the Act in the Parliamentary Representation of Lancashire—
The Reform Acts of 1884-5— Changes made in the Parliamentary Representation by the Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885—
Towns and places included in the several County Divisions.
ANCASHIRE, in its southern part, designated in the Domesday Survey " Inter
RiPA & Mersham," was divided into six hundreds at the time of the Norman
Conquest — namely, Derbei, Neweton, Walintone, Blaclcebvrn, Salford, and
Lailand Hvndrets.^ To the north of the Kibble were Agemvndrenesse,
Lanesdale, and Hovgvn. Mr. Whitaker, in his " History of Manchester," thus
treats of the old hundreds : — ■
"The hundreds of the Saxons were exactly the same with the cantrefs of the Britons. The
latter consisted of a hundred townships, and the former were composed of ten tythings. These were
always considerable districts, and exist to this day the great divisions of our counties. Each of them contained a hundred free-
masters of families or, in other words, a hundred superiors of townships. And those of South Lancashire, which were sis before
the Conquest, were only three at first— Blackburne, Derby, and Salford. Newton, Warrington, and Layland, which are mentioned
equally in the Domesday Survey, appear equally, from their amallness, especially the two first, to have been merely additions to the
original number. And from a comparative view of the nature and extent of all, it is plain that Layland was taken out of
Blackburne hundred, and Warrington and Newton out of Derby. These were all denominated from the towns or villages which
were constituted the heads of their respective centuries. And those of Salford, Warrington, and Newton, Blackburne, Derby, and
Layland were so constituted, because they belonged to the crown. All of them but Newton continued in its possession as late as
the reign of the Confessor. All of them had been retained by the crown on the general partition of the country, the appointed
demesne of the royalty. And the town of Salford has, for this reason, been ever independent of the lord of Manchester, and
continues to the present time annexed to the regalities of the duchy. The whole compass of South Lancashire, which, through all
the period of the Britons, probably has contained only two cantrefs, Linuis and another, now enclosed thirty tythings, thirty
manours, and three hundred townships. The division of Salford, the only one of its three hundreds that has not been dismembered,
had just ten manors, ten tythings, and a hundred townships within its present limits. And the custom, which is retained amongst
us to this day, of making the hundred responsible for robberies committed between sun and sun, had its commencement at this
period, and was a natural appendage of the Saxon system of tythings."
There are evidently no sufficient data to determine into how many hundreds South Lancashire
was divided in the Roman period, and still less in the time of the aborigines ; but it is perfectly
clear that in the Saxon period it consisted of six hundreds, and that subsequently the hundreds of
Newton and Warrington merged in that of West Derby. Henry, a monk of Malmesbury, speaking
of the shires, says Lancashire had only five small shires — West Derbyshire, Salfordshire, Blackburn-
shire, Leylandshire, and the territory of Lancaster, which, by a common word, are called hundreds."
Hundreds, though not always corresponding, as in Lancashire, with the ancient shires, are
synonymous with wapentakes, which, according to Higden, take the name from the chief officer of
a hundred towns resuming the arms of the vassals on the lord's arrival amongst them.^
" In some places (and particularly in the northern counties) hundreds are sometimes called Wapeniahes, the reason o£ which
denomination is distinctly mentioned in the laws of Edward the Confessor,* viz., when a person received the government of a
Wapentake at the app;jinted time and usual place, the elder sort met him, and, when he was got oii' his horse, rose up to him ; then
he held up his spear and took security of all present according to custom ; whoever came touched his spear with theirs, and by this
touching of armour were confirmed in one common interest ; and thus from wcepnu, weapons, and tac, a touch, or taccare, to confirm,
they were called Wapentakes."^
As late as the fourteenth century the hundred of Salford was called a Wapentake. This appears
from the following rent-roll of the Earl of Lancaster in Salford town and hundred, 10 Edw. IL
(1316-17), extracted from "A Survey of Lonsdale," 25 Edw. 1. (1296-7), in the Tower of London :— "
* The term Jmndrcds has been variously derived, either from their ^ Lei. Coll. torn. ii. p. 397.
containing a hundred, villa (portions of ground upon each of which a ■'* Ran. Hicrden, Polychron. lib. i. do Legibus, edit. Gale, p. 202.
family was located), from their finding a hundred Fidejussores to the * Edit. Wheloc. p. 45.
king's peace, from their consisting of a hundred hides of land, or from 'Thoresby Ducat. Leodiens. p. SI.
their sending a hundred men to tJio wars. ^ Hurl. MtiS. cod. 2085, 52S b*
CHAP. XVII. THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIRE. 369
Extent [i.e. Survey] of the Lands of the Eael in the Wapentake of Lonsdale, Co. Lane, 25 Edw. I. (1296-7) on the death of
Edmund, Earl of Lancaster, &c.^—Salford Vill in the aforesaid account by the Inquisition of 10 £dv>. II. (1316-17).
Rent of assise of the ViU of Salf ord, with the rent of one toft near the bridge £6 14 9
farm of the Water-mill there !!"!.!!! 3
Toll, Stallage of the market and fair of the same place .",!!!!!!!!! 2 6 7i
Small places [or plots] there ,......". 13 If
Pleas and perquisites of the Courts 2
„, Total £12 16 6i
Salpoed Wapentake : , ;
Rent of assise of Burghton [Broughtou] £2 8
Do. of Ordesale 12
Do. of Cadeuelheued [Cadishead] ].' !!.!!!!!. 4
Do. of Scoresworth [Shoresworth] \ \, 2
Do. of Tonge 4
Farm of the land of Augustine de Barton !!'...!!!"!...'... 16
Do. of Wm. de Radchffe '.'',' ] 17 8
Do. of Roger de Mlddleton, in Chetham .'.".'...!.'.'!..'..............!... 13 4
Do. of Alice de Prestwioh, in Prestwich, Holonet, and Sholesworth [? HoUinhead and
Shoresworth] 16 8
Do. of Roger PiMngton, in Rovington 10
Do. of Geoffrey de Hulme, in Hulme 5
Do. of Alice Prestwich, in Penulbery 10
Do. of Wm. Fitz-Roger, in Radish [Reddish] 6
Do. of Rd. Pilkinton, in Chorleton [cum-Hardy] 10
Do. of Henry de Trafford 5
Do. ofRd. deByrom ". 14
Do. of Hugh Meuil [Menil], in Werkslegh [Worsley] and Hulton 10
Do. of William de Bradshagh, in Blaokrod, yearly 10
Do. of the ViU of Clifton 8
Sak-Fee of the laud of Richd. Fitz-Roger 10
Do. half the Vill of Fhxton 16
Rent of the land of John de la Ware 4 3 6
Do. Jordan de Crompton Oil
Farm of the Serjeanty of the Bailiff [or Bailiwick] there 16
Pleas and perquisites of the Court of the Wapentake there 4 7 3
Total £40 5
In 1 John (1199) the Wapentake of Salford was held by Ellas Fitz-Robert, by serjeanty.— (Rot. Chartar, 1 John m. 5.)
Rich, de Hilton held the Wapentake of Salford in serjeanty, at the will of our lord the king, in the time of Edward III., as
appears from the Testa de Slevill, p. 371 ; and at a much later date HoUinworth, in his MS., speaks of " the Vfafcntake of Salford,
where the pole is elevated 53° 24'."
The origin of the hundred divisions has been usually traced to the time of Alfred ; but probably
they may claim a higher antiquity, and were derived from the Franks or the Germans. They were
at least by his order more accurately defined than in the British and Roman periods, and by him
they were made subservient to the better administration of the laws, and the preservation of the
lives and property of the people. The government, ecclesiastical and civil, now formed itself
into a consistent and connected whole, to the perfection of which these divisions essentially
administered.
"The ecclesiastical estate," says Sir Henry Spelman, "was ffrst divided into provinces, every province into many bishopricks,
every bishoprick into many archdeaconries, every archdeaconry into divers deaneries, and every deanery into many parisnes. Ana
aU these committed to their several governors— parsons, deans, archdeacons, bishops, and archbishops— who, as subordinate one lo
the other, did not only execute the charge of their several portions, but were accountant also for the same to their superiors, iiie
temporal government was likewise divided into satrapies or dukedoms, which contained in them divers counties ; the county divers
lathes or trithings: every trithing divers hundreds, or wapentakes; every hundred divers towns °>^ lo'-dships shortly after called
baronies ; and the government of all these was committed to their several heads, viz., towns «r 'nanors to the lords thereof wto
the SaxoAs called theings, after barons ; hundreds to the lords of hundreds ; trithings or lathes ^ ^teir trith^ng-greves cou^^^^^^^
their earls or aldermen ; and large satrapies to their dukes, or chief princes, all which had subordmate authority one under the
other, and did within the precinct of their own territories minister justice unto their subjects.
In this systematic concatenation none contributed more to the well-being of society than the
government of the hundred; and, as late as the time of Edward L, an Act was passed, called the
Statute of Winton, which, amongst a number of other excellent provisions oi P°li°^' f^^'^.^f.^J.f
every hundred shall be answerable for the robberies and other offences committed withm its juris
diction, thus giving to every citizen an interest in the person and property of ^^^^ ^^^f J^^J' .^^f
later thnes thi hundred courts, which, in their early mstitution, were ^^t^nce ecclesiastical, civil,
and criminal, have sunk into courts of inferior jurisdiction; but they have still t^eiruse and
under a reformed system of laws, are made highly conducive to the public we fare^ The hundreds
of Lancashire now stand thus: (1) Salford Hundred, (2) West Derby Hundred, (3) Leylana
HunSS (4) BkckbS^ Hundred (between Ribble and Mersey); (5) Amounderness Hundred, and
(6) Lonsdale Hundred, S. and N. of the Sands (North oi Ribble).
. AS Edmund Crouchback, Earl of Lancaster, died abroad at Ventecc^t, (May) 1260, »U regnal y»m referring to him should be of Edward I.-H.
370 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xvii.
REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE ACT, 1867.
In August, 1867, " An Act further to Amend the Law Relating to the Representation of the
People in '^England and Wales " was passed, and a brief summary of such of its proYisions as
related to the county of Lancaster, and to the city and boroughs within the county, is
consequently appended. The following were the principal clauses as to the Franchise : —
3 Every man shall, in and after 1868, be entitled to be registered as a voter, and, when registered to vote for a member or
members to serve in Parliament for a borough, who is qualified as follows (that is to say) : (1) is of full age, and not subject to any
legal incapacity ; and (2) is on the last day of July in any year, and has during the whole of the precedmg twelve calendar months
been, an inhabitant occupier, as owner or tenant, of any dwelling-house within the borough ; and (3) has during the time of such
occupation been rated as an ordinary occupier in respect of the premises so occupied by him mthm the borough to all rates (if any)
made for the reUef of the poor in respect of such premises ; and (4) has before the 20th day of July in the same year bona Jide
paid an equal amount iu the pound to that payable by other ordinary occupiers in respect of aU poor-rates that have become
payable by him in respect of the said premises up to the preceding 5th day of January : Provided that no man under this section
be entitled to be registered as a voter by reason of his being a joint occupier of any dwelling-house.
i Every man shall, in and after 1868, be entitled to be registered as a voter, and, when registered, to vote [&o. as m clause 3] ;
and (2) as a lodger, has occupied in the same borough, separately and as sole tenant, for the twelve months preceding the last day
of July in any year, the same lodgings, such lodgings being part of one and the same dwelling-house, and of a clear yearly value, if
let unfurnished, of ten pounds or upwards ; and (3) has resided in such lodgings during the twelve months immediately preceding
the last day of July, and has claimed to be registered as a voter at the next ensuing registration of voters.
5. Every man shall, in and after 1868, be entitled to be registered as a voter, and, when registered, to vote for a member or
members to serve in Parliament for a county, who is qualified as follows (that is to say) : (1) is of full age, and not subject to any
legal incapacity, and is seised at law or in equity of any lands or tenements of freehold, copyhold, or any other tenure whatever, for
his own hfe, or for the life of another, or for any lives whatsoever, or for any larger estate of the clear yearly value of not leas
than £5 over and above all rents and charges payable out of or in respect of the same, or who is entitled, either as lessee or
assignee, to any lands or tenements of freehold or of any other tenure whatever, for the unexpired residue, whatever it may be,
of any term originally created for a period of not less than 60 years (whether determinable on a life or lives or not), of the clear
yearly value of not less than £5 over and above all rents and charges payable out of, or in respect of, the same : Provided that no
person shall be registered as a voter under this section unless he has complied with the provisions of the 26th section of the Act of
the second year of the reign of his majesty William IV. cap. 45.
6. Every man shall, iu and after 1868, be entitled to be registered [&c. as in clause 5] : (1) is of full age, and not subject to
any legal incapacity ; and (2J is, on the last day of July in any year, and has during the twelve months immediately preceding,
been the occupier, as owner and tenant, of lands or tenements within the county of the rateable value of £12 or upwards ; and (3)
has, during the time of such occupation, been rated in respect to the premises so occupied by him to all rates, if any, made for the
reHef of the poor in respect of the said premises ; and (4) has, before the 20th day of July in the same year, paid all poor-rates
that have become payable by him in respect of the said premises up to tbe preceding 5th day of January.
7. Where the owner is rated at the time of the passing of this act to the poor-rate in respect of a dwelling-house or other tene-
ment situate in a parish wholly or partly in a borough, instead of the occupier, his liability to be rated in any future poor-rate shall
cease, and the following enactments shall take effect with respect to rating in all boroughs : (1) After the passing of this act no
owner of any dwelling-bouse or other tenement situate in a parish either wholly or partly within a borough shall be rated to the
poor-rate instead of the occupier, except as hereinafter mentioned. (2) The full rateable value of every dwelling-house or other
separate tenement, and the full rate in the pound payable by the occupier, and the name of the occupier, shall be entered in the
rate-book. Where the dwelling-house or tenement shall be wholly let out iu apartments or lodgings not separately rated, the
owner of such dwelling-house or tenement shall be rated in respect thereof to the poor-rate : Provided as follows : (I) That
nothing in this act contained shall affect any composition existing at the time of the passing of this act, so nevertheless that no
such composition shall remain in force beyond the :i9th day of September next. (2) That nothiog herein contained shall affect any
rate made previously to the passing of this act, and the powers conferred by any subsisting act for the purpose of collecting and
recovering a poor-rate, shall remain and continue in force for the collection and recovery of any such rate or composition. (3) That
where the occupier under a tenancy subsisting at the time of the passing of this act of any dwelUng-house or other tenement which
has been let to him free from rates, is rated and has paid rates in pursuance of this act, he may deduct from any rent due or
accruing due from him, in respect of thesaid dwelling-house or other tenement, any amount paid by him on account of the rates to
which he may be rendered liable by this act.
8. Where any occupier of a dwelUng-house or other tenement (for which the owner, at the time of the passing of this act, is
rated, or is liable to be rated) would be entitled to be registered as an occupier in pursuance of this act, at the first registration of
parliamentary voters to be made after the year 1867, if he had been rated to the poor-rate for the whole of the required period,
such occupier shall, notwithstanding he may not have been rated prior to the 29th day of September 1867, as an ordinary occupier,
be entitled to be registered, subject to the following conditions : (1) That he has been duly rated as an ordinary occupier to all
poor-rates in respect of the premises, after the liability of the owner to be rated to the poor-rate has ceased, under the provisions
of this act. (2) That he has, on or before the 20th day of July, 1868, paid all poor-rates which have become payable by him as an
ordinary occupier in respect of the premises, up to the preceding 6th day of January.
9. At a contested election for any county or borough represented by three members, no person shall vote for more than two
candidates.
11. No elector who within six months before or during any election for any county or borough shall have been retained, hired,
or employed for all or any of the purposes of the election, for reward by or on behalf of any candidate at such election, as agent,
canvasser, clerk, messenger, or in other like employment, shall be entitled to vote at such election, and if he shall so vote he shail
be guilty of a misdemeanour.
12. The boroughs of Totnes, Reigate, Yarmouth, and Lancaster, io cease to return members after the end of the present
parliament.
15. Persons reported guilty of bribery or treating in Lancaster to be disqualified as voters for the northern division of the
county of Lancaster, in respect of a qualification arising within the borough of Lancaster.
Part II. of the Act related to the Distribution of Seats.
17. Boroughs in schedule A (i.e. of less population than 10,000 in 1861) to return only one member each. [No Lancashire
borough in schedule A.]
18. From and after the_ end of this present parliament the city of Manchester and the boroughs of Liverpool, Birmingham,
and Leeds, shall each respectively return three members to serve in parliament.
19. Among the new boroughs in schedule B, to return one member each, are the following i Burnley, in Lancashire, including
(as temporary contents or boundaries) the townships of Burnley and Habergham Eaves. StaXybridge, in Lancashire and Cheshire
CHAP. xvu. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE 371
moludmg the munioipal borough of Stalybridge ; the remaining portion of the township of D ukin field ; the township of Stavlev •
and the district of the local Board of Health of Mossley. ^ ''i'*Ji''y .
21. From and after the end of the present parliament, the borough of Salford shall return two members instead of one to serve
in luture parliaments.
.23. From the end of the present parliament, each county named in the first column of Schedule D shall be divided into the
clmsiong named in the second column, and (until otherwise directed by parliament) each of such divisions shall consist of the
hundreds wapentakes, and places mentioned in the third column of the schedule. Two members to serve for each division in the
second oolunin, to be chosen as if each such division were a separate count7. Schedule D includes among the counties to be divided—
JNORTH Ljncashiee into two divisions, viz., North Lancashire, including (temporarily) the hundreds of Lonsdale, Amounder.
ness and Leyland. North-Easl Lancashire, comprising the hundred of Blackburn. South Lancashire into two divisions viz
bmith-tast Lancashire, comprising the hundred of Salford ; and South- West Lancashire, comprising the hundred of West Derby
Ihe places of election for these four divisions are to be, for North Lancashire, imicasiei- ; for North-East Lancashire, BlacUurn ;
for bouth-East Lancashire, Manchester; and for South-West Lancashire, Liverpool.
Part III. of the Act contained the following clauses : —
26. Different premises occupied in immediate succession by any person as owner or tenant during the twelve calendar months
next previous to the last day of July in any year shall, unless and except as herein is otherwise provided, have the same effect in
qualifying such person to vote for a county or borough, as a continued occupation of the same premises in the manner herein
provided.
27. In a county where premises are in the joint occupation of several persons aa owners or tenants, and the aggregate rateable
value of such premises is such as would, if divided amongst the several occupiers, so far as the value is concerned, confer on each of
them a vote, then each of such joint occupiers shall, if otherwise qualified, and subject to the conditions of this act, be entitled to
be registered as a voter, and, when registered, to vote at an election for the county : Provided always that not more than two
persons, being such joint occupiers, shall be entitled to be registered in respect of such premises, unless they shall have derived the
same by descent, succession, marriage, marriage-settlement, or devise, or unless they shall be honafide engaged as partners carrying
on trade or business thereon.
28. Where any poor rate due on the fifth day of January in any year from an occupier, in respect of premises capable of
conferring the franchise for a borough, remains unpaid on the first day of June following, the overseers^ whose duty it may be to
collect such rate, shall, on or before the twentieth of the same month of June, unless such rate has previously been paid, or has
been duly demanded by a demand-note, to be served in like manner as the notice in this section referred to, give or cause to be
given a notice in the form set forth in Schedule (E) to this act to every such occupier. The notice shall he deemed to be duly given
if delivered to the occupier or left at his last or usual place of abode, or with some person on the premises in respect of which the
rate is payable. Any overseer who shall wilfully withhold such notice, with intent to keep such occupier off the list or register of
voters for the said borough, shall be deemed guilty of a breach of duty in the execution of the registration acts.
30. The following regulations shall, in and after 1868, be observed with respect to the registration of voters : (1) The overseers
of every parish or township shall make out, or cause to be made out, a list of all persons on whom a right to vote for a county, in
respect of the occupation of premises, is conferred by this act, in the same manner, and subject to the same regulations, as nearly as
circumstances admit, in and subject to which the overseers of parishes or townships in boroughs are required by the registration acts
to make out, or cause to be made out, a list of all persons entitled to vote for a member or members for a borough in respect of the
occupation of premises of a clear yearly value of not less than ten pounds. (2) The claim of every person desirous of being
registered as a voter for a member or members to serve for any borough in resepcot of the occupation of lodgings shall be in the
form numbered 1 in Schedule (G), or to thehke effect, and shall have annexed thereto a declaration in the form, and be certified
in the manner in the said schedule mentioned, or as near thereto as circumstances admit ; and every such claim sball, after the last
day of July and on or before the twenty -fifth day of August in any year, be delivered to the overseers of the parish in which such
lodgings shall be situate, and the particulars of such claim shall be duly published by such overseers on or before the first day of
September next ensuing in a separate list, according to the form numbered 2 in the said Schedule (G). So much of section 18 of the
act of the session of the sixth year of the reign of her present Majesty, chapter 18, as relates to the manner of publishing lists of
claimants, and to the delivery of copies thereof to persons requiring the same, shall apply to every such claim and list ; and all the
provisions of the 38th and 39th sections of the same act, with respect to the proof of the claims of persons omitted from the lists of
voters, and to objections thereto, and to the hearing thereof, shall, so far as the same are applicable, apply to claims and objections,
and to the hearing thereof, under this section. .
The remaining clauses relate chiefly to election arrangements and the settlement of borough boundaries.
Clause 36 provides that "it shall not be lawful for any candidate, or anyone on his behalf, at any election for any borough,
except the several boroughs of East Retford, Shoreham, Cricklade, Much Wenlock, and Aylesbury, to pay any money on account of
the conveyance of any voter to the poll, either to the voter himself or to any other person ; and if any such candidate, or any
person on his behalf, shall pay any money on account of the conveyance of any voter to the poll, such payment shall be deemed to
be an illegal payment within the meaning of the Corrupt Practices Prevention Act, 1854."_ , , ,, „ ^ ,
Clause 49 runs as follows : " Any person, either directly or indirectly, corruptly paying any rate on behalf of any ratepayer for
the purpose of enabling him to be registered as a voter, thereby to influence his vote at any future election and any candidate or
other person, either directly or indirectly, paying any rate on behalf of any voter for the purpose of inducing him to vote, or refrain
from voting, shall be guilt/of bribery, and be punishable accordingly ; and any person on whose behalf and with whose privity any
such payment as in this section is mentioned is made shall also be guilty of bribery, and punishable according y.
The duties of the Boundary Commissioners are thus defined by clause 48 : " They shall, immediately after the passmg of this
act proceed by themselves or by assistant-commissioners appointed by them, to inquire into the temporary boundaries of every
borough constituted by this act, with power to suggest such alterations therem as they may deem expetont ; they shall a so inquire
into the boundaries of every other borough in England and Wales, except such boroughs as are disfranchised by this act, with a
vlw to asceSn whethir the boundarief should be enlarged, so as to include within the imits of the borough all premises which
ougU due regard being had to situation or other local circumstances, to be included therein for the purpose of conferring upon the
Siers thereof the parliamentary franchise for such borough ; they shall also inquire into the divisions of counties as constituted
WWs act and as to the places appointed for holding courts for the election of members for such divisions, with a view to ascertain
wLtherhav°ng regard to the natural and legal divisions of each county, and the distribution of the popu ation therein, any and
what alterationf should be made in such divisions or places ; and the said Commissioners shall,^ with all practicable despatch, report
toone of HcTm"^ Secretaries of StL upon the several matters in this section referred to them, and their report
'^'"Ttfol''^ris''tfJ general saving clause : "56. The franchises conferred by this act shall be in addition to and not in sub-
stitution for aTv existfngTranch ses ; but so that no person shall be entitled to vote for the same place in respect of more than one
SSti^rTu^S&eprov^^^^^^^
:h^Kin i;t1rfor?e,t:d^:i^r?pTa"V^^^^^^^^^ ^A' ^^..^ to vote, and sh.U a..
372 THE HISTORl OF LANCASHIRE. chap. xvii.
apply to any constituency hereby authorised to return a member or members to parliament, as if it had heretofore returned such
members to parliament and to the franchises hereby conferred, and to the registers of voters hereby required to be formed.
60 In the event of a vacancy in the representation of any constituency, or of a dissolution of parliament takmg place, and a
writ or writs being issued, before the 1st January, 1869, for the election of members to serve in the present or any new Parliament,
each election shall take place in the same manner in all respects as if no alteration had been made by this act m the franchises of
electors or in the places authorised to return a member or members to serve in parliament, with this exception, that the boroughs
bv this 'act disfranchised shall not be entitled to return members to serve in any such new parliament. _
In the interpretation clause it is provided that " dwelling-house shall include any part of a house occupied as a separate
dwelling, and separately rated to the relief of the poor.''
The following are some, particulars, derived from Parliamentary and population returns, in
reference to the four divisions of the county, under the Act, and all the boroughs, old and new
(the latter in italics), in Lancashire : —
North Lancashire. — Area, 8367 sq. miles, exclusive of boroughs except the borough of
Lancaster (47 sq. miles), -which is included in the above area.
North-East Lancashire.— Area, 247'1 sq. miles. The new borough of Burnley (9 '6 sq.
miles) is not included in this area.
South-East Lancashire.— Area, 314 sq. miles. Part of the new borough of Stalybridge
(0-9 sq. mile) is not included in this area.
South-West Lancashire.— Area, 379-8 sq. miles. The new borough oi St. Helens' (9-2 sq.
miles) is not included in this area.
Taking the old division of the county into two only. North and South Lancashire, the following
shows the population of each of the old boroughs within such division in 1851 and 1861, and its
increase or decrease ; also its gross estimated rental in 1856 and 1865, its increase or decrease, and
the number of memlaers it sends : —
NORTH LANCASHIRE.
Blackburn (two members).— Population in 1851, 46,536 ; in 1861, 63,126 ; increase, 16,590. Gross rental in 1856, £126,378 ;
in 1865, £176,451 ; increase, £50,078.
Clitheroe (one member). — Population, 11,480 and 10,864 ; decrease, 616. Rental, £34,578 and £45,327 ; increase, £10,749.
Lancaster (two members). — Population, 16,168 and 16,005 ; decrease, 163. Rental, £50,435 and £56,285 ; increase, £5,850
[Disfranchised by the Act of 1867.]
Preston (two members).— Population, 69,542 and 82,985 ; increase, 18,443. Rental, £211,600 and £244,056 ; increase, £32,458
SOUTH LANCASHIRE.
Ashton-under-Ltne (one member). — Population, 29,791 and 33,917 ; increase, 4,126. Rental, £81,975 and £105,590 ;
increase, £23,615.
Bolton (two members).— Population, 61,171 and 70,395 ; increase, 9,224. Rental, £179,882 and £226,476 ; increase, £47,594.
Burt (one member).— Population, 31,262 and 37,563; increase, 6,301. Rental, £112,884 and £131,595 ; increase, £18,711.
Liverpool (three members).— Population, 375,955 and 443,938 ; increase, 67,983< Rental, £1,680,824 and £2,655,888 ;
increase, £975,064.
Manchester (three members).— Population, 316,213 and 357,979 ; increase, 41,706. Rental, £1,427,600 and £1,676,785 ;
increase, £249,185.
Oldham (two members).— Population, 72,357 and 94,344 ; increase, 21,987. Rental, £192,594 and £450,407 ; increase, £257,813.
Rochdale (one member).— Population, 29,195 and 38,184 ; increase, 8,989. Rental, £110,096 and £141,244 ; increase, £31,148.
Salford (two members).— Population, 85,108 and 102,449 ; increase, 17,341. Rental, £348,841 and £401,707 ; increase, £52,866.
;"■ Warrington (one niember).— Population, 23,363 and 26,947 ; increase, 3,584. Rental, £77,762 and £86,741 ; increase, £20,832.
WiGAN (two members).— Population, 31,941 and 37,658 ; increase, 5,717. Rental, £77,762 and £95,555 ; increase, £17,793.
The total population of North Lancashire (inclusive of four represented boroughs) was 460,530
and 547,469 ; increase, 86,939. Rental, £1,727,977 and £2,287,130 ; increase, £559,153.
The population of South Lancashire (inclusive often represented boroughs) was 1,557,067 and
1,871,030 ; increase, 313,963.= Rental, £6,471,124 and £9,046,578 ; increase, £2,575,454.
THE LANCASHIRE BOROUGHS CREATED BY THE ACT OF 1867.
1. Burnley included the township of Burnley (population 19,971, in 3,515 inhabited houses),
and the township of Habergham Eaves (with a population of 18,013, in 3,369 inhabited houses).
Total population of new borough 37,984, in 6,884 inhabited houses.
2. Stalybridge included the municipal borough of Stalybridge (with a population of 24,921,
in 4,864 inhabited houses) and the remaining portions of the townships of Dukinfield (15,024
persons, in 3,086 houses) and of Stayley (2,986, in 573 houses) and the district of the Local Board
of Health of Mossley, of which the population (taken from "The Board of Health Officers'
Almanack, 1867 ") was 14,000, but the number of inhabited houses is not known. With this
modification the total population of the new borough was 56,931, in 8,523 houses, exclusive of
those in the Mossley district.
' St. Helens was not made a new borougti by the Act of 1867. — C. division, and inclusive of parts of Latchford and Thelwall (population,
" This is exclusive of Heaton Norris (population, 13,838 ; gross rental, 2,897 ; and gross rental, £9,185), comprised in the borough of Warrington,
£43,953), in the borough of Stockport, North Cheshire, and situate in this and situate in North Cheshire.
CHAP. XVII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 373
The following will show the changes in the representation of this county and of its boroughs
made by the Act of 1867 :—
County Members.
1866. 1868.
North LanoaBhire 2 -f ^°i;*\ L™''*^^?"''^ 2
(.JN.E. Lancashxre 2
South Lancashire S-f^-J^; Lancashire '..Z''.'. 2
(. B.W. Lancashire 2
County Members 5 , g
CiTz AND Borough Members.
Ashton-under-Lyne 1 1
Blackburn 2 2
Bolton 2 2
Bury 1 1
Clitheroe 1 1
Lancaster 2 Disfranchised
Liverpool 2 3
Manchester 2 3
Oldham 2 2
Preston 2 2
Rochdale 1 1
Salford 1 2
Warrington 1 1
Wigan 2 2
Kew Boroughs.
Burnley 1
Sialybridge 1
Borough Members 22 25
The total representation of Lancashire in county and borough members was in 1866, 27 ; in
1867, by the new Act, it was increased to 33. The increase was three additional county and three
additional borough members. It was expected that St. Helens would be one of the new boroughs,
but it was not included in the new Act.
The following were the appointments (Aug. 1867) of the Assistant Boundary Commissioners,
and their districts, so far as they related to Lancashire : —
North-Western (two sub-districts, 22 inquiries).— Sub-district A, comprising boroughs of Clitheroe, Burnley (new), Blackburn,
Preston, Rochdale, Bury, Bolton, and Wigan. Counties to be divided. North Lancashire and South Lancashu-e (10 inquiries).
Lieut. Hozier, 2nd Life Guards. | Mr. F. VV. Gibbs.
Sub-district B comprising the boroughs of Liverpool, Manchester, Salford, Ashton-under-Lyne, Oldham, Birkenhead, Chester,
Stockport, Macclesfield, Warrington, and Stalybridge (new). County to be divided, Cheshire (12 inquiries).
Lieutenant- Colonel Gordon, R.E., C.B. I Mr. P. Cumin.
THE REFORM ACTS 1884 and 1885.
Further Acts to amend the law relating to the representation of the people of the United
Kingdom were passed in 1884 and 1885. These Acts—" The Representation of the People Act,
1884" and "The Redistribution of Seats Act, 1885 "—together form the third of the great
changes in the constitution of the House of Commons which have taken place withm the present
century The first of these important statutes, which received the Royal assent December 6, 1884,
establishes a uniform household franchise and a uniform lodger franchise (as enacted by Sees. 3 and
4 of the Representation of the People Act, 1867) in all counties and boroughs throughout the
United Kingdom; creates (by Sec. 3) what has been called the " service franchise whereby an
inhabitant, by virtue of any office, service, or employment, of a dwelling-house not inhabited by
his master becomes entitled to vote as if he were the tenant ; declares that no fresh qualifications
can in future be created by means of rent charges; prohibits for_ the future the manufacture of
fasrot votes and provides for their gradual extinction, while reserving to present fagot voters their
personal right to vote; and makes the occupation of ^njland or tenement (formerly land alone
would not fuffice in a borough) of £10 annual value a sufficient qualification m either borough or
countv The £50 occupation franchise in counties is abolished as unnecessary. Overseers are
required to ascertain by service of notices on rated occupiers, and to enter m a separate column m
the rate book the names of all male inhabitant occupiers other than the person rated who are
entitled to be registered as inhabitant occupiers of a dwellmg-house.
The Redistribution of Seats Act received the Royal assent on the 25th of June, 1885. The
cardinal principles upon which it is based are as follow:—
374
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE.
CHAP. XVII
1. The total number of members is raised from 652 to 670. The true complement of the'Houst' of Commons was previously
658 but six seats — four in England and two in Ireland — were disfranchised in 1869.
' 2. Of the eighteen additional seats six are given to England and twelve to Scotland, the previous representation of Wales and
Ireland remaining unchanged. j ■ ii
3. Boroughs having less than 15,000 inhabitants cease to return membei-3 to Parliament, and are merged m tlie county
divisions To this rule there are two exceptions— the borough of Warwick, which is added to Leamington, the joint borough having
upwards of 15,01 inhabitants ; and Haverfordwest, which, instead of being merged in the county, is added, for Parliamentary
purposes, to the Pembroke district.
4. Boroughs with less than 50,000 inhabitants in 1881 return only one member to Parliament.
5. Boroughs with populations varying from 50,000 to 165,000 return two members.
6. Boroughs with more than 165,000 are granted an adflitional member for about every 50,000.
7' Boroughs and counties returning more than one member are divided into two divisions, each division returning one
member. Boroughs which have hitherto returned two members, and whose representation remains unchanged by the Act, are
exempted from this rule. ...
8. The adoption of the above scale, as regards disfranchisement, made available 160 seats for redistribution. These, together
with the eighteen additional seats, made a total of 178 disposable seats.
9. Of these 178 seats, ninety-six were given to county constituencies and eighty-two to the boroughs.
10. The Metropolitan boroughs (including Croydon and West Ham) were increased from twenty-two to sixty-two members.
Among the various minor provisions of the Act may be mentioned —
Divided Boroughs. — A voter is not allowed to vote in more than one division of these boroughs, and the elections in all the
divisions are held on the same day.
Divided ConNTiES. — Each of the new divisions is treated as a separate constituency, and therefore a voter having property in
more than one division is able to vote in each division in which he is registered.
Successive Occupation of premises in the same Parliamentary borough qualifies a person to be registered as a voter, notwith-
standing that they may be in different divisions ; but a change of occupation from one borough to another, or from a county to a
borough, or vice versd, or from one division of a county to another, vitiates the qualification for the year.
Returning Officers. — In new boroughs, with a few exceptions, the returning officer — where there is no mayor — is appointed
by the sheriif of the county, and must have an office within the borough. Returning officers in divided boroughs may appoint
deputies.
Paid Agents, Clerks, (fee, if appointed in any division of a divided borough, are prohibited from voting in any other division
of the same borough.
County Elections are held in such town as the magistrates in quarter sessions may appoint.
Corrupt Voters, reported as guilty of ofiences at the election of 1880, are incapable for seven years of being registered as
voters for the borough (or for the county division, if it has been merged therein) in respect of property within the borough.
Under the provisions of the Act the aggregate representation of Lancashire was increased
from 33 to 57 members. The borough of Clitheroe was merged in its division of the county, and
Wigan was deprived of one member ; six additional members were given to Liverpool, three to
Manchester, and one to Salford ; and Barrow-in-Furness and St. Helens were created Parliamentary
boroughs, and assigned one member each. By the same Act the county was divided into twenty-
three separate constituencies returning one member each.
The representation of the county of Lancaster and its boroughs is now as follows : —
CouNir.
North Lancashire.
Divisions.
North Lonsdale
Lancaster
Blackpool
Chorley
Members.
1
1
1
1
North-East Lancashire.
Darwen
Clitheroe ...
Accrington
Rossendale
South-East Lancashire.
Westhought on
Hey wood
Middleton
RadcliSe-cum-Farnworth
Divisions.
Eccles
Stretford ..
Gorton ... .
Preatwich . . .
South-East Lancashire — cont.
Southport..
Ormskirk .
Bootle
Widues ....
Newton
luce
Leigh
South- ^Yest Lancashire.
Members.
1
1
1
1
Total .
Boroughs.
Ashton-under-Lyiie.
Barrow-in-Furness .
Blackburn
Bolton
Burnley
Bury
Liverpool ...
Manchester
Oldham ...
-Preston
Rochdale ...
St. Helens...
Salfoid
Warrington
Wigan
1
23
2
1
1
3
1
1
3i
County Members .
Borough Members .
23
34
57
CHAP. XVII. THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE. 8^5
The Parliamentary borough of Stalybridge is located partly in Lancashire and partly in
Cheshire.
Towns and Places included in the Sevekal County Divisions,
north lancashire.— four divisions.
1. NoKTH Lonsdale DmsiON.— The sessional divisions of Barrow-in-Furness, Hawkshead, and North Lonsdale (including
Cartmel), and the parishes m the sessional divisions of South Lonsdale, of Bolton-le-Sands, Borwick, Carnforth, Dalton Nether
Kellet, Over Kellet, Priest Button, Silverdale, Warton-with-Lindelh, Yealand-Conyers, and Yealand-Redmayne. '
2. Lancaster Division.— The sessional divisions of Garstang, Hornby, and South Lonsdale (except so much as is comprised in
Division 1, as above described), and the municipal borough of Lancaster.
3. Blackpool Division.— The sessional divisions of Amounderness, Kirkham, and Leyland (except so much as is comprised
in Division 4, as below described), and the municipal borough of Preston.
4. Chohlet Division,— The sessional division of Leyland Hundred, and the parishes in the sessional division of Leyland,
of Clayton-le- Woods, Cuerden, and Leyland.
NORTH-EAST LANCASHIRE.— FOUR DIVISIONS.
5. Darwen Division.— The sessional divisions of Blackburn (except so much as is comprised in Division 7), Darwen, and
Waltou-le-Dale, the municipal boroughs of Blackburn and Over Darwen, and the parishes in the sessional division of Clitheroe, of
Aighton Bailey and Chaigley, Little Bowland, Chipping, and Leagram, and Thornley-with-Wheatley.
6. Clitheroe Division.— The sessional divisions of Burnley (except the parish of Hapten), Clitheroe (except so much as is
. comprised in Division 5), and Colne, and the municipal boroughs of Burnley and Clitheroe.
7. AocElNGTON Division.— The municipal borough of Accringtou, and the parishes of Altham, Church, Clayton-le-Moors,
Hapton, Huucoat, Oswaldtwistle, and Kishton.
8. RossENDALE DIVISION. — The sessional division of Rossendale, and so much of the municipal borough of Baoup as is not
included in the sessional division of Rossendale.
SOUTH-EAST LANCASHIRE.— EIGHT DIVISIONS.
9. Westhouqhton Division.- — The sessional division of Bolton (except so much as is comprised in Division 12) and the
municipal borough of Bolton.
10. Heywood Division. — The sessional division of Bury (except so much as is comprised in Divisions 11 and 12), the municipal
boroughs of Bury and Heywood, and so much of the parish of Spotland as is not included in the Local Government district of
Whitworth, or in the municipal borough of Bacup, or in the municipal borough of Rochdale.
11. MiDDLETON Division. — The sessional division of Middleton (except so much of the parish of Spotland as is included in
Division 10, or in the municipal borough of Bacup, the municipal borough of Rochdale), and the parishes of Alkrington and
Tonge, and in the sessional division of Bury so much of the parish of Hopwood as is not included in the municipal borough of
Heywood.
12. RADOLrFFE-cuM-FAKNWORTH DIVISION. — The parishes in the sessional division of Bolton, Farnworth, Kear.sley, and Little
Hulton, and in the sessional division of Bury, the parish of Pilkington, and so much of the parish of Radcliffe as is not included in
the municipal borough of Bury.
13. EocLES Division. — The parishes of Barton-upon-Irwell, Clifton, Flixton, Urmston, and Worsley, and so much of the
parish of Pendlebury as is not within the municipal borough of Salford.
14. Stretford Division. — The municipal boroughs of Manchester and Salford, and so much of the municipal borough of
Stockport as is situate within the county of Lancaster and the parishes of Bradford, Burnage, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Didsbiiry,
Harpurhey, Levenshulme, Moss Side, Newton, Reddish, Rusholme, Stretford, and Withington, and so much of the parish of Heaton
Norria as is not included in the municipal borough of Stockport.
15. Gorton Division. — The parishes of Denton, Haughton, and Openshaw, and so much of the parish of Gorton as is not
included in the Parliamentary borough of Manchester.
16. Prestwich Division. — The municipal boroughs of Ashton-under-Lyne and Oldham, and the parishes of Blaokley,
Chadderton, Crompton, Crumpsall, Droylsden, Pailsworth, Great Heaton, Little Heatou, Moston, Prestwich, and Royton, and so
much of the parish of Ashton-under-Lyne as is not included in the municipal borough of Ashton-under-Lyne.
SOUTH-WEST LANCASHIRE.— SEVEN DIVISIONS.
17. SouTHroRT Division. — The sessional division of Southport, the municipal borough of Southport, and the parishes of Great
Crosby, Ince-Blundell, Little Crosby, and Thornton.
18. Ormskirk Division — The sessional division of Ormskirk, and the parishes of Aintree, Dalton, Kirkby Litherland, Lunt,
Netherton, Orrell and Ford, Sefton, and Upholland, and, in the Prescot sessional division, of Croxteth Park, Knowsley, and Prescot.
19. BooTLE Division. — The municipal boroughs of Liverpool and Bootle-cum-Linacre, and the parishes of Child wall,
Fazakerley, Walton-on-the-Hill, and Wavertree, and so much of the parishes of West Derby and Toxteth Park as is not included in
the municipal borough of Liverpool. ,.,.,, , , . • j •
20 WiDNES Division.— The sessional division of Prescot (except the parish of RainhiU, and so much as is comprised in
Divisions 18 and 21) and the parishes of AUerton, Garston, Hale, Halewood, Little Woolton, Much Waolton, and Speke.
21 Newton Division.— The sessional divisions of St. Helens and Warrington, the municipal borough of St. Helens, and so
much of the municipal borough of Warrington as is situate within the county of Lancaster, and the parishes of Ashton-m-Makerfield,
BiUinge, Higher End, RainhiU, and Winstanley, and so much of tlie parish of Eecleston as is comprised in the sessional division of
22.' INCE DrcisioN.- The municipal borough of Wigan, and the parishes of Abram, Haigh, Hindley, Ince-in-Makerfield, Orrell,
and Pemberton.
23. Leigh Division.— The sessional division of Leigh.
APPENDICES.
APPENDIX I.
THE SUCCESSION IN THE DUCHY OF LANCASTER
(Abridged from Hargrave MSS. Brit. Mub. Cod. 327, fol. 1-50.)
The Address of the late Vffliers, Lord Hyde, afterwards Earl of Clarendon in the Duchy of Lancaster.
Janry 20 1772 '^° ^^^ ^^™^ ^^ ^^^ Majesty's moat dutiful subject and servant,— Hyde.
A LIST [abridged] of those who have held the Duohy of Lancaster under different titles of honour, succinctly showing the
augmentation, the decline, and the present state of the Duchy.
Three Noblemen almost of the highest distinction bore the title of Lord of the Honor of Lancaster. Lord of an Honor was a
dignity superior to that of Lord of a Manor, and in use before the Conquest. The Honor of Lancaster was of the most remote
antiquity. It was composed of a number of Honors long before it was raised to an earldom, as it was successively to a dukedom
'■■ -"og^"^ Of , ''^*°" ^'^"''^ ^^'> ^"* ™s deprived of his possessions for his disloyalty, which he probably inherited from his
WiUiam n " J>^o°tgo™ery, who got Arundel, Chichester, and the county of Salop from William L, and rebelled against
2. WiUiam, Earl of Montaigne, Surry and Warren, third son of King Stephen, was nest appointed Lord of the Honor of
Lancaster, and put m possession of other considerable estates by his father. But Henry II. resumed what this royal earl held of
the crown, and left him what came from his father before his father was king.
_ 3. John, surnamed Sansterre, notwithstanding his name, became, as Hovenden says, a tetraroh. His brother, Eiehard I., not
weighing, as his father did, prudence against generosity, rendered him, who from ambition was too desirous of dominion, powerful
by territories ; he rebeUed accordingly against his benefactor, as he had done against his father, and was the murtherer of his
nephew Arthur.
4. After King John, the Honor of Lancaster was raised to an earldom. Peter of Savoy, uncle to Queen Eleonora, wife of
Henry III., was created by^that king Earl of Lancaster. John, his predecessor, was, indeed, in the enumeration of his titles, called
Earl of Lancaster as a king's son, who by the ancient laws of the crown were, aa is reported, earls of course, without any particular
creation or investiture. Part of the territories belonging to this earldom lay near the new temple, London. It was called a
Vavasorie. Here the said earl Peter built a house, and named it from his own country "Savoy." His son being deemed an alien,
the earldom escheated to the crown, and Henry III. conferred it on his sou.
5. Edmond, called Crouehback, probably from his wearing a crouch or cross on his back, as was often done by votaries to
pilgrimages. His mother was Eleanor, the second of the five daughters of the Earl of Provence. All of them were married to real
or titular kings. From this prince is descended the royal house of Lancaster, rival to that of York. Their contest was of the
longest duration and the most bloody that ever afflicted this nation. His father bestowed on him the titles and estates of Montford,
Earl of Leicester, of Ferrars, Earl of Derby, and of John, Earl of Monmouth. He also inherited, by the will of his first wife Avelina,
the succession of her father William, surnamed De Fortibus, Earl of Albemarle. Edmond was declared high steward of England,
and procured a licence of Edward I. to turn his house (the Savoy) into a castle. Castles had distinction, rights, and powers, which
houses or even manors had not. Sir William Fleetwood ranks an honor before a castle, a castle before a lordship, a. lordship before
a manor, and a manor before a messuage. The possessions of this earl were equal to some kingdoms. His second wife was Blaunoh
of Artois, the beautiful Queen of Navarre, niece to Saint Lewis, King of France, by whom he had three sons.
6. Thomas, the eldest, succeeded to his titles and estates, and was consequently Earl of Lancaster by inheritance. He was
made chief of Edward II. 's privy council, but after many mutual disgusts and reconciliations he took arms against him, or rather
against the Spencers, was defeated at Borough Bridge, and beheaded at Pontefract after he had underwent the scoffs of the Royalists
for taking, as it was pretended he did in a letter to the Scotch, the title of King Arthur. He married Alice, daughter of Henry de
Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, and added in her right the estate of Lincoln and Salisbury to his immense patrimony.
7. His brother Henry became entitled to such part only of his possessions and honours as had been settled upon him by the
king, in case the last earl should die without issue, which he did ; and though the king afterwards considerably increased his estates
by grants, yet he kept the greater share of the property of the late earl, which had been forfeited by his attainder. Henry further
increased his estates by a large fortune with his wife Maud, heiress to her father Sir Richard Chaworth and to other relations ; by
which acquisitions the Earls of Lancaster grew very considerable in Wales.
8. His son Henry, who had been created Earl of Derby and Lincoln in his father's lifetime, succeeded to his estates and honours.
He added dignity to his illustrious family. He was the first Duke of Lancaster, and the second of our nobility raised to the ducal
title. The Duke of Cornwall stood before him. By his patent of creation in the 25 of Edward III. (1351), the king created the
county of Lancaster into a palatinate, and granted the duke jura regalia in that county and many other privileges. The grant by
this charter was only for his life, so all these distinctions, with his dukedom, ceased at his death in 1861. In the 25th year of that
reign (1351) the duke obtained in exchange for Richmondahire divers and large domains in the counties of York, Durham, Notting-
ham, Derby, Sussex, and Norfolk. But shortly before his death (23rd of March. 1361) he surrendered many of his privileges to the
crown, which were afterwards granted to John of Gaunt.
9. John of Gaunt married his daughter Blanch, and made the house of Lancaster more royal. Maud, her eldest sister, dying
without issue, all the Lancaster dominions devolved to this prince, who was first created Earl and afterwards Duke of Lancaster by
his father Edward III.; which king, the 28th February, in the 61st year of his reign (1377), instituted, for the higher dignity of
his son, a chancery, justices for the pleas of the crown, as well as for common law, jura regalia, and power of execution of writs and
offices, and all other powers which were exerted by the Earl of Chester in his county palatine, but limited this institution to the
duke's life which ended in 1361.^ The like privileges, with the same limitations, had been granted to Henry Duke of Lancaster ;
but in the'lS of Richard II. (1389-90), the second duke, John, petitioned the king and Parliament at Gloucester that the late king's
' Sic in edition of 1835, It must, however, be 1399, the date of John of Gaunt's death, that is intonaed.— B. H,
49
378 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX I.
erant to him miKht be extended to his heu-s-male, and tlie king, by charter, with the assent of Parliament, extended it according to
the nraver of th? petition. He also obtained from King Richard a grant and release of all the forfeited estates which came to the
crown by the attakider of Thomas Earl of Lancaster. This duke had his council in Lancashire betore the grant to him of jumregaha,
and™ the grants and leases from the duke it is styled " Thrice Noble Council of the Thrice Noble Duke of Lancaster,' &c His
council likewise took cognisance of land there before the last foundation or confirmation of the palatinate. He married, after the
deaXof Blanch, Constantia, daughter of Peter, King of Castile, and took his father-m-law's title, but ceded it afterwards by
contract, Tnd wa's by Act of Parliament created Duke of Aquitaine. His recited titles are, son of tlie king, Duke of Aquitaine and
Lancaster Earl of Derby, Lincoln, and Leicester. His estates were greatly augmented by his father, who, in the 50th year of his
rei-m (1376), granted to him and his heirs large domains in Hertfordshire, and at Calais, in France. , •, -o v
10 On his death, his son Henry de Bolingbroke, Duke of Lancaster, returned just as it was pronounced by a packed Parliament
that Ms banishment 'should be perpetuah At first he only claimed his legaHnheritance ; but finding a we^^^^
duchv and decrees that it shall be governed by its own officers, which were at that time a cha,ncellor, an attorney-general, a
receiver or treasurer, a clerk of the court, six assessors, twenty-three receivers, and three supervisors But this is not the first
institution of the duchy court, as has been erroneously imagined. The same was granted to Henry, the first^ Duke of Lancaster
and repeated in the charter or rescript of Edward III. for creating John of Gaunt Duke of Lancaster, and also m thatof tte ISth of
Richard II (1-389) for extending the title and estates to his heirs-male. It has, indeed, been preserved from this reign, with little
variation, to the present time. Henry IV. was so jealous of his dukedom and so zealous to preserve it that he settled it on his son,
to save the title from being absorbed in that of king. ,, , , ^ „, j uj. ju- /■
11 Henry V enlarged (with the assent of Parliament) the dukedom by his mother s estate. She was daughter and heiress of
Humphrey de Bohun Earl or Hereford, whose estates were of great extent and value, and were situate chiefly m the counties of
Essex Middlesex Cambridge, Norfolk, Lincoln, Bucks, Wilts, Sufl'olk, Surrey, Gloucester, Dorset, Hereford, and m the City of
London and Marches of Wales. In this reign an Act of Parliament passed declaring that all grants of offices and estates in the
duchy should pass under the duchy seal or should be void. , , x- i, , t j- i i-
12. His successor Henry VI. did nothing of himself, and was made to do nothing worthy of notice that 1 can discover relating
13. Tlie rio-ht to the dukedom next descended to John Beaufort, Earl of Somerset, son of Catherine Swinford, third wife of
John of Gaunt,°Dake of Lancashire, whose children by her before their marriage were legitimated in 20 Richard II. (1396) by Act
of Parliament. But Edward IV. deemed the title and estate forfeited by the attainder of Henry VI., and by an Act of Parhament
united the estates, " appropriated " is the expression in the act, to the crown, yet decreed at the same time that the ofBce should
remain on its former estabhshment. Until this period the office of chancellor of the county palatine was distinct from that of
chancellor of the duchy, though often held by the same person ; nevertheless the chancellor of the county palatine was always
subservient to the chancellor of the duchy, by whom all grants of offices and lands, as well in the county palatine as in the duchy
at large, were made ; and if the county palatine seal was necessary to the completing the grant, the chancellor of the county
affixed it by virtue of a warrant from the chancellor of the duchy. By this act the county palatine was annexed to the duchy, and
the chancellor of the duchy hath ever since held the office of chancellor of the county palatine, executing the latter by his deputy
or vice-chancellor. In the 12th year of this king (1472) an Act of Parliament passed for vestiug a very considerable portion of the
duchy estates in trustees for the use of the king's will, and the king directed the same by his will to be appropriated to diverse
charitable and superstitious uses, but this trust was destroyed by an act of Henry VII. (1485), and the estates were resumed and
reunited to the duchy.
14. Edward V. was not of an age to make any alterations during the short time that he was called kmg.
15. Richard III., though he made some excellent laws with regard to the nation, left the duchy as he found it. But,
16. Henry VII., whose right to it came from his mother, Margaret, the Countess of Richmond and Derby, daughter to John
Beaufort, Duke of Somerset, who was son to the Earl of Somerset just mentioned, broke Edward IV.'s act and entail, separated the
duchy again from the crown, and entailed both the crown and duchy on himself and his heirs for ever, and so it has continued
distinct, though in the crown (the time of the usurpation excepted), to this day ; yet I do not perceive that any of our kings or
princes have borne the title of Lancaster since Henry V., who by his father's express disposition inserted it among his other titles
when Prince of Wales.
17. This wide-spreading inheritance [the duchy of Lancaster] was very greatly increased by the several acts of King Henry VIII.
for the dissolution of monasteries and for erecting the court of augmentations, and by the act of Edward VI. for the dissolution of
colleges and chantries, and by a charter of King Philip and Queen Mary, made in pursuance of an Act of Parliament, whereby very
large estates in the counties of Hertford, Essex, Bucks, Suffialk, Sussex, and York were united to the duchy ; and so great a regard
was paid by this cpeeii to the future preservation of this her patrimonial inheritance, that she got a clause inserted in this act,
declaring that all such estates as had been since the first of Edward VI., or should be at any time afterwards, granted from the
duchy, and had or should revert or be forfeited to the crown, should return to the survey of the duchy court.
18. 19, 20, 21. This favourite succession, thus formed and augmented, passed through King Henry VIII., Edward VI., Philip
and Mary, and Elizabeth, to James I. (notwithstanding many grants in fee were given by those sovereigns), in such good condition
as to raise in the beginning of his reign an immense annual income, and to make a considerable part of the civil establishment, over
and besides some very extensive and valuable domains which he granted, together with divers crown lands, to trustees, to maintain
his sons Henry, Prince of Wales, and Prince Charles. The king's necessities afterwards requiring extraordinary sums to be raised
from his landed property, he first began with taking large fines for leases of duchy estates upon contracts for sixty years. But
finding money came in slowly from this scheme, he proceeded to all who would become purchasers upon his terms ; so that when
Charles I. succeeded to the throne, he found the duchy possessions reduced to very little more than the estates comprised in his
own settlement and in the leases for sixty years.
22. King Charles's exigencies drove him to follow the example of his father in selling his duchy inheritance, by which he raised
money to a considerable amount. No part of it was preserved except some few forests and parks and the estates which went to his
queen Henrietta in jointure, and those which were comprised in the leases for sixty years granted by his father, and even many of
those were sold in reversion for small sums. But upon almost all the grants in fee there were reserved to the crown fee-farm rents
in the whole to a large amount. In 1649 a commission was appointed by an act of the Commons for the sale of the crown and
duchy lands. The Restoration cancelled all transactions in consequence of that act.
23. King Charles II., soon aft^r his accession, made several very extensive grants in fee of duchy estates to persons instrumental
in his restoration, particularly to the Duke of Albermarle and the Earl of Sandwich, and he also made many leases for terms of
ninety-nine years in reversion at small rents, some of which are still subsisting. In 1665 he settled divers fee-farm rents, and very
near all the landed estate of the duchy which was not in jointure upon his mother Henrietta, upon Queen Catherine for her life ;
and Queen Henrietta dying in 1671, the king added the estates comprised in her settlement to Queen Catherine's jointure ; so that
the remaining revenue from the duchy to the crown sunk to a state of insignificance. In 1670 and 1672 this king had two acts to
sell all the fee-farm rents, as well as those of the crown as of the duchy, and they were accordingly sold, and such as were in
settlement on Queen Catherine were either surrendered by her, and an equivalent granted to her in lieu thereof by charge upon the
hereditary excise, or were sold in reversion expectant on her death.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE-APPENDIX II. 379
24. King James II., though a prince of more order and business, did not attemct to rbvp tliia ,q„^.i „„,t * i,- x •
ruin, and such was the reduction of its income that in 1686 the officers of the duchy a^ed to r.Hifrfi^' I '' patrimony from
tally with the small production from the duchy estate. ^ ^ ^ *° ^^^'""' "''^"'"'' *° '^''^^ ^^^"^ better
25. William III. accelerated the decline. He granted for 99 veai-q nftpi-tlm riom,-=„ „* n <-< i, • .
estates comprised m her jointure which were all th!t remained unffixcS wLf^n^t wofcSi^'Sr ''^ ""'' "™* °' '""^
for mtftClo^fearo: trC^fth-im eS nt ofw^s^^ tn&trtii^J!?\tr^^V^^ ^™™ ^T ^--^'^"^ '^^^
or of a third part of the value ; building leasee only were confined tu 50 years but k11\v 11° °l """"^ "'"''^ f °* "^ S™^'^'-'
yeai-s had absorbed so much of' the ducgy reyenues'that Ihtle or no attention 'th'tfh tLlSrof 'oro^.TT^rTp '"'''V' ''
giyen to the improyement of it, or even order in the ofiBce, till the Earl of ArundeU fas aoDO nLd oh^Z.^n H ^°'^' w ""'^
who loved business and respected justice, and made confusion and partiality gTvfpire to ZuW^^^^ was a nobleman
adopted, perfected, and enlarged his predecessor's laudable designs in the refgn of te IT I ?^ but Jhi, »1? fi? ^- \ l?u ^"
proceedings and plans, and under such auspices as ought to anfmate eve^yTn: to d^o'^K thLtteTu^': iSl m^^^^^^^
Charifs tl and t'Ll'oTwilUr^^^^^^^ '° pvobability, never a great Le, not even whZtSe leased gr^a^ed by
The annual certain amount at present is but £3273 13
And the annual disbursements Sfjiis i s
The deficiency £284 11 8
'"'^"''w J?^*^^-^""* ^^ !f ^ upon leases, casual rents reserved on leases for mines, sales of timber and such like. A surplus
undoubtedly arises from these articles, perhaps about £2,000 a year, or rather under, but that cannot, from the nature of it, be
APPENDIX II.
PERAMBULATION OF THE FOEESTS.
12th Henry III. (1228).
Lansdowne MSS. Cod. 559, fol. 65 (ss.)
These are the twelve knights of the county of Lancaster who made perambulation of the forests by precept of the lord the
king— to wit, Wm. Blundell, Tho. de Bethum, Adam de Bury, Wm. de Tatham, Adam de Coupynura, Adam de Molyneux, Gilbert
de Kellet, Paulinus de Gairestang, Patrick de Berwyk, Henry de Lee, Grymebald de EUale, Thos. de BurnhuU, who say that the
whole county of Lancaster ought to be disafforested, according to the tenor of the charter of forests, except the woods underwritten :
1st, Quernemore. by these bounds — to wit, as Langtwayt extends itself towards the Erlesgate, descending as far as to the bridge of
Musart Siket [i.e., ditch or runnel], descending as far as to the Frith Brok, following the Frith Brok descending aa far as to the
Lone [LuneJ, following the Lone ascending as far as to Esk Brok, ascending and following [it] to Mag Brigge, ascending as far as to
Hankersdame, following the Siket of Hankersdame, ascending as far as to the siket which is under UUethwayt, and descending from
that siket as far as Storchag, and from Storchag as far as to the east part of the head of Brounes-gate, following Brouues-gate
ascending as far as to the summit of the head of Cloghok [Clougha], and from the summit of the head of Cloghok, as far as to the
summit of the head of Damerisgele, descending as far as to the siket which is between two " marbes arres " [? marked trees], follow-
ing the SUcok [?] as far as to Blemes, following the siket as far as to Condone [ ], following tihe siket as far as to the
moss under Eghlotes-heved, following that moss ascending as far as to the road of Stokthwayt, following that road ascending to the
Erlesgate. And further, without these bounds, John the king gave a certain part of the forest, by his charter, to Matthew Gernet
and his heirs, to render therefor yearly half-a-mark [6s. 8d.], saving to himself his venison [or hunting], and therein the king may
do his pleasure. And excepting Covet and Bleasdale by these bounds — to wit, From the head of Calder on the south part, as far as
to Ulnesty, and from Ulnesty as far as to the top of the head of Perlok [Parlick Pike], and from that summit following the Merlegh,
descending as far as to where the Merlegh falls into [the] Broke at Thorpen Lees, following the Broke and descending to the duct
[? path] in the east side of Wone Suape, following Wone Snape as far as to Stayngile, and from Stayngile as far as to Comistis,
following Comisty and descending as far as into Calder, following and ascending as far as to the forenamed Ulnesty. And except
Fvlwode, by these bounds, from the Hay of Runisgil as far as to the way [or road] of Sepal, and thence aa far as to the duct [? path]
which goes from Sepedale to Fulwode, and thence so as that duct falls into Haversich-gate, and thence so as the way goas to Coleford
in the Ferms, and thence so as that falls as far as to the Codelische, and thence as far as to the Hay of Eanislyt. And the men of
Preston ought to have building timber for their houses and for fuel, and pasture for their cattle. [And except] Toxstalk, by these
hounds : So as where Oskeles Brok falls into Mersee, following Oskeles Brok, ascending as far as to the park of Magwom, and from
the meadow as far as Bromegge, following the Bromegge as far as to the Brounlowe, and thence across as far as to the old turbaries
between the two marshes, as far as to Lambisthorn, and from Lambisthorn descending as far as the "Waterfall of the head of StirpuU,
foUowing and descending as far as to the Mersee, near these [bounds]. King John placed Smethdown with its appurtenances in the
forest, and gave ThingwaU to a certain pauper in exchange for . . . and therein the king does according to his will. Also, except
the wood of Derby, by these bounds : From Bradi-stone in Hargun-Kar, and so by the middle of the Kar, as far as to Hasaihurst,
and so where the footpath goes out of the wood aa far as to Longlegh, which extends from [West] Derby as far aa unto Kyrkeby, and
so beyond Longlegh into Mikkyll-brok, and ascending from Mykkyl-brok as far as Blak-brok, ascending from Blak-brok as far as into
Throun-thornedale-brok, and so ascending as far as to the plains and the street where they have common, and herbage, and other
things in the aforesaid wood. And the men of Derby have all necessaries in the aforesaid wood. Also, except Burton Wode, by
these bounds : From Hardesti as far aa to Sonky, and from Kavelslache as far as to Brade-legh-broke ; so as that William Pincerna
[Butler] and his heirs may have common of pasture for their beasts in store, and feeding for their swine, and building timber at his
castle for his building and burning. Also we the jurors say, that Croxtath park was in defence [or protection] since the coronation
of Henry, the grandfather of our king, and belongs to Knowslegh, to the heir of Robert Fitz Henry, and ought to be disforested,
according 'to the tenor of the charter of forests. Also we say that Altkar was placed in protection since the coronation of Henry,
the grandfather of our king, and belongs, a certain part of it, to the vill of Ines [Incej and the Eamsmehs [Raven-meols], and to
Forneby and to Holand, and to Lydgate, and ought to be disforested. We also say that the vill of Halis was in demesne of the
grandfather of our king, and that the king placed in defence part of the wood after his coronation, from Flaxpolis to Quyutebriche.
And the king gave the aforesaid vill of Halis, in its entirety and with its appurtenances, to Richard de Mide, by his charter of the
forest • and it ought to be disforested according to the tenor of the charter of the forest. Also we say that Symondeswode was placed
in defence after the coronation of Henry, grandfather of our king, and belongs with Kyrkeby to the heir of Richard Fitz Roger, and
ought to be disforested according to the tenor of the charter of forests, &c.
380 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX III.
APPENDIX III.
THE LANSDOWNE FEODAEY. ^
Knights' Fees.
W lich wei-e those of Henry, late Earl of Lincoln, and which, after the death of the said earl, were those of Thomas, late Earl of
Lancaster, and now (to wit, in 23 Edward IIL, 13i9) are those of Henry, Earl of Lancaster, Derby and Leicester, and Lord
High Steward of England.
Salfordshire — Totington.
Roger de Midelton holds four carucates and two bovates of land in Midelton, for one knight's fee.
Margery de Radeclyve and Henry her son hold four carucates and sis bovates of land in Bury, for one fee.
Henry de Trafford holds two carucates of land in Chatherton for the fourth part of one fee, where eight, &c.
Alice, who was the wife of Adam de Prestwyche, holds the manor of Akkeryngton for homage and service, and there is the
twenty-fourth part of a knight's tee there
Leylandshire — Penworiham.
Robert de Keurdale holds in demesne and service three carucates of land in Keurdale, whereof ten [? carucates] make one
knight's fee.
John Feton holds in service one carucate of land in Wythenhill, one oarucate of land in Hoghton, two carucates of land in Quarlton,
half a carucate of land in Wythull, in woodland, for half a fee and the sixteenth part of one fee, where eight carucates make a fee.
The same John holds in service one carucate of land in Clayton, where ten carucates make one knight's fee.
William Caudray holds in demesne and service the vill of North Meols, for the fourth part of one knight's fee, where ten
carucates make one knight's fee.
Adam de Walton, parson of Mitton, holds two carucates in Ulneswalton, where ten carucates, &c.
William de Faryngdon holds in demesne and service one carucate of land in Leyland, where ten carucates, &o.
Thomas de Sutton holds one messuage and three bovates of land in Penwortham, where ten carucates, &c.
The abbot of Evesham holds one bovate of land in the same place, where ten carucates, &c.
Margaret Bauastre holds in demesne and service three carucates of land in Dokesbury, and . . . yngton (Adlyngton ?), six
bovates of land in Hethe Chernook, half a carucate of land in Chernok Richard, two carucates of land in Standish and Longtree, and
one carucate of land in Walshe QuethuU LWelsh Whittle], one carucate of land in Shevengton, for one fee, where eight carucates, &c.
Amounderness.
Adam de Freckelton holds in demesne and ser%'ice four carucates of land in Frekelton, two carucates of land in Etheleswyk,
one carucate of land in Whytyngham, two carucates of land in Neuton, for one fee, where eight carucates make one knight's fee.
William Prese holds in demesne and service one carucate of land in Neuton, where eight [carucates], &c.
The same William holds in demesne and ser\dce two carucates of land in Prese, where eight carucates, &c.
Ralph de Eethum holds in demesne and service three carucates of land in Warton, and half a carucate of land in Neusom, and
one carucate of land in Bretherton, for half a fee, where nine carucates, &c.
The heirs of Wodeplumpton hold demesne and service one carucate of land in Bretherton, two carucates of land in Claighton in
Amounderaess, and half a carucate of land in Neusum, where ten carucates, &c.
Adam de Hoghton, chevalier, holds in service one carucate of land and one bovate of land in Heton in Lonnesdale, where ten
carucates, &c,
Robert de Holand, chevalier, holds in service three carucates of land in Eukston, where ten carucates, &c.
Nicholas de Boteler holds in demesne one messuage and eleven bovates of land in Frekelton, where seven carucates, &c. : and
that quantity is the sixth part of one fee, V^^^F^ \ one twentieth part less.
Robert de Frekelton holds one messuage and two bovates and three parts of one bovate of land in Frekelton, where eight carucates,
&:c. ; and that quantity is the twenty -first part of a fee.
The heir of Robert Sherburne holds two bovates of land in Frekelton, and one bovate of land in Etheleswyk, where eight
carucates, &c.
The heir of Adam de Banestre, chevalier, holds two bovates of land in Frekelton, and five bovates of land in Etheleswyk
where eight carucates, &e.
Thomas Bredekyrk holds one bovate of land in Etheleswyk, where eight carucates, &c.
Thomas, son of Gilbert Singleton, holds one bovate of land in Frekelton, where eight carucates, &o.
The heirs of Orm Travers hold five bovates of land in Etheleswyk, where eight carucates, &c.
Si/ngleion.
There are in this place twenty-one messuages and twenty-six bovates of land in the hands of bonders, who render therefor
yearly at the terms of Easter and Michaelmas £21 98. 3d. And there are there eleven cottages, with so many curtilages, and one croft,
and one plot of land in the hands of tenants-at-will, who render therefor yearly 21s. 6d. And all the aforesaid bonders owe tallage,^
and give marchet^ and heriot, and the sixth part of all the goods belonging to the deceased on the death of a husband, and not more
unless he were a widower. And if any of them shall have a male pullet [or cock], he ought not to sell it without licence. And to
have the afore.said, with perquisites of court, as well for Syugleton as for Riggeby, extending to 30 yearly. Total, £24 Os. 9d.
It is to be noted that for every bovate of land aforesaid, a first rent of 2s. 6d. yearly, with the work at ploughing, harrowing,
mowing the rneadows at Riggeby, and carrying elsewhere the provisions of the lord at Richmond, York, Doncaster, Pontefract, and
Newcastle, with twelve horses alike in summer and winter. And afterwards the aforesaid customs were released, and the aforesaid
bovates demised to the aforesaid bonders holding them, viz. for each bovate, 14s. 2Jd.
Ryggehy.
There are in this place twenty-one bovates of land, and a half and a fourth part of one bovate in the hands of the bonders, who
render therefor yearly at each term, £19 168. 4d. In the parking of cattle by command of the king or of the lords of Lancaster, which
lor the time were in the Wapentake of Amounderness, and were folded at Riggeby, and estimated at half mark yearly, to wit, for the
keeping of every beast a day and a night in the winter time one penny, and for every day and night in the summer time, a halfpenny.
nik/th^Trf*,'w,^™^'^°™l5^T^V?'"^.- ^^"' *»■• 23 ('"'• This document the lord's behalf, in the same way that aUs were exacted by him of his
§w*"™t^™?«l°."J''.^R^'",'™*<'4^^^^ land tenants. -0.
■'' Marchet, or maiden-ront, was
to be free from an abominable ancien
bridal night of a tenant's daughter.
TliPBo tvo7=T^f „„. T o "i ^".""V ;" '■""■"Ppenaix lo tne old edition. land tenants.— C.
inese iranslationa 1 tnd among the late Mr. Harland's papers.— B. H. ■•' Marchet, or maiden-rent, was a payment to the lord of the manor
lauarje: special contributiona of money levied on the tenant for to be free from an abominable ancient privilege of manorial lords on the
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX III. 381'
Wro [? Wray].
Adam, son of Richard the clerk, holds five acres of land, and renders yearly at the two terms of the year 4d. — namely, at the feast
of the Annunoiatiou ot the blessed Mary, 2d.; and at the feast of St. Michael, 2d. Roger Culvay holds three and a half acres of land
and renders yearly at the terms 9d. Adam, son of Jordan, holds one acre, and renders yearly at the terms 12d. Richard de Wro
holds half a bovate of land, and renders yearly at the terms 5d. William le Harpour holds one and a half bovate of land, and renders
yearly at the terms ISJd. Adam de Kilgrimshagh holds half a bovate of land, and renders yearly at the terms i^d. Giles holds two
and a half acres, and renders yearly at the terms lOd. John de Bonk holds one bovate and one and a half acre of land, and renders
yearly at the terms lO^d. John le Wise holds eleven [acres], and renders yearly at the terms 6Jd. William le Wogher holds six
acres of land, and renders yearly at the terms 2Jd. John de Bredkyrk holds half a bovate oE land, and renders yearly at the terms 9d.
Adam de Parys holds two bovates, which were those of John le Harpour, and renders yearly at the terms 3s. OJd. of free farm, and two
marks. And the said tenants owe suit to the court of Ryggeby twice a year, and also the heirs of the said tenants, after the decease
of the tenants, owe double farm [rents]. Total, £30 7.3. Id.
The heirs of WilUam, sou of Ellen, hold the fourth part of one bovate of land in Etheleswyk, where eight carucates make one
knight's fee.
The heir of Adam de Bredeshagh holds one messuage and half a bovate of land in Neuton, where eight carucates, &c'.
The heir of John de Bredkyrk holds two bovates of land in Neuton, where eight carucates, &c. ,
The heir of Adam Harper holds half a bovate of land in Neuton, where eight carucates, &c.
The heir of Henry de Fetherby and William de Wliityngham, John de Staunford, and the heir of Richard de Mirscowe, hold
the mediety of the manor of Claghton divided amongst them, by the service of the fifth part of one knight's fee.
Knights' Fees of Blakeburnshire.
Robert de Longeton, chevalier, holds in demesne and service two carucates of land in Walton-in-the-Dale, one carucate of land
in Over Derwent, two carucates of laud in Nether Derwent, one carucate of land in Melling and EccleshuU, and one carucate of land
in Little Harewood, for one knight's fee.
The Abbot ot Whalley holds in demesne and service one carucate of land in Billyngton for the eighth part of one knight's fee.
John de Schotelesworth holds in demesne one bovate of land in Hunkot, where eight carucates make one knight's fee.
The heir of John de Clayton holds one bovate of land in Hunecote, where eight carucates, &c.
John de Alvetham holds in demesne and service one carucate of land in Alvetham, and one carucate of land in Clayton, where
eight carucates, &c.
Brian de Thornhill holds in demesne and service one carucate of land in Folrigg, where eight carucates of land, &c.
Gilbert de le Legh holds, with the heirs of John de Caterale and Philip de Clayton, divisibly amongst them, holding in demesne
and service Touulay, Snoddesworth, and Caldecotes, for the eighth part of one knight's fee.
William de Heskaith, chevalier, holds in demesne and service two carucates of land in Great Harewode, where" eight carucates
of land, &c.
John de Radeclif, Joan (or Jane) his wife, hold as dower of the same Joan, of the inheritance of the heir of Thomas Talbot, two
carucates of Russhton, where twenty carucates, &o.
William de Radechf holds in demesne and service one carucate of land in Blakeburn, where ten [carucates], &c.
The heir ot William de Chatherton holds in demesne and service one carucate of land in Mitton, where eight carucates, &c.
The heir of Margaret Banistre holds in demesne and service in Halghton one carucate of land, where eight carucates, &c.
The heirs of Adam Nouel and Richard de Morlegh hold in demesne and service two carucates of land in Morley, where twelve
carucates, &c.
Gilbert de le Legh, and the heir of John de Caterale, holds in demesne and service the vill of Hapten for the third part Of one
knight's fee.
The heir of William le Heriz holds one carucate of land in Little Merley, where twelve carucates, &c.
The heir ot Lore de Caterale holds one carucate of land in Little Mitton, where eight carucates, &o.
The heir of Thomas de Osbaldiston holds in service one carucate of land in Whetheley and Thorneley, where eight carucates, &o.
The Abbot of Kyrkestall holds half a carucate of land in Extwisell, where eight carucates, &c.
Robert de Blakeburn holds one carucate ot land in Donnum (Downham), where twenty carucates, &c.
John de Dyneley holds half a carucate of land in the same place, where twenty carucates, Src.
The heir of John Fitz Wilham holds two bovates of land in the same place, where twenty carucates, &c.
The heir ot Hugh de Donnum holds one and a half bovate of land in tbe same place, where twenty carucates, &c.
The heir of Robert Spendelufe holds half a bovate of land in the same place, where twenty carucates, &c.
The heir of William Fitz Allan holds one bovate of land in the same place, where twenty carucates, &c.
The heir of Henry le Henriz holds one bovate of land in the same place, where twenty carucates, &c.
The heir of Richard le Cok holds three and a half acres of land in the same place, where twenty carucates, &c.
The heir of Hugh Fitz Ralph holds one bovate of land in Worston, where twelve carucates, &c.
The heir of Hugh Fitz Thomas holds one bovate of land in the same place, where twelve carucates, &c.
Th- heir of Thomas de Rede holds one bovate of land in the same place, where twelve carucates, &c.
The heir of William Fitz Hugh holds one bovate of land in the same place, where twelve carucates, *c.
The heir of William Fitz Thomas holds one bovate of land in the same place, where twelve carucates, &c.
Alice Sherburne holds two parts of two carucates ot land in Wiswall, where eight carucates, &c
The abbot of Whalley holds the third part of two carucates of land m the same place, where eight carucates, &c.
John de Dyneley holds in demesne and service one carucate of land in Twisilton, where fourteen carucates, &c.
The heir of John del Hall of Chipyn holds a certain tenement in Chepyn, for the fortieth part of one fee.
Richard Cocus [the cook] holds three and a half acres of land in Donnoum by knight service, where twenty carucates, &o.
Tenures of the Knights' Fees alienated in Alms, and of other Tenements held in fee-farm in the fee of Penwortham.
The abbot of Evesham holds in alms ten bovates of land m Penwortham, where ten carucates make one knight's fee.
John Flemyngs and William del Lee hold three carucates of land in Longeton, at fee-farm, by charter of the Lord Henry de
Lasri the last earl paving yearly 50s. for all services, where ten carucates, &c.
CmasLL%^a/d holds one bovate of land in Penwortham ^ .;. w wu
Sir Adam deHodeleston holds for the term of his life, of the grant of the Lord Henry de Lascy, the last earl, three carucates
of land in BmyngTon by kuight service, where eight carucates, &c., which tenement the abbot of Whalley acquired to himself and
his Buceessors ^^^ ^^^ ^^^ ■ ^gj^esne one carucate of land in Alkriugton, where eight carucates, &c
?he ford Earl of Lanastr holds in his demesne six bovates of land [in] Huncotes, where eight carucates, &c.
The ame ear holds in his demesne one carucate and two bovates of land in Donnoum, where twenty carucates, &c.
• The same ear holds in his demesne three bovates of land in Worston, where twelve carucates, &c.
The abbot of Whalley hold in alms one carucate of land in Blakeburn, where ten carucates, &c.
ThP abbot of Newebv holds in alms a half carucate of land in Extwisell, where eight carucates &c ,,,.„. .
RoLrfspendeloue holds the mediety of one bovate of land in Penwortham, by what service they know not, but will mqmre,
382 THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX III.
Particular Knights' Fees, formerly of the Earl of Lincoln, in the Duchy of Lancaster.'^
Robert de Longeton, chevalier, holds one knight's fee of the Duke of Lancaster, in Walton, in Blakeburnshire, with members,
which same fee Robert Banastre lately held of the fee of the former Earl of Lincoln. ■, , , -, « ^,
Henry, the duke, holds the fifth part of one knight's fee, in Ulneswalton, which Warm de Walton formerly held of the
" "''^^ThomafBanastre del Bonk, and Thomas, son of Adam Banastre, knight, John de Thorpe and Ralph de Bjkerstath, and William,
son of WilUam Banastre, hold of the said duke the twelfth part of one fee in Breth'ton, which Richard Banastre, Walter de Hole,
Richard de Top, William de Breyme, Thomas de Gerstan, and Simon del Pull, formerly held of the aforesaid fees.
Adam de Hoghton, chevalier, and all his tenants, hold of the duke the third part of one knight s fee m Hoghton, Etheleswyk,
and Clayton, and Whelton with Hepay, WytheuhuU with Rothelesworth, which Robert de Feton formerly held of the said tees.
The abbot of Cockersand holds the fourth part of one knight's fee in Hoton, in pure and perpetual alms of the aforesaid fees.
The heir of Robert Fitz Richard holds of the said duke the tenth part of one knight's fee m Longeton, which Robert Fitz
Richard formerly held of the aforesaid fees. ,, , ,, j_ , , • ,.j.,
Henry, Duke of Lancaster, William de Faryngton, and William de Holand, hold of the said duke the tenth part of one knight e
fee in Longeton, Leylaud, and Eccleston, which Robert Bushell formerly held of the said fees.
John Haveryngton and all the parceners hold of the said duke the fourth part of one knight's fee m Shevyngton, Ghernok, and
WalshewythuU, which Robert Banastre formerly held of the said fees. , . , t ,. i -n i, j
Richard de Caterhalle holds of the said duke the twenty-first part of one knight's fee m Little Mitton, which John de fynchardon
Vipld Or "t" lip fLTOT'PSfLlO. I GPS
The abbot of Whalley, Richard de Sherbum, and Gilbert de la Legh, hold of the said duke the fourth part of one knight's fee
in Wiswall and Hapton, which Adam de Bla[k]burn and Roger del Arches lately held of the aforesaid fees.
Gilbert de la Legh hold.s of the said duke the fourth part of one knight's fee in Tounley, Coldecotes, and Sudworth, which
Henry Goldyng formerly held of the said fees. iii.-r.irT.
Richard de Greenacres holds of the said duke the tenth part of one knight's fee in Tweyselton, winch the i-arl of Lincoln
formerly held in his own hand of the aforesaid fees. , -n
The abbot of Kyrkestall holds of the lord duke the tenth part of one knight's fee in Extwysell, which Adam de Breaton
formerly held of the said fees.
John de Haveryngton, chevalier, Thomas Dardern, and Adam de Hoghton, Richard Noel, and John de Bayley, hold the fourth
part of one knight's fee in Aghton, Merlay, and Livesay, which Ralph de Mitton formerly held of the aforesaid fees.
John de Dyneley holds the fourth part of one knight's fee in Donnum of the said duke, which Robert Chester formerly held of
the aforesaid fees.
Brian . . . . de ThornhuU holds of the said duke the eighth part of one knight's fee in Folerigg, which John de Grigleston
formerly held of the aforesaid fees.
John de Morley, Richard and John de Greenacres, hold of the said duke the tenth part of one knight's fee in Little Merlay,
which William Marescall formerly held, &c.
John de Radeclif holds the tenth part of one knight's fee in Eissheton of the said duke, which Gilbert Fitz Henry de Alvetham
formerly held, &c.
Henry de Clayton holds the eighth part of one knight's fee of the said duke in Clayton, which Henry de Clayton, his ancestor,
formerly held, &c.
Wilham de Hesketh, chevalier, holds the fourth part of one knight's fee of the said duke in Harewod, which Hugh Fyton
formerly held, &c.
Henry, Duke of Lancaster, holds six bovates of land in Huncotes, where sixty -four bovates of laiid make one knight's fee of the
aforesaid fees.
Henry de Clayton and John de Shotelesworth hold of the said duke two bovates of land in Huncotes, where sixty-four bovates
make one knight's tee of the aforesaid fees.
Roger de Pilkyngton holds of the said duke one knight's fee in Bury in Salfordshire, which Adam de Bury formerly held, &o.
John de Eydale holds one knight's fee of the said duke in Midelton with members, which Robert de Midelton formerly held, &c.
Henry de Chaterton holds the fourth part of one knight's fee of the said duke in Chatherton, which Gilbert de Barton formerly
held, &c.
Henry, Duke of Lancaster, holds the fifth part of one knight's fee of the aforesaid fee in Totyngtou, which the Earl of Lincoln
formerly held.
Parcels of Fees formerly of Thomas de Grelle.
The heir of Gilbert de Barton holds of John de la Ware one and a half knight's fee in Barton with members, which Gilbert de
Barton formerly held of Thomas de Grelle, and he of the Earl of Feirars, and he of the king in chief.
Thomas de Latham, chevalier, Robert de Holand, chevalier, and Thomas de Sotheworth, hold of John de Ware one knight's fee,
of which Thomas de Latham, chevaher [holds] three carucates of land in Childewall, one carucate in AsphuU, one carucate of land
in Turton [half a carucate of land in Childewall, half a carucate of land'] in Brockholes, and the aforesaid Robert [Holano] and
Thomas de Southworth hold one carucate in Harewode in Salfordshire, where six and a half carucates of land make one fee, wliich
Robert de Latham holds of the said John, one knight's fee in Dalton, Parbald, and Wrightyngton, which Robert de Latham formerly
held of the aforesaid fees.
The heir of John Fitz Henry de Hulton holds of the said John the third part of one knight's fee in Romworth and Lostock,
which Richard Perpond formerly held, &c.
Roger de Pilkyngton holds of the said John the fourth part of one knight's fee in Pilkyngton, which Roger de Pilkyngton, his
ancestor, formerly held, &c.
Fee of Lyncoln.
Henry, Duke of Lancaster, and all his tenants hold in demesne and service within the duchy of Lancaster twenty-two knights'
fees, and the half the fourth part and the tweutieth part of one kniglit's fee, which the Earl of Lincoln formerly held within the
aforesaid duchy, and he, the Earl of Lincoln, never held many or any parcels there, which same fees the said earl formerly held of
the honor of Lancaster, as appears above by the particulars and parcels above written.
John de la Ware holds in demesne and service five and a half fees and the twelfth part of a fee, within the said duchy, which
same Thomas de Grelley held, which same Thomas formerly held of the king, as of his honor of Lancaster, as estimated twelve fees,
but within the said duchy the said Thomas never held more than five fees and a half, and the twelfth part of one knight's fee, which
the said John la Ware now holds, as appears by the particulars and parcels above said, and all the rest of the said twelve fees the
said Thomas holds in other various counties outside the duchy aforesaid, but where and in what parcels held we know not.
■ This part of the inquest must have been taken two years after the ^ The words enclosed within brackets have been erased in the
former, the date of the duchy creation being 25 Edward III. (1351). original document.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX III. 883
Parcels of the Fee of Hornby.
Inquisition taken at Hornby by Robert Paslew, escheatov of the king in tlie county of Lancaster, Richard de Burgli, Benedict
de Hergun, Adam de Farleton, Simon de Farleton, Adam, clerk of Claghton, Roger de Tunstall, William Aaron de Farleton, Roger
de Farleton, John Fitz Eva de Tunstall, Henry de Wenyngton, Henry Fitz Robert de Wennyngton, Adam Fitz Andrew de Farleton,
John Fitz Benedict de Farleton, William Fitz Roger Scocchis, Robert Fitz Waltham de Ergham, Thomas Fitz Allan de Hergun'
Gilbert Fitz Huctred de Hergun, Adam Fitz Martin de Farleton, John Makeles, and Simon Fitz Thomas de Hergun. '
The jury say on their oath that Hubert de Burgh holds the manor of Horneby of Henry Munden and Roger de Monte Begon,
and he in chief of the king ; and they say that they know not by what service Hubert or Roger holds of Henry, nor by what service
Henry holds of the king, because that barony is divided into several [or many] parts, in several [or many] counties.
Fees of Rogex de Monte Begon.
Adam de Montebegon, ancestor of Roger de Montebegon, gave to Henry de Rokesby two carucates of land in Wennyngton, by
knight service, where fourteen carucates make a fee.
The same Adam gave to Geoffrey de Walton six carucates of land in Farleton and Cauncefeld, by knight service.
Roger de Montebegon gave to the canons of Hornby 100 acres of laud.
The same Roger gave to Thomas de Wennyngton one bovate in Farleton, by military service.
Roger de Montebegon gave to the prior of Thornholme forty acres of land and one messuage in Tunstall.
John de Haryngton de Aldyngham, John de Coupelond, and Joan, daughter and heir of John Rigmayden, and their tenants,
hold one knight's fee in Ulverston, Warton in Lonsdale, and Gayrestang with members, of the Duke of Lancaster, which fee William
of Lancaster formerly held of the honor of Lancaster, and no more, neither any parcel of a fee in the aforesaid duchy ; whereof the
said John de Haryngton and John de Coupeland hold Ulverston in common, for the eighth part of one knight's fee of the said fee.
The same John de Coupeland and the free tenants of the manor of Warton in Lonsdale with members, to wit, in EUale,
Scotford and Kerneford, Yealand and Assheton, for the fourth part and the eighth part of one knight's fee of the aforesaid fees.
And the foresaid John de Coupeland, and Joan, daughter and heir of John Rigmayden, and their tenants, hold half a knight's fee
in Gayrestang with members, to wit, in Great Eccleston and Little Eccleston with Layrebreck, Caterale and Little Carleton, Great
Carleton, and Uprouolif, of the said fee.
The countess of Durmuud [Ormonde] and all her tenants hold [in] Wytheton, Treuels, Thistleton, and Frees, half a knight's fee
of the said duke, as of the honor of Lancaster, which Theobald Walter, John de Thornhull, William de Frees, and Adam de
Bredkyrk, formerly held of the aforesaid honor.
Ralph de Bethum, chevalier, holds of the said duke the fourth part of one knight's fee in Kelgrymesargh and Bryning, which
Roger, Thomas de Bethum, and Robert de Stopford, formerly held of the said honor of Lancaster.
William le Botyler, chevalier, holds of the said duke the tenth part and the twentieth part of one knight's fee in Great Merton,
which William de Stow formerly held of the said honor of Lancaster.
The prior of St. Thomas, near Stafford, holds of the said duke the tenth part of one knight's fee in alms, as it is stated, in
Penhulton in Salfordshire, which the heir of Richard de Hulton formerly held of the said honor of Lancaster.
The abbot of Cokersand, William de Nevyll, and William de Burgh de Midelton hold the fourth part of one knight's fee in
Mideltou in Lonesdal^of the said duke, which Adam de Midelton formerly held of the said honor of Lancaster.
Robert de Langeton, chevalier, and all his tenants, hold of the said duke one knight's tee in Neuton in Makersfeld, Langeton,
Kenyan, Erbury, and the mediety of Goldburn, which Robert Banastre, WilUam de Langton, and Richard de Goldburn, formerly
held of the said honor of Lancaster.
Richard le Molyneux holds half a knight's fee of the said duke in Sef ton, Thornton, and Kyrden.
William de Bradshagh holds of the said duke the twelfth part of one knight's fee, which Hugh le Norreys formerly held of the
said honor of Lancaster.
Roger of Little Boulton holds of the said duke the sixteenth part of one knight's fee in Little Boulton in Salfordshire, which
his ancestors formerly held of the honor of Lancaster.
The heir of Robert de Holand, chevalier, and Nicholas D'ewyas, hold of the said duke the eighth part of one knight s fee in
Bright Mede, a hamlet of the vill of Boulton, which their ancestors formerly held of the Earl of Ferrars and he of the king in chief.
Richard de Langley and Joan his wife hold of the said duke the fortieth part of one knight's fee in Crompton [and] Burghton,
which Adam de Tetlow [formerly] held of the Earl of Ferrars. , , ,,
William de Dacre holds of the said duke one knight's fee in Halton, Burgh, Leke, Fissewyk, which Roger Gemet tormerly held
of the king by forestry. ,,„ ,,, .,,, . jj.ij.j.t :. c
The abbot of Fourneys and all his tenants hold of the said duke half a knight's fee and the eighth part and the tenth part of
one knight's fee in Dalton in Fourneys with members, in pure and perpetual alms.
Parcel of the Fees formerly of Thomas de Grelley.
Nicholas Langeford, chevalier, holds of John la Ware one knight's fee in Wythington, which Matthew de Haversegge formerly
^^'"^HughVe^^orthyngton and John de Heton hold of the said John half of one knight's fee in Worthyngton and Heton-under-
Horwich, which William de Worthyngton formerly held of the said fees , . ^, u ic t i • i,f' f»„
The abbot of Whalley holds the manor of Staynyng of the Duke of Lancaster, for the half of one knight s tee.
The Countess Durmund [of Ormonde] holds the tenth part of one knight s fee of the fee of Lincoln.
The heir of Henry del Cherton holds the thirty-second part of one knights fee in Chernok.
[From this sentence to the following (in fol. 41), the Peodary is a counterpart of the Testa de Nevill, fol. 396.]
Henry the duke holds, in demesne and service, two knights' fees within the duchy of Lancaster to wit, in Croston with
members one fee which the heir of William de Lee, chevalier, and John Flemmynges chevalier, hold of the manor of Horneby
wh^h fee John de Mara formerly held of the said fee of Horneby. And the said duke and his tenante hold m the manor of
Horneby one knight^ fee, which Lme fee Henry de Munden and Roger de Monte Begon ormerly held of the king, but they never
held any more feeder parcels of fees, within the said duchy, but in other counties they held fees, as they [the jury] learn, but what
and where they know not. ^^^ ^^ ^^.^^.^^ ^^ ^^^^^^^^^.^
William de Lancaster holds half one knight's fee in demesne in Ulverston, and pays to the abbot of Fourneys 30s. yearly.
""^i^^attirdrS^^^^ ^'^ ^-°^ ''^ -^'''''^-'
and he in chie " * « ^^S- ^ j ^ j^ ^ gu^^je t^o bovates of land in Crymblis. , . , ,, f , •
Wilham thi first [^Tof Gilbert gave two carucates of land in Cokyrram to the canons of Laycester in alms, whence one of lus
heirs now holds of the king in chief. ^ ^ , —
1 Testa de Nevill, fol. 307.
384
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IV.
The same William gave Grimbald de Ellale two oaruoates in EUale by military service, where twenty.four oarucates make om
knight's fee.
The same "William gave Hugh Korthmore two caruoates of land in Sootford by the same service.
The same William gave Ralph Thormondisholm half a carucate of land in Lancaster, and he renders 4s.
The same William gave Robert Faoon two bovate^ of land in Carnford by military service.
The same William gave Gilbert de Assheton half a oaruoate of land in Assheton, and he renders service 33. 4d. yearly,
The Fee of Michael de Fourneys.
Michael de Fourneys gave William Fitz Edward half a carucate of land in Urswick in marriage, by the service of 4s. for all,
&c., by his charter.
The same gave to Adam Fitz Bernulf two bovates of land in the same vill by charter for 32d. yearly.
William Fitz Michael gave to Gilbert Fitz Reynfrid two bovates of land in Urswick for 22d. yearly.
Michael de Fourneys gave to Gamel the Forester one carucate of land in Urswick by the service of 10s. yearly. [ Fide West,
App. xi. No. 1.] , ,, J. c 1 J • t;i
The heir of William, son of Michael de Fourneys, holds of the king in chief twenty and a half carucates ot land in J<ourneya,
and renders therefor yearly £10.
Michael, his ancestor, gave three carucaces of land in Adgarislich in marriage with his daughter Goditha.
The abbot ot Fourneys holds twenty and a half carucates of land in Fourneys in alms of the gift of King Stephen.
The same abbot holds two carucates of land in Stapulthorn, and renders to the king yearly 408.
The same abbot holds half a carucate of land in Bemond [Beaumont] in alms.
Gilbert de Croft holds two carucates of land in Dalton near Kendal, and renders yearly 10s.
Edmund de Daore, chevalier, and his parcener, hold the fourth part of one knight's fee in Ireby and Tatham of the said duke.
Thomas de Grysyngham, William del Grene, Alan Hughson, Henry de Haybergh, Benedict Adamson, Cecilia de Southeworth,
William Fitz William de Loccay, and John de Haryngton, hold the eighth part of one knight's fee in Gersyng.
[On a piece of parchinent attached to fo. 41 and 42.]
Alan de Penyngton holds of the abbot of Fourneys the manor of Penyngton by knight service and by suit at the court of
Dalton every three weeks, and by the service of the tenth part of a knight's fee, and by rent of 30s. yearly. And the same Alan
holds of the said abbot Tilberthwayt and Langden in Fourneys by knight service and suit to the court of the aforesaid abbot in
Ulveraton.
John Neville holds of the abbot of Fourneys the mill of Ulverston by knight service, and renders yearly 303. Also, the same
holds of the same abbot Les Ladermanez by the same service and a rent of 12d. yearly or a sparrow-hawk. Also, the same holds of
the same abbot Manscayriggs, by the same service and a rent of 12d. yearly. Also, the same holds of the same certain lands in
Rosset by the same service and a rent of 3^d. yearly.
Christopher de Broghton holds of the aforesaid abbot, Staynnerll, by knight service and a rent of 2^d. yearly.
William de Hetou holds of the aforesaid abbot, Rosset, by knight service and S^d. yearly.
The Fee of Boioland.
Adam de Wamarville holds in demense and service two caruoates of land in Esyngton, and one carucate of land in Bathesby,
where fourteen carucates make a fee.
Elias de Knoll holds in service one carucate of land in Bathesby, where fourteen carucates, &o.
Alan de Neuton holds in demesne two bovates of land in Neuton, where twelve carucates, &c.
Thomas de Knoll holds in demesne four bovates of land in Neuton, where fourteen carucates, &c.
John Tempest holds in demesne and service one carucate of land in Wadyngton, where fourteen carucates, &c.
Thomas le Surreys holds in demesne and service one carucate, and three bovates of land in Mitton, where fourteen carucates, &o.
William de Mitton holds in demesne seven bovates of land in Mitton, where fourteen carucates, &c.
Adam de Bury holds in demesne and service one carucate of land [in] Wythekyll, where fourteen carucates, &c.
The lord the Earl of Lancaster holds in demesne two bovates of land in Mitton, where fourteen carucates, &o.
The lord the Earl of Lancaster holds in demesne one carucate and six bovates of land in Bradford, where fourteen carucates, &c.
Adam Bot holds at fee-farm one bovate of land in Bradford by service of one collar and one hank of hair-* for service by charter
of the lord John de Lascy.
APPENDIX IV.
A LIST OF PAPISTo WHO REGISTERED THEIR ESTATES, AND THE RESPECTIVE VALUES
THEREOF, IN LANCASHIRE.^
As reported to Parliament by the Commissioners appointed under the Act 1 George I.
d.
Aspenwall Richard 25
Alston John 19
Aray Elizabeth 2
Abbott Richard 20
Alker John 39
Arkwright Robert 7
Anderton Sir Lawrence 621 16 10
Anderton Margaret, Dame , 486 8 'ih
Aspenwall Henry 11
Aahton Arthur 18
Ashton Richard 13 19
Abram William 10
Ascough Hugh ft 1 8
Anderton Richard
Bolton Richard
Bolton Thomas
Bolton William
Blundell Robert
Blackburne Richard
Bowyer John
Burscough John
Blackburn Thomas
Burgess Robert
Bulling John 28 10
Billing Margaret
Bolton William
£ 8.
d.
£ 8.
d.
14
Bury Andrew
... 13
2
Broivn William
9 17
4
12
Baine Edmund
16
7 12
5
Butler Elizabeth
... 11 10
4 17
8
n
21 2
Barret Thomas
... 13 5
30
Bannister George
5 1
4
20 10
Barton John
5
1 6
Blundell Mary, Dame ...
... 200
7
Bamburgh John
... 83 8
6
28 10
Bellassis Rowland
... 300
6
Barton Roger
... 16 3
2
6 15
Brown William
... 22 10
> These terms, "j. colerii et j. banc de Pilo," are obscure, and the
translation can only be called conjectural.— J. H.
2 From this list it appears that the number of Lancashire estates
amounted to 465, of an ammal value ot £27,903 7s. 9id., and that those
of the other counties of England amounted to £375,284 15s. 3d., while
the value of the forfeited estates in Scotland was estimated at £27,771
7a. 7d.-C,
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIEE— APPENDIX IV.
385
£ s.
Booth Biohard 23 19
Buller John 7 5
Bolton John 70 5
Blackbourne Richard 12
Blackledge William 13 3
Bolton Joseph 11
Butler Thomas 2
Butler Christopher 10 19
Barton Henry 7
Bolton John 12
Blakey William 3 13
Bambur Thomas 26 10
Brockholes John 522 19
BartonHugh 35 11
Blackbourn Margaret 20
Butler Mary 100
Ball Robert 1 14
Bordley William
Butler Catharine 537
Bellassis Rowland 400
Burscough Richard 10
Butler Henry 60
Blundell Nicholas 482 12
Breers Bridget 10
Barlow Anthony 171 9
Bolton Elizabeth 25 12
Conuell George 6 5
Coope James 13
Clarkaon Perpetua 5 10
Cottam John 14 5
Cooker Anne 5
Clifiton Bridget 3 10
Chamley Paul 30 7
Casseney John 3 17
Corless Alice 27 3
Cottam Ellen 26 15
Cornwallis Mary 100
Cordwell Cuthbert 8
Crook John 14
Coope Richard 18 5
Catterall James 16 13
Cottam Lawrence 13 3
Chamley Thomas 4
Craven Richard 7
Chamley Anne, widow 6 5
Chamley Ann, spinster 5
Cottam Lawrence 27
Cragg Matthew 17 14
Callen Thurston 30 15
ChfEord Hugh, Lord 163 6
Culchith Thomas 85 8
CUffton Thomas 1548 16
Culchith Mary 150
Culchith John 30
ClareMartha 10
Clare Thomas 4 10
Crosby Thomas 1 12
Case Henry 12
Case William 28 5
ChaddockJohn 3 4
Culcheth Roger 64 15
ClarksonJohn 10
Cropper Richard 4 18
Crook James 34 2
Curdon William 3 13
Cottam William and Oliver. 5 15
Cardwell Richard 19 8
Cordwell John 15
Chamock Anne 1 4
Cowpe William 2 10
Caton Lawrence 6
Croft William and Margaret 18 6
Croskell Robert 13
Cams George 30
Cams Frances 100
Cartwright Richard 12 10
Chantrell Darcy 39
Critchlow Anne 25 11
Chadwick Mary 30
50
d.
3
6
6
1
6
6
n
8
10
9
lOi
4
6
£ s. d.
Clarkson Edward 36 5
Curwen Henry 141 10
Duckworth Elzabeth 8 12
Derbyshire John 13 2
Demen Evan 8 5
Daniel John 17 3
Dobson James 4 6
Diver John 1 17
Doubiggen Aune, Winder... 9
Dennet James 37 12 6
Dickenson Agnes 200
Dandy William 24 10
Dauson James 3 10
Dilworth James 6 5 6
Daniel Edward 14
Davy William 10
Dilworth Stephen 2 14
Eastham Edmund 9 10
Eccleston Thomas 341 5 11
Eccleston Eleanora 100
Erdywick Sampson 48
Eccles Thomas 19 6 6
Elscar Richard 20
Edmonson Elizabeth 31 19 11
Escourt Francis 33
Ellam Edward 2
Poster Henry 23 17
Fish Evan 12 4
Farnworth Edward 77 5 6
Finch James 15 13
Fisher Thomas 22
Fazakerley Robert 187 10 lOf
FaulcoDberg Lord Visct. ... 356 9
Fowler John 233 16 10
Fleetwood Sir Richard 19 9
Fisher Henry 32 5 6
Fletcher John 70
Foster Robert 39 8
Fletcher William 7
FeltonJohn 2 7 6
Felton James 4
Foxcroft William 26 8
Grigson William 9
Gerard Mary, Dame 100
GilUbrand Thomas 40 1 6
Gillibrand John 18 7 10
Gerrard John 114 18 4
Gerard Oliver 31
Gregson Thomas 16
Gregson Catherine 4 5
GerrardEvan 112 12 3
Gorsuch James 52 11 8
Gerrard Sir William 247 6 11
Guest John, jun 30 15 4
Gerrard Richard 45 5
Gregory Jane 1 5
Glover Peter 24
Golden Thomas 128 111
Glover Ellis 25 10
Glover Ralph 5
Greenough Robert 34 15
Green Barbara 36 2 6
Gore Thomas 68
Gerard Thomas 345 14 2
Grimbelson Emer 12
Guest Jennett 5 10
Gradell Christopher 6
Gillow Wilham 4 6 6
Gillow Richard 15
Gradwell Elizabeth U
Gregson George 3
Green Agnes 63 3 8
Goose Thomas 10
Green Ellen 4
Gate John 25
Gate Francis 25
Grey William 4 10
Gerrard Richard 10 9 10
Gerrard John 20 10
£ s. d.
Green Margaret ,. 36 2 6
Gooden Richard 65 14 4
Gooden Thomas 83 10
Gerrard Richard 150
Higson John 8
Helme William 9 10
Higgenson Roger 11
Hudson Alexander 5 14
Harrison James 15
Harrison Edward 19 8
Hesketh Margaret 57
Holden Richard 20
Harrison William 8
Hankinson Thomas 15
Hill John 1 12
Hilton Richard 16 8
flalsell James 6
Harrison James 22
Harrington Charles 197 3
Harrington Mary 200 6
Hodgkinson Mabell 46 5 6i
Howard Ralph 18
Howarden Catherine 56 1
Harrington Mary 31 10
Howarden Mary 23 10
Harrington Dorothy 107 12 6
Howarden Mary 37 6
Howard Thomas 4 13
Holland Alexander 19
Houghton Margaret 410
Holland Thomas 15
Hodgkinson Marg. and Robt.
Greenough 29 8 4
Halliwell William 89 6
Hawett Cecilia 80
Heateley Peter 29
Hodson Thomas 17 10
HoUandHelen 41 10
Harrison Henry 6 13
Hesketh William 198 3 4J
Hesketh George 13 6 8
Hull Elizabeth 23
HeatlyHugh 4 5
Hathornthwaite John 49 3 4
Hatton Edward 8 4J
Harrison William 20
Houghton Thomas 11 8
Howard Edward 6 10
Hodgkinson Anne 9
Hitchmough Edward 18
Higginson Robert 13
Johnson Richard 10 11 6
Jackson John 11 10
Jackson Richard 20
Ince Christopher 163 4
Xnce Dorothy, Anne, and
John Twist, &c 5 9 6
Johnson Thomas 10 10
Jump Robert 33
JumpHugh 9
Jackson John 60 8
Jenkinson Thomas 5
Johnson Robert 15
Juice Robert 27
Irlam Frances 5 7
Jackson Richard 5
Jump William 3 14
Knott Thomas 20
Kendal, Richard 2 15
Kay Elizabeth 4 2 6
Kitchen Anne 16
LickfoldJohn 2 15
Latholm William 6
Linesay Richard 8 7 6
Langtree Richard 5 4 6
Letherbarrow Thomas 11 10
Lurting John 11
Lancaster William 32
Lytherland_Elizabeth 4 10
386
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX V.
£
Lickey Nicholas 32
Lancaster Francis 5
Lancaster Thomas 10
Leadbeater AHce
Leyburne James 15
Longworth John 23
Lancaster John 87
Longworth Mary 24
Langton Edward 69
Leigh Margaret and Alias... 18
Lumb John 18
Langtree Thomas 5
Leokonby William 79
Leigh Emma 20
Laithwaite Anne 15
Leyburue Nicholas 10
Leyburne George 10
Lund Anthony 10
Leigh James 7
Leigh Roger 1
Molden William
Moulden John 24
Medcalf Christopher
Moororoft William 15
Maudesley Thomas 5
Maudesley William 21
Molineux Sir Wilham, Bart. 2346
Molineux Robert 309
Maborn Robert 29
Molineux William 80
Massey Richard 352
Mather Richard 5
Maudesley Margaret 4
Molineux Thomas 13
Martin Richard 21
Malley Thomas 6
Miller Thomas 14
Menick John 5
Morton William 7
Molineux Richard 1100
Moore Andrew 38
Miller Thomas 10
Norris Gabriel ]
Noblet John 1
Nay lor Thomas 32
Nelson Maximilian 100
Neusham John 26
Nelston Edward 33
Osbalstone Edward 9
Oyle Richard 64
Orrell Humphrey 68
Osbalstone Robert 14
Osbaldiston Alexander ... 92
Parkinson Edward 14
Parkinson Richard 22
Piatt John 1
Parker Richard 15
Pool John 1
Parker James 19
Peers Peter 5
Pennington Thomas
Parker Edward 28
Rowbotham John 7
s.
d.
10
17
6
12
13
6
4
17
6
6
5
18
10
11
6
17
6
8
4
18
15
16
10
16
2
8
2
9
17
10
2
8
6
15
10
15
18
10
15
13
4
12
2
17
8
10
12
6
19
8
10
10
£
Richmond James 8
Rice John 23
Roscow William 42
Riding Thomas 1
Rice Percivall and Thomas . 82
Richardson Richard 11
Riddle Edward 119
Rothwell Robert 12
Richardson Richard 43
Reddish Susannah 4
Robinson John 8
Russell Richard 9
Rutter Elizabeth 1
Rycroft Lydia 24
Rice Percivall 19
Standish Alexander 28
Sanderson James 36
Sanderson John 21
Snape William 2
Smith Francis,and Catherine
his wife 7
Sturzacker Jane 5
Shuttleworth Richard 8
Sanderson Nicholas 6
Scarisbrick Edward 20
Shepherd Robert 1
Spencer Edward 2
Scarisbrick Frances 320
Shirburne Sir Nicholas .. .. 1210
Stanley Anne 118
Speakman John 8
Sanderson Ralph 14
Scott Thurstone 10
Shepherd William 14
Scott Thomas 59
Syers Thomas 37
Smith William 12
Swarbreck John 23
Slater Gabriel 11
Slater Thomas 13
Sheppard Robert 11
Shuttleworth Margaret 15
Standish Cecilia 415
Sweetlove Thomas 1
Speakman John 8
Sweetlove William 6
Sergeant John 17
Snape Margaret 5
Speakman John 9
Sayle William
Sayle Alice 29
Shepperd Ellen 60
Singleton Anne 76
Thompson John
Trafford Richard 35
Turner James 6
Townley Mary 150
Tootell Jane 24
Townley Thomas 50
Townley Ursula 400
Townley Richard 991
Townley Catharine 50
Turner Mary 7
s.
d.
14
6
10
13
6
10
6
3
5
10
15
13
10
10
1
10
5
6
10
15
1
5
6
1
6
6
15
15
5
8
12
15
8J
19
1
10
13
9
19
10
15
15
10
3
6
10
13
5i
£ s. d.
Tickle Richard 54 4
Tildesley Agatha 52 10
Taylor John 25 5
Thelwall Thomas 16
Trafford John 303 2 7
Taylor John 10
Tatlock Thomas 25
Tootell Richard 5
Thornton Gilbert 18 15
Thornton John 6
Tristram Edmoud 35 8 4
Tarlton William 15 10
Taylor William 14 10
Turner Anne 10
TaylorOliver 10 15
Thornburgh Jane 40
Tomlinson Robert 10
Taylor Alice 17 10
Threlfall Cuthbert 3112 6
Tildersley Edward 720 9 2
Urmstone John 25
Urnsworth Edward 19 5
Urnsworth George 36 2 6
Urnsworth Thomas 16
Westby Thomas 20
Woodcock James 12
Worthington Matthew 2 5
Wilcock John 21
Worden George 7 2 8
Wilson Robert 5 10
Walmsley Richard 205 4 6
Westby Cuthbert 20
WiUasey Thomas 7 7 6
Winstanley William 46
Woolfall Richard 262 3 9
Whittle Richard 55 16 3
Walker George 19
Walmsley Wmiam 35
Wilson Lawrence 28 5
Whalley Thomas 8
Westby John 119 11 1
Whittle John 8 7
Woodcock Elizabeth 16 10
Woodcock John 19 19
Worsley Jennett 5 15
Wilson Richard 9
Worthington Thomas 7
Williams Ellen, Alice, and
Mary Woodcock 24 15
Woodcock Ellen 26 15
Whalley Thurston 12 8
Walker Robert 15 15
Walker William 7 10
Walmsley Mary 5
Westby John 230 5 IJ
Whiteside Mary 8 10
Whittle Margaret 4
Whitehead Richard 6
Williamson James 13
Waring John 10
Yates Sarah 27
Yates John 7 6 8
1611, May
1620, June
APPENDIX V.
VAKIOUS CEEATIONS OF ORDEKS, &c. (LANCASHIRE).
Lancashire Baeonets debated in the 17th and 18th Centdries.
Created ly King James I.
22. Sir Richard Molineux of Sefton, Knight, Irish Vise— viz.. Viscount Molineux.
Sir Richard Houghton of Houghton Tower, Knight.
Sir Thomas Gerard of Bryn, Knight.
28. Ralph Aehton of Lever, Esq.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX V. 337
Created ly King Charles I.
1627, June 26. Edward Stanley of Bickerstaffe, Esq.
1640, July 20. Edward Mosley of Auooats. Extinct.
1641, August 16. Robert Bindlosse of Borwicke, Esq.
1642, June 24. George Middleton of Leighton, Esq. Extinct.
1644, April 1. John Preston of the Mannour in Furnease Esq
1644, April 25. Thomas Prestwich of Holme, Esq.
Created ly King Charles II.
1660, June 7. Sir O^^-do BrHgeman of Great Lever, Knight, Chief Baron of the Exchequer, then Lord Chief Justice of the
A„„. fi =• c,T^?'V:i^??.^f'^"''*'''^^^°'''i-'^^«PS''"**e Great Seal Of England.
August 1. Sir Ralph Ashton of Middleton, Knight
1660-1, March 4. Thomas Clifton of CUfton, Esq.
1661-2, March 1. J^^ward Moore, of Moorehall Esq. [Note that this patent to Edward Moore, though at this time the receipt
ifi7fi 7 -p r, o T,- u i^ ,'-^"*PS* P*'® ^^^ ^^*^ "°*i' 22d Nov. 1675.) '
1676-7, Feb. 8. Richard Standish of Standish, Esq.
1677, October 8. Francis Anderton of Lostoke, Esq.
1679, Nov. 17. Sir Roger Bradshaigh of Haigh, Knight.
Created by King George I.
1720, June 18. Oswald Mosley of RoUeston, Co. Stafford, Esq.
Created by King George II.
1759, March 26. Sir Ellis Cunliffe of Liverpool, Co. Lancashire, Knight, with remainder, in default of issue-male, to Robert his
brother. '
Created ly King George III. to 1797.
1761, May 12. Thomas Hesketh of Rufford, Esq., with remainder to his brother, Robert Hesketh, Esq.
1764, Jan. 22. William Horton of Chadderton, Esq.
Wot' ^^^ u o!' ^^i^^""^ Clayton of Adlington, Esq , with remainder to the heirs male of his father John Clayton, Esq., deceased.
1781, March 24. John Parker Mosley of Ancoats, Esq. ' i >
1797 Oct. 30. Richard Onslow of Althom, Esq., vice-admiral of the red.
Tlie intended Order of the Royal Oak.
A List of Persons' Names [in the county of Lancaster] who were fit and qualified to be made Knights of the Royal Oak,^
with the value of their estates, Ann. Dom. 1660.
This order was intended by King Charles IL as a reward to several of his followers, and the knights of it were to wear a silver
medal, with a device of the king in the oak, pendant to a ribbon, about their neck ; but it was thought proper to lay it aside, lest it
might create heats and animosities, and open those wounds afresh which at that time were thought prudent should be healed. As
this is little known, we have judged that its publication would be as well curious as acceptable to the public.
Thomas Holt, Esq „ per ann. £1000 Thos. Preston, Esq per ann. £2000
Thos. Greenhalgh, Esq „ 1000 Thos. Farrington of Worden, Esq „ 1000
Col. Kerby, Esq „ 1600 Thos. Fleetwood of Penwortham, Esq , 1000
Robert Holte, Esq „ 1000 John Girlington, Esq „ 1000
Edmund Asheton, Esq „ 1000 William Stanley, Esq „ 1000
Christopher Banister, Esq „ 1000 Edward Tildesley, Esq „ 1000
Francis Anderton, Esq „ 1000 Thomas Stanley, Esq „ 1000
Col. James Anderton, Esq , 1500 Richard Boteler, Esq „ 1000
Roger No well. Esq „ 1000 John Ingleton, senior. Esq „ 1000
Henry Norris, Esq „ 1200 (Richard?) Walmesley of Dunkenhalgh, Esq. „ 2000
Barons and Baronesses by Tenure, Writ of Summons, or Letters Patent of creation : —
James Stanley, son and heir-apparent to William, Earl of Derby, Lord Strange, by summons, 3 Charles I. (in the summons
Stanley de Strange). There can be no doubt but when this summons was issued it was under the presumption that the barouy of
Strange of Knockyn was still invested in his father. This, however, proving a mistake, the House of Lords was compelled by a
certain degree of necessity to admit that this summons created a new barony, which, by virtue of the writ, afterwards passed to
and was recognised in the family of Murray, Duke of Athol.
A Catalogue of such Persons as have had summons to Parliament in right of their Wives, with the dates when first summoned : —
George Stanley, son and heir-apparent to Thomas, Earl of Derby, Baron Strange {i.e., of Knockyn, itire uxoris, Joane, daughter
and heir of John Lord Strange of Knockyn), 22 Edward IV.
The Names of those Nobleman's eldest Sons who have been summoned to Parliament in the Lifetime of their Fathers (by some title
which had descended to them ) or by the title of their father's Barony, and had place and precedence according thereto, with the
respective dates when they were so first summoned : —
Henry Stanley, Lord Strange, eldest son to Edward, Earl of Derby, 1 Elizabeth.
Ferdinando Stanley, Lord Strange, eldest son to Henry, Earl of Derby, 29 Elizabeth.
James Stanley, Lord Strange, eldest son to William, Earl of Derby, 3 Charles I.
A Catalogue of those Persons [in Cumberland and Lancashire] who were dignified by Oliver Cromwell with the title of Lord, and
called on to sit in his other, i.e. upper. House of Parliament : — ^
Charles Howard, of Naworth Castle, in Cumberland. '
Philip, Lord Wharton, Lancashire.
Sir Gilbert Gerard, Bart., Lancashire.
. IVom a MS. of Peter Le Neve, Esq., Noixoy, among the coHection by CroniweU, July |0.,;;^^^i,,He^^Jterwards o^^^^^^^^^^
of Mr. Joseph Ames. (Dugdale's "Baronage," vol. il.), and Earl of CarUsle. He appears
3 ThU Gentleman wi created according to Morgan (though not so to be the only one of the lords made by CromweU who, after the Restora-
tloefbv^Vug^lBZnamtlndfnd /isoount Howird ofWpeth, tion, was confirmed in the rank of peerage (General Monk excepted).
388 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VI.
APPENDIX VI.
COTTON— ANNALS OF THE COTTON MANUFACTURE— THE COTTON FAMINE.
Lancashire owes eo much of its wonderful development in population and prosperity to the import and manufacture of cotton, and
has made this manufacture so completely and peculiarly its own, that the history of Lancashire cannot be considered complete
without a fuller account of the subject than the mere scattered references to it in the accounts of the various parishes.
As to the natural history of cotton, Mr. Randal H. Alcock, of Bury, a gentleman who is not only a cotton manufacturer but a
careful and able botanist, and who has given especial attention to cotton, having himself grown all the attainable varieties, supplies
me with the following account : —
"The cotton plant — Gossypium — belongs to the natural order Malvacew, or the Mallow tribe, of which Lindley says, 'The
uniform character of the order is to abound in mucilage, and to be totally destitute of all unwholesome qualities.' The cotton plant
is to a small extent used medicinally in its native countries. ' The young leaves of Gossypium vitifolium are employed in Brazil in
dysentery, and, steeped in vinegar, are applied to the head in hemicrania.' The medicinal virtues of the cotton plant are also set
forth by the older botanists, as Matthiolus, Gerard, and Dodonteus. From its seed also an oil is expressed, though not of very good
quality, and the remaining oil-cake is good food for cattle, but inferior to linseed oil-cake.
" The genus Gossypium is distinguished by its large bracts, or epicalyx, as they are frequently called. These three large bracts
completely hide the calyx proper, which is small and inconspicuous. The seeds are surrounded by the wool-Uke substance known
as cotton or cotton wool. The species of this genus are either of small size and annuals — or more properly short-lived perennials
of varying duration — or shrubs, and trees of greater stature and longer life. They are natives of Asia, Africa, America, and
numerous tropical islands. The leaves are alternate and petiolate, and generally quincunx in arrangement, or five in a set, having
the sixth, or lirst of the next series, immediately over the first of the last, and two spiral turns round the stem, being completed by
the five leaves. This seems to be the general arrangement, but it is subject to considerable variation. The leaves are variously
lobed or divided, according to the species — indeed few plants vary so much in the forms of their leaves, not only in different species,
but also in the same species and even on the same plant. Some are entire, others three, four, five, six, or seven lobed, or more ;
some have small intermediate lobes ; some are long, others short ; some acuminate, and others rounded. The whole plant is
sprinkled over with blackish gland-like spots, which contain a purple colouring matter ; the other parts of the plant contain a yellow
colouring matter. Another series of glands near the base of the princip.il ribs of the leaves secrete a saccharine fluid. These
saccharine glands are also to be found not unfrequently at the base of each of the bracts on the outside, sometimes accompanied by
three others at the base of the true calyx. The stipules are frequently almost linear, but in some kinds are large and foliaceous,
always more or less falcate. The flower-stalk is axillary, or opposite to the leaves, sometimes by arrested development of the growing
point apparently terminal, usually single flowered ; flowers large and showy, various shades of primrose, with a purple spot in some
cases at the base of each petal ; some kinds are pure white, and others are reddish purple. The external whorl of the flower is
composed of three large bracts, which, according to the species, are more or less united at the base, and divided or split up at the
margin. The calyx is cup-shaped, obscurely, or more or less strongly, five-toothed. The corolla of five petals is hypogynous, and
is convolute in estivation. The staminal tube is dilated over the ovary, and is columnar above. The filaments are of varying length
in different species ; they are simple or forked, and bear kidney-shaped anthers. The ovary is superior, and three to five celled ;
the placentation is axile, and the ovules numerous, the style terminal, and the stigmas three to five. The capsule is roundish, or
ovoid, and dehisces loculicidally, and the seeds are covered, in most kinds, with a downy coating. In some sorts this down is green,
in others white, and occasionally it is quite absent. All cotton seeds are enveloped by the more profuse mass of hairy cellular tissue
known as cotton, which varies in length, strength, and colour. The embryo is curved within mucilaginous albumen : the radicle is
inferior. The cotyledons are leaf-like, and, in the same way as in the other parts of the plant, are dotted over with black spots.
" The excellence of cotton wool for manufacturing purposes depends upon the quahties of its fibre in respect to length, strength,
and colour, and these qualities are not uniform, but vary greatly, in different species, in different countries, and in proportion to the
care bestowed on its cultivation. Before proceeding to the consideration of the ditt'erent species of cotton, it will be well to notice
those pecuharities of its fibre which are common to all, and which cause it to be useful for spinning, while the cotton-like coverings
or appendages of several other seeds are of no use for such a purpose. The peculiar structure of the cotton fibre was pointed out
by Mr. James Thomson, of Clitheroe, in a paper which he read to the Royal Society in 1834, and he was led to the investigation of
the subject by the disputed question whether the cerecloths of the Egyptian mummies were made of cotton or of flax. A
microscopic examination of each kind of fibre— in which he had the assistance of the well-known miorosoopist Mr. Bauer— clearly
showed the absolute distinctness of the two fibres, and proved that these ancient fabrics were, without exception, linen, and not
cotton as had been contended. The cotton fibre is without divisions or joints. In the unripe state it is cylindrical, but shortly
changes its character, and even before the capsule bursts it assumes ». tape-hke form, at first sight like two tubes united by a kind
of web. The fibre in its ripe state is always naturally twisted, the number of twists varying from 300 to 800 in an inch. ' This
form and character,' says Mr. Thomson, ' the fibres retain ever after, and in that respect undergo no change through the operations
of spmnmg, weaving, bleaching, and dyeing, nor in all the subsequent domestic operations of washing, &c., till the stuff is worn to
rags ; and then even the violent process of reducing those rags to pulp, for the purpose of making paper, effects no change in the
structure of the fibre.' On the other hand, the flax fibre is always cylindrical, and jointed, something like a bamboo, and there is
never any twist about it. The cerecloths of these ancient Egyptian mummies were then linen. By the appUcation of the same
microscopic test those of Peruvian mummies have been proved to be cotton.
. " '^^^'^^ '^ a° ofder of plants neariy allied to the Malvacece, viz., the Stercvliacem, which in some genera, as Bombax and
^■wdewJron. resemble the cotton plant in having a hairy covering around their seeds ; but, as this substance has not the natural
twist which I have described, it is not available for spinning, and is useful only for stuffing cushions and such like purposes. These
are trees of a noble and beautiful aspect. The cotton-Uke fibres found about the fruit of the cotton-sedge, the thistle, the willow,
and several other vegetable hairs, are unsuitable, for the same reason. It is true that flax, hemp, jute, and China grass, are spun,
and have not the peculiar twist of the cotton fibre, but all these are woody tissue, which, originating in cellular tissue, has kerwards
acquired additional properties. j > -> o >
• "A^ *° ' J® number of the species of Gossypium there has been great difference of opinion. In our own country eminent
scientihc men do not come to the same conclusions as regards species and varieties, even in our own hmited British flora, how much
more must we expect differences of opinion where the native species are spread over the whole world, and the genus in question has
been cultivated for thousands of years. In truth, the materials do not seem to have been yet gathered together by which the
nuniber of true species may be set down with certainty. An attempt has been made to reduce them to two, viz., black-seeded and
white-seeded, while cultivators have told ua they can recognise as many as 120 sorts. Practical cotton spinners of medium counts
St yam, provided they are not botanists, find no difficulty in this matter. If you will ask them, they will tell you there are two
nn„tli'',fi„!,°^'',.°^ ^'^^ original edition o£ this work, obapters iv. y. vi., the Cotton Manufacture of Great Britain." Lond, 1837). Moreover works
S^Jf ?S 132 pages were occupied by a " History of the Cotton Manu- on the general subject (rare when Mr. Baines first wrote) are mw.o
nesstn hi, .1 tV "' '"^ ^^'t-^l\^'''''J acknowledged his indebted- easUy procurable that it is not deemed necessary in a county iJistoS *"
a semrate work' i* t„ S^^kV^^''^ Edward Baines, was superseded by do more than give such an outline of the facts on the subject of the
a separate work, into whioh it was enlarged and extended (" History of manufacture as may be valuable for reference.-B. H. ^
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VI. 389
principal sorts of cotton— American and Surat ; and this, indeed, is a good botanical distinction and a natural division as the two
families are so distinct that they will not inter-breed. We may then first divide the genus Gossypium into the two important
tnbes— Indian or old-world cotton, and American or new-world cotton. There are different species under each division but the
two races seem distinct and indigenous in their respective hemispheres, though by means of commerce they are now wide'ly spread
over the globe. ^
"According to modern authorities there are about eight usually admitted species ; but in the first instance, I shall treat of five
only, three of which belong to the Occidental or New World, and two to the Asiatic or Old World group. Four of these five species
there is no doubt, supply us with the chief bulk of our commercial cotton. These five principal kinds are— '
Gossypium iarladense, or Sea Island,
Gossypium hirsutum, in two varieties, viz., New Orleans and Upland.
Gossypium acuminatum, Brazilian.
Gossypium herhaceum, Surats.
Gossypium arboreum, the tree-cotton of India.
" 1. Gossypium barbadense, or the Sea Island plant, produces the finest and longest-stapled cotton grown, and is used exclusively
for spmmng fine yarns. It is so valuable as occasionally to have reahsed seven shillings a pound in the Liverpool market The
price for the best is at present (February, 1870) 4s. per pound. (The price of best Sea Island cotton in Liverpool,
September 22nd, 1887, was Is. lOd.) We obtain our chief supply from the coast of South Carolina, where its cultivation
extends from the mouth of the Savannah to the mouth of the Santee rivers, a distance of about one hundred and thirty miles.
Cultivated far inland, the wool loses its distinctive excellence. The seed which produces it was originally imported from
Anguilla, one of the Antilles. This species is a robust, handsome plant, is glabrous, and has sulphur-yellow flowers with a large
purple spot at the base of each petal. The bracts are deeply laciniated, and the leaves are, for the most part, distinctly five-lobed.
The seeds are black, and generally bare — in saying bare, I mean that they are destitute of the downy epidermal covering which I
have mentioned as pertaining to some species. This is, however, not a universal characteristic of the species, as many bwrbadenses
have a woolly clothing. The finest Egyptian cotton, which approaches the nearest to Sea Island in quahty, is also the produce of
G. barbadense, though other kinds are grown in Egypt to some extent. In the time of Pliny, cotton was cultivated in Upper
Egypt, but its cultivation was afterwards discontinued. It was recommenced by an enterprising viceroy, Mehemet Ali, as a private
speculation, and we received, in consequence, cotton from Egypt of excellent quality in 1823. So recently as 1827 or 1828, Sea Island
seed was first planted in Egypt, since which time it has continued to flourish. When we speak of Egyptian cotton we generally
refer to the produce of a robust, hardy form of Sea Island. In common with other long-stapled cottons that of the Sea Island plant
is not pure white but has a creamy tinge.
"2. The New Orleans cotton, or Gossypium hirsutum of Linnaaus, is, as its name indicates, a hairy plant. I do not notice the
discrepancies and obscurities which exist in the naming of various cottons to which the name hirsutum has been given. These may
soon be met with by any one who examines several herbaria. The name hirsutum has, by different authorities, been applied to
several cottons, but it is sufficiently descriptive to be very apphcable to the New Orleans. The flowers of this species are various
shades of pale primrose, sometimes nearly white, and without and purple mark at the base of the petals. The capsule or boll is
more orbicular or less ovoid than the Sea Island species. There are two varieties of it, the New Orleans proper, and that known as
Upland. The New Orleans proper has its seeds covered with a short white wool (or fuzz, as it is often called) ; the Upland variety
has a similar down, but green. The staple of the Upland is shorter than the Orleans. Gossypium hirsutum supplies the most
approved cotton of any species for general purposes. It comes to us generally in a clean and sound state, and is rarely adulterated
by the addition of other substances to make weight, in which respects it is much superior to most Surat. The staple is, on an
average,- a little longer than the best East Indian cottons that we import, and also more uniform in length, with a less proportion of
the short, light, and inferior fibre, technically called fly. There is also a peculiar silkiness in the American fibre which I cannot
explain, but the result of all is that the American cotton has a preference over Surat, as at present imported, unless, efter taking
into account the greater loss and expense in working, the latter is sensibly cheaper. Previous to the American war the United
States supplied us with by far the greatest part of our cotton for many years, and Middling Orleans was the chief standard of prices.
Now, Fair DhoUerah is an equally important standard. American cotton is not absolutely uniform, but varies considerably in
quahty, some samples being longer in staple than others ; some are white, some tawny, and some red. We hear sometimes also of
the blue American. This peculiar shade arises chiefly from the flne sand with which the cotton is contaminated. If we examine a
number of seeds from a bale of American cotton we may notice that some are covered with a thick coating of down, others more
sparingly, and some may be nearly or quite bare. Bare seed or scanty fuzz in New Orleans cotton indicate a greater or less degree
of ' degeneration,' as the planters express it. They call such cotton degenerate, because the plants then yield a less quantity of
cotton. This state arises from faults in culture, and also from late ripening when frost has stopped the growth of the plant. The
planters of New Orleans cotton renew their seed when it deteriorates from Mexico, or from the gulf hills in Mississippi, every fourth
or fifth year. Dr. Forbes Royle seems to think that the staple becomes finer and longer in degenerate Orleans. It is asserted, on
the other hand, that degenerated Orleans is in no way improved in staple. I may mention that some good authorities believe that
G. hirsutum is only a form of G. barbadense, and not a distinct species ; others believe the differences between the two forms to be
specific and permanent. I incline to the latter opinion, though, so far as the seed only is concerned, the hirsutum is so apt to
become bare. Uplands cotton is merely a variety of Orleans, very likely depending chiefly upon situation, soil, and such Kke
circumstances. The green coating of the seeds, which I have already mentioned, is very bright and striking, but, as we have seen,
this coating is a very variable feature. We find green-coated seeds in almost all our bales of American cotton. Last year I grew a
plant of New Orleans, crossed by Sea Island — a hybrid raised by Major E. Trevor Clarke, who supphed me with the seed, and to
whose horticultural experience I am indebted for much information. Now the Sea Island has usually a black, bare seed, and the
New Orleans is covered with a white fur, but the seed of the hybrid has a green covering like Upland. This, Major Clarke tells me,
is always the case with this hybrid. Upland cotton was early cultivated in Italy and Sicily under the name of Coton de Siam, and
indeed was formerly better known as the produce of these countries than of America. The older botanists, as Schwarz, Cavanilles,
and others called it by a very long and imposing name, ' Xylon Americanum prcestantissimum semine virescente.' The plant is
always cultivated as an annual, but is not really one, as it will continue, under favourable circumstances, to bear fruit three years or
more. Another striking and important variety of G. hirsutum is the kind known as Vine Cotton. This is a gigantic form of the
species. The boll is of very great size, and often contains as many as thirteen seeds in each cell. It differs from the ordinary
Orleans, chiefly, if not entirely, in its greater size.
" 3 The next commercial cotton to be noticed is Gossypium acuminatum of Eoxburgh. This is an arboraceous perennial. The
flowers are pahsh yellow, large, and almost hidden by the enormous bracts. The petals are marked with a slight purple spot, and
the capsule is long and large, much pointed at the apex. The specific name acuminatum was given to it by Dr. Roxburgh, probably
on account of the pointed character both of its leaves and capsules. Botanically G. acuminatum is especially remarkable in having
the seeds closely agglomerated together, instead of being free as in other species. By this peculiarity the species may be readily
distinguished from a mere inspection of the seeds. These are frequently called Kidney cottons. The Brazilian and Peruvian
cottons are chiefly of this kind, and are much esteemed ; they are included in Pernam, Maranham, Ceara, Para, Paraiba, Peruvian,
and several others though some of these cottons include other kinds than Kidney, but in less quantity. G. acuminatum is also to
■ be met with in the East and West Indies, and elsewhere. The quality of its staple is excellent, and its better sorts are of more value
than Orleans, as it is longer and stronger, and finer yarns can be spun from it.
390 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VI.
" All the cottons 1 have been describing belong to the New World group. We now pass on to those of India. We call Indian
cotton ' Surat ' in consequence of that port being the principal one from which it was formally shipped to us.
" i. The Indian cotton is Gossypium herbaceum of Linnseus, and there are many -varieties of it cultivated in various parts of
India, Rangoon, China, and Japan, and also on the shores of the Mediterranean. This species of the cotton plant is, perhaps, taking
all things into account, more important to us, commercially, than any. India is one of our dependencies, and we have had during
the last few years to rely upon India for the greater part of our cotton supply, and probably the greatest stay to our_ particular
industry will still be that country. In other ways the cotton of India is interesting ; the varieties are numerous, and their selection
and cultivation seem capable of improvement in various ways, to the great advantage both of Lancashire cotton spinners and Indian
farmers. Gossypium herlaceum includes all the indigenous herbaceous cotton of India, of which there are many varieties, indeed
most likely the specific name herbaceum does service for many kinds which are true and distinct species. Unfortunately it has even
come to be applied to the American Upland cotton, variously translated into ' herbaceous cotton,' 'cotone erbaceo' ' coton herbaoe,'
&c., which has caused not a little confusion. All the cotton which comes from India does not belong to the species herbaceum, for
others have been introduced at different times, and are to be met with in several parts, especially Brazilin and Bourbon— a kind
mentioned below, and latterly New Orleans. Herbaceous cotton has a stem more or less branched, one and a half foot to two feet
high, in temperate climates, but growing higher in the hotter countries. The leaves are palmate, sometimes three, but generally
five, lobed. There are two well-defined varieties (or, they may be species), judging by the leaves, one having broad lobes and the
other narrow. It is the former which is the G. herbaceum of Linngeus. In addition to its broad-lobed leaves it is peculiar in its
habit of growth, the stem, and more especially the branches, not being straight, but zigzag, making an angle at each node in an
opposite direction to the last. It was found by the early botanists growing in the Levant, whence, no doubt, Linnseus and others
received the specimens which are to be found in their herbaria. G. herbaceum presents great variety of form, so great that almost
every Indian village can boast of its peculiar breed of cotton. The species may be described as having the flowers axillary, generally
solitary towards the extremities of the branches, petals of a lively yellow colour, with a purple spot at the base of each, more rarely
white, in which case the spot is rose coloured. The segments of the exterior calyx are cordate at the base, the margins dentate,
sometimes entire, the capsules ovate, and three or four celled. The seeds are free and few in number, and are clothed with firmly-
adhering greyish down under the short-stapled cotton wcol.
" 5. There is a fifth undoubted species, which can scarcely be called a commercial cotton, as it is but little used for manufacture,
though it has been employed to hybridise and improve other Indian cottons. This is Gossypium arboreum, the tree cotton of India.
It is exemplified in what is known as Nurmah cotton. It is found everywhere in India, though not sown in fields, but generally
round gardens, near ponds, and especially about the temples, for it is, seemingly, looked upon as a sort of sacred plant. It rises to
the height of eight or ten feet, 'and when in flower is remarkably handsome. It is also very productive, and frequently continues
to yield cotton during a period of four or five years ; but is generally cultivated more for ornament than use.' I am not aware what
is the reason for this, as the staple is of good quality. The leaves of Nurmah cotton are deeply lobed, and have intermediate small
lobes, which were formerly supposed to constitute a specific character ; more recent knowledge has, however, proved the fallacy of
this supposition. Many supposed specific difiereuces have ceased to be of any value since the plant has been carefully observed in
the Uving state. The leaves, and all the other parts of the plants are of a pinky colour. When it first springs up from seed this is
very conspicuous, the stem being of a bright red. The flower is a reddish purple, and the seed is covered with a clear green down.
" The five species which have been enumerated are undoubtedly distinct (unless we class together G. barbadense and G. hirsutum) ;
but about all others there is a great divei'sity of opinion. With the exception of Bourbon, and what have been called West Indian
green seeds, few are commercially important, and others are but very imperfectly known. Dr. Forbes Royle, in his 'Cotton in India
and Elsewhere,' quotes Dr. Cleghorn, who writes from Edinburgh on this subject, and says that ' he had brought together all the
Asiatic and American species of Gossypium to be found in the University collection (which comprised the herbaria of Hamilton,
Countess of Dalhousie, &c., with additions from Wight and Campbell),' and ' the collection is large enough to illustrate the fact
that there has been an excessive confusion and muUipHcation of Sfccies. I believe all the specimens in the herbarium at the
University may be referred to:— (1) G. acuminatum, (2) G. herbaceum, (3) G. arboreum, (4) G. barbadense. Particularly he
mentions a great multiplication of species of Indian cotton.' He says, ' of G. herbaceum there is a great variety of specimens, bearing
I know not how many names, such as Gossypium nigrum, G. nigrum Iceve, G. vitifolium, G. indicum, G. viridescens, G. rubicundum.
All these,' he concludes, ' appear to me manifestly the indigenous G. herbaceum or country kupas of the Peninsular ryots.' There is,
however, httle doubt that there are many other species of cotton besides these four. Under these circumstances of doubt and
uncertainty I shall not venture to say much about other species of cotton, though they cannot be passed by entirely.
"First, then, there is Bourbon cotton, which has generally been taken to be very closely allied to (?. barbadense, if not identical
with it, though it is probably quite a distinct species, as yet unnamed in scientific parlance. It is called Bourbon cotton from
having been grown in the Isle of Bourbon, where it is supposed to have been introduced by the French from the West Indies. Its
seeds were early introduced into India, in many parts of which continent it is thoroughly naturalised, particularly in the south.
This sort is pretty widely distributed. A short time ago I had a lot from Puerto Cabello on the Caribbean Sea, which Major Clarke
tells me is veritable Bourbon. The plant is a small pyramidal tree, with glabrous three, five, seven lobed leaves. The flower is
small, and entirely pale yellow ; the capsule small, smooth, roundish, ovate ; the seeds naked or nearly so.
"Next there is West Indian green seed cotton, which I have just mentioned, a cotton apparently indigenous in the West
Indian islands, and which formerly supplied Europe with large quantities of cotton under the name of Coton Maurice, or Mauritius
cotton. It is a stout small tree bearing green seeds, and yielding a copious supply of cotton of good quality, closely resembling
New Orleans.
' In books one finds a species named religiosum — a name given by Linnjcus, but it cannot be recognised, and is supposed to
have been applied to a red or tawny cotton, from hearsay evidence that it was used for some part of the raiment of priests. It is,
however, now well established that many, if not all, cottons will occasionally produce this coloured fibre, as, for instance, the
Nankin cotton of China, Coconada cotton, red cotton amongst the New Orleans, and also amongst the Peruvian. Such a distinction
is therefore of no value.
" Other species which, according to Royle, appear to be distinct, though they yield but little of the cotton of commerce, are as
follow : G. raeemosum, said to yield the cotton of Porto Rico. This species has its peduncles supporting two or three flowers, each
with a pedicel. Tomentosum, frona the Sandwich Islands, a small cotton with tawny wool, also found wild in Fiji. It occupies a
large tract on the coast. There is also a species with entire, cordate, acuminate leaves, which appears to be unnamed ; it was
collected on Magdaleua Bay, Lower California.
" It is a point of considerable interest to endeavour to identify the commercial cottons with the plants which produce them. In
the Liverpool Cotton Brokers' Association Weekly Circular ' we find cotton classified, not botanically, but according to its value in
the market, the highest priced being at the head of the hst and the lowest at its foot. The kinds are divided primarily into five,
viz., American, Brazihan, Egyptian, &c,. West Indian, Ac, and East Indian.
" In the American list we have Sea Island and Stained Sea Island, which are G. barbadense ; then Upland, Mobile, Orleans, and
Texas, which are all derived from G. hirsutum.
" In the Brazilian list there are Pernam and Ceara, Paraiba, Santos, Bahia, Maoeio, and Maranham. These and other cottons,
which, though not specified, are included under the same head, are mixed, being for the moat part Kidney cotton, but also including
Bourbon, varieties of Sea Island and New Orleans. Varieties of the last, or possibly true native species, are to be found in Peru .
very large and tree-like.
THE HISTOKY 01 LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VI. 391
"The division 'Egyptian' includes Egyptian, Smyrna, &o., and is a very mixed lot. The Enest Egyptian, and that which we
receive m the greatest quantity, is from the barhadense or Sea Island stock ; some is from the Ursutum, and some possibly from
native sorts ; the Smyrna is from herbaceous or Eaat Indian cotton.
"The cottons included in the division 'West Indian,' are, perhaps, the most varied of all. The separate items are West
Indian, &c., Haytien, La Guayra, Peruvian, Carthagena, and African. In this list will be found Sea Island, Bourbon, Kidney and
West Indian green seeds, with a lesser sprinkling of all other Occidental cottons. '
"Of the East Indian cotton, the Liverpool Cotton Brokers' Association distinguish these kinds : Sawginned Bharwar (which is
accUmatised American from Louisiana), Broach, DhoUerah, Oomrawuttee, &c., Mangarole, &c., Comptah, and Scinde These are all
called Surats, and are chiefly derived from 0. herhacmm. Then there are Tinnevelly and Western Madras, which are the native
cotton with some Bourbon ; and lastly, Bengal, which is G. herhaceum.
"A great difficulty with the English manufacturer for a time after the year 1861 was the scarcity of cotton, consequent upon
the American civil war. During that war American cotton became very scarce, and advanced in price from its normal value of
about 6_d. a_ pound to SOd., and other cottons experienced a proportionate rise. This high price brought about an increased
production m India, and we also received some supplies from countries which do not usually send us any ; thus China, in ordinary
time, not only uses all her own cotton but also imports from India, yet, daring the American war we received a considerable
quantity of it from China. With lower prices our imports of China cotton have again altogether ceased. Having depended many
years chiefly on America for our cotton, the shorter staples of India required considerable alterations in the system of working.
Attempts have been made to improve the quality of Indian cotton by the introduction of American seed, and to improve it in
cleanliness by the introduction of the saw-gin for separating the cotton from the seed. However disinterested and praiseworthy
these exertions have been, we are forced to admit that they have been attended with only very partial success, and have, in many
cases, proved absolute failures. Experiments, with a view to improve Indian cotton, have been prosecuted with more or less vigour
since 1788, yet spinners do not find that the staple of Surat cotton alters much, if at all, in character. If I am right in believing
that_ India can produce its native cotton with greater advantage than it can foreign kinds, it would seem that improvements in
quaUty would be best made by the selection of the best native sorts, or of such foreign kinds as have been proved to answer, such
as Bourbon and Brazilian, of which the staple, in their adopted habitat, approximates to the native sorts. Abundant evidence
proves that American^ cotton does not answer in India. The conditions of soil and climate are different in India and America, and
these conditions it is impossible to modify. Efforts to improve Indian cotton in this direction are a mere waste of time and money,
and might well be laid aside. Native Indian cotton can be grown, but little, if at all, inferior to Uplands American, and will answer
all the purposes for which the latter is used. What the English manufacturer wants is plenty of it and cheap, the cleaner the
better ; and the more abundant we can get it, the better the means of conveyance, the more direct the communication between
the producer and the consumer, and the fewer obstructions to trade, of whatever nature, the more advantageous will it be alike to
England and to India."
The cotton plant, in one or other of its varieties, is a native of almost all tropical countries. The most ancient known seat of
its manufacture is India. Herodotus (book iii. c. 106) speaks of a plant there, bearing fruit, containing a wool finer and better than
that of the sheep, of which the natives make their clothes. Arrian {Indian History, c. 16), in his account of the voyage of Nearohus
down the Indus (B.C. 327), mentions the cotton clothing and turbans of the natives made from a shrub which he calls tola. Strabo
(book XV.) mentions the culture of the cotton plant in Persia in his day (the Christian era) ; and Pliny, towards the close of the first
century, describes the plant as cultivated in Egypt (Nat. Hist. lib. xix. c. 2, Delph. edit.), and called by some Gosaypium, but more
usually Xylon, " from which are made the fabrics which we call xylina," which he describes as beautifully white and soft, and used
especially as garments for the Egyptian priests. Cotton, however, had been of comparatively late introduction into Egypt, as not a
shred of cotton fabric has been found among the great varieties of stuff in the mummy-wrappings of the ancient sarcophagi ; and
Herodotus, in describing the curious vegetable wool of India, would hardly have omitted to speak of it as used in Egypt if it had
been known there in his time.
On the discovery of America, the Spaniards found the Mexicans already skilled in the manufacture of cotton, which they
wrought to singular fineness and beauty ; and cotton cloth was found by Lord Colchester among the mummy-wrappings in the
ancient Peruvian tombs. In later times, Mungo Park and his successors in African exploration have found cotton fabrics almost
universally known among the native African tribes.
From Pliny's comparing the cotton fruit to the quince it has been thought by some that the name Cotton was derived from
the name of that fruit, Ootoneum malum. It has, however, been well shown by Dr. W. Cooke Taylor, LLD.,' that this is a mere
verbal coincidence, as cotoneum is only a corrupted form of cydoneum, from Cydon, a city of Crete, whence the quince was supposed
to have been brought ; while, on the other band, cotton is one of the forms of the root tp^, Katan, to adhere or stick closely (a word
found in all the Shemitic languages) the most strikingly characteristic of the closely-fitting cotton robes having given its name to the
fabric of which they were made. And, Dr. Cooke Taylor further points out the curious fact that the word "to cotton " in the sense
of associating together, as also the noun " cottons," as the name of a close-fitting garment, were used in England before the vegetable
substance of that name was in this country at all. The word has probably come to us from the Arabic, m which the product is
called Kot6n pronounced gootn. The Mahommedan conquest made it known in Europe, and the name in Spanish, alfiodon, and
Portuguese, algodno, still retains the Arabic article. The cotton manufacture, thus proved to have been known from the earliest
historic times in India, and from India spreading through the East, was first introduced into Europe by the conquering
Mahommedans. Cottons were among the articles taxed with import duties on admission to the seat of the Eastern Empire, by
Justinian, in the sixth centuiy, but they were then brought to Constantinople in the manufactured state. The first seat of thf
manufacture was Spain, where it was introduced by the Moors about the tenth century, and where the cotton plant stdl grows
The first known mention of cotton in England is found in the accounts of Bolton Abbey, from which Dr. Whitaker (Hist.
Craven) quotes, in the year 1298-"w Sapo et cotoun ad Candelam, 17s. Id." Small quantities of cotton wool were probably
imported from the Levant for this purpose, i.e., for candle wicks. Next comes the mention by Chaucer (cw-M 1375), who describing
the knight in the prologue to the Ganterlury Tales, says: "Of fustian he wered a g.pon, and the same stuf^ a Spanish
manufacture named from the Spanish word fuste, substance, is named by Hakluyt half a century later as a weU-known article of
"""The manufacturer of cotton goods was not, however, introduced into England before the end of the fifteenth century probably
not tm the middle of the sixteenth. " Cottons " are indeed mentioned at an earlier date among English manufactures. Leland, ir.
1538 avs 0? Bo ton "Bolton upon moore markets stondith most by cottons and cowrse yarne Divers villages in the mores about
loao, says oi ooimu, Dui^, v ,^ „ u.„ever were in reality woollen fabrics imitated and named by the weavers of
E^n^^sht S^m the ver iable CO ns whtch"! has bein 'aSy Thown, 4re imported from the Continent. __ Thus we find the Act
i;ancasnire trom tne vemaDie co^^^^ making of woollen cloth," proceeds to specify "all the cottons called
Manchester Lancl^hie and Shr^^^^^^^^^^^ ; '' whUe the^'^ts of^about the same p'erio'd (33 Henry VIII. c. 15, "Touchinge the
MaS^fslctwrfrom Manchester to Westchester " [Chester], and 8 Elizabeth c. 11 for regulating various matters of
Sie t tde in ''cXnrfrieze^^^^^^ rugs") speak of these cottons being "frised" and "miHed," processes only applicable in the
1 .. Handbook of Silk, Cotton, and WooUen Manufacture," p. 93.
392 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VI.
woollen manufacture. Camden also (1590) speaks of Manchester excelling the neighbouring towns " by the glory of its woollen
stuffs, which they call Manchester cottons." A reUo of the use of the word still exists in the name " Kendal cottons," by which
a certain coarse woollen cloth has been known probably for five hundred years.^
The probability seems to be that the actual cotton manufacture was introduced about 1585, by the Flemish refugees, on the
fall of Brussels, Malines, and Antwerp, before the Duke of Parma. Many of these settled at Manchester and were encouraged by
the Warden and Fellows of Manchester College, who allowed them firing and wood for their looms from their woods, on paying
fourpence each by the year.
By 1641, however, Manchester was known for a manufacture undoubtedly cotton, in the true meaning of the word, when it is
described by Lewis Roberts in his Treasure of Traficke, who, speaking of this town, says, "they buy cotton wool in London, that
comes first from Cyprus and Smyrna, and at home work the same and perfect it into fustians, vermillions, dimities, and other such
stuffes, and then return it to Loudon, where the same is vented and sold, and not seldom sent into forrain partes." "
Once introduced, however, the cotton manufacture, at first chiefly fustians, and what Fuller in 1662 calls "Manchester Tickin,"
took firm root in the district. It was well suited to the labouring population and yeomen scattered throughout the Salford
Hundred, affording many processes in which every member of their households could render some assistance. By the beginning of
the last century many of the Lancashire gentry had begun to bind their sons apprentices to the cotton manufacturers, paying
premiums of £50 or £60 ; and though Dr. Aikin tells how the young men often revolted at the hard work and coarse fare, and
broke their indentures, enlisting or going off to sea, enough of them settled in the various seats of the manufacture to account, in
great measure, for the curious dispersion noticeable at the present day of the old Lancashire territorial family names throughout
the factory districts.
For the first century and a half after the introduction of the cotton manufacture the processes employed continued to be of a
very rude description — in fact, a mere adaptation of the appliances with which the people had been for centuries familiar in the
woollen manufacture. The cotton, arriving in bales from the Levant or the West Indian Islands, was carded between two hand-
cards like large wire hair-brushes, spun on the common single-thread spinning-wheel, and woven, by a =huttle thrown by hand, in a
rude loom, not much more efficient, though constructed with more mechanical exactness, than that which for a thousand years had
been in use in India.
Various causes, however, combined to hinder the cotton manufacture from continuing permanently in the same elementary
state as that of woollen cloths had done. The material employed was of an altogether finer description than the staple of the
woollen fabrics, and the imports of cotton fabrics from India were a continual reproach and challenge (such as the woollen manu-
facturers had never had to stimulate them) to the English spinners and weavers of cotton.
As has been the case with many branches of art and manufacture, imperfect inventions and discoveries, interesting as tentative
steps in the march of progress, preceded those which achieved success, and marked the great eras in the history of the cotton
manufacture.
1678. As early as the middle of the sixteenth century, an ingenious Frenchman, M. de G-ennes, contrived the first power loom,
which is described in the PhilosopUcad Transactions of the Royal Society for 1678. It did not come into practical
use, however.
1697. Total import of cotton wool, 1,976, -359 pounds.
1700. The importation of printed calicoes from the East Indies prohibited by law.
1721. Printed calicoes forbidden by law to be used or worn.
1738. The first distinct advance towards practical improvements in the cotton manufacture took place in this year. The fly-
ehuttle was invented by John Kay, a Bury man, who was engaged in cloth-weaving at Colchester, enabling the shuttle,
previously thrown by hand, to be thrown to and fro between the layers of warp by the alternate jerk from side to side
of a pick held in the right hand.
About the same time "stock-cards" of a much larger size than those previously held in the hand, the under card
fixed and the upper movable and suspended, which had been previously in use in the woollen manufacture, were
adopted for the carding of cotton.
In this year also a patent was taken out in the name of Lewis Paul for a plan of spinning by rollers invented by his
partner, John Wyatt, of Birmingham, who had been occupied upon it for a dozen years. The specification' distinctly
alludes to a succession of rollers, each set moving faster than the former ; but it is doubtful whether his idea was
anything more than that of adopting the processes of metal rolling to cotton, so as to compress it before being twisted
in the ordinary way. He attempted to carry out the manufacture by his invention in Birmingham (1739-41 and
Mr. Cave attempted it also in a spinning factory at Northampton, but without success.
1748. Lewis Paul took out two patents for carding machines, one of them by fiat cards, the other for carding by cylinders.
With the latter of these was a contrivance for stripping off the cotton by a stick with needles in it like the teeth of a
comb._ Carding by this cyhnder was used by Paul at his factory in Northampton, but did not for many years aiter
come into general use.
1758. Another patent for the spinning machine already patented twenty years before was taken out by Lewis Paul : but
though some improvements were introduced, including a more complete arrangement of the cylinder for carding, it
attained no practical success. o j e,
1760. A much less ambitious contrivance, that of the drop-box, enabling the weaver to use several shuttles consecutively,
merely dropping them at the side till wanted again, was this year invented by Robert Kav, son of the inventor of the
fly-shuttle, which now became of great importance, and was extensively introduced
These contrivances, doubling the amount of work which a weaver could perform, at once increased the difficulty of procuring
weft. The single- thread spinning wheels could not supply what was wanted, and the weaver often had to walk miles in a morning
to collect weft enough to last him the rest of the day. The demand for a quicker method of spinning became more urgent
1764. The spinning ]enny was invented by James Hargreaves, of Standhill, near Blackburn. This was, indeed, only a mechanical
extension of the prmciple of the old spinning wheel, but it enabled eleven threads, and subsequently as many as a
se"kir an ate^^t"" °°'^^' ^^^^ occupying some time in perfecting it, Hargreaves used it privately, without
1766. Cotton wool admitted duty-free in British-built ships.
1768. Hargreaves forced to quit Blackburn by the jealousy of his neighbours. He removed to Nottingham, and went into
partnership in a small spinning factory. In 1770 he patented the jenny.
2 n,1'^H.H°^t T''''ijj'°- ",i?™i''-°°'^.'" f,'^; P- "''■• ture," pp. 100, 101, where see many other extracts from earlv wi-iters
Quoted at length m Mr. Barnes's " History of the Cotton Manufao- iUustrative of the subject. ^
^ Given at length in Baines's "Hist. Cotton Maiiuf.," p. 122.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VI. 393
1769. Richard Arkwright took out a patent for his spinning machine, ultimately called the water frame, the first practica
application of elongation by rollers. He had been employed in maturing his invention for some years, first at Preston
(\yhere he first fitted up his machine in the parlour of the grammar-school-house), and afterwards at Nottingham. There
his mvention was taken up by Messrs. Need and Strutt, who entered into partnership with him. There has been great
contention as to Arkwright's title to be considered the original inventor of this machine. He himself refers, in the
case which he drew up in 1782, to the fact of previous attempts having been made to spin cotton by machinery, in
Birmingham and Northampton (Wyatt in 1738), and his claim was also disputed by Thomas Highs, a reedmaker of
Leigh. Whatever may have been his acquaintance with previous efforts of the kind, however, Arkwright seems to
have been the first to see how they might be combined and turned to practical advantage. In doing this he displayed
great mechanical skUl, and undoubtedly to him is owing, if not the original invention, at least its perfecting into the
shape which revolutionised the cotton manufacture.
1771. Arkwright's first mill built at Cromford.
1772. The carding machine was improved by the invention of the feeder by John Lees, of Manchester.
1774. Further improvements in carding by Mr. Wood and Mr. Pilkington.
1775. Arkwright took out a second patent for a series of machines, including carding, and the subsequent processes of drawing
and roving, by which the sliver of cotton doffed from the cards is first repeatedly drawn out and doubled and then
slightly twisted into a loose rovmg. Arkwright's carding machine, in this patent, embodied an important invention—
the metal comb, rapidly worked with a crank to doff the cotton from the carder.
These inventions and improvements of Arkwright gave an immense impetus to the cotton manufacture. From this time the
factory system dates its rise. Enterprising men from all parts of the country purchased the right to use his patents, or used adapta-
tions of them without purchasing them. He himself prospered, both by royalties ou his machines and still more by the skill with
which he managed his own manufactories. In a few years, however, the infringements of his patents had become so bold and general
that, in 1781, he_ instituted a series of actions, of which one, against Colonel Mordaunt, alone was tried. The result was that his
patent was set aside on the ground that the specification was obscure and unintelligible. After vainly endeavouring to interest the
Government in his " case," he again tried the issue of law in 1785. In that year he obtained a verdict in his favour, in February, in
the Court of Common Pleas, but the associated manufacturers carried the cause to the King's Bench, with the effect of finally
invalidating his patent in June of the same year. This, however, did not diminish his prosperity, which arose from his general skill
and enterprise as a manufacturer. He was high sheriff of Derbyshire in 1786, being knighted the same year. He died August 3,
1792, at the age of sixty.
1779. Samuel Crompton, a weaver of Hall-i'th-Wood, near Bolton-le-Moors, completed his invention of the mule, so called from
its combining the principles and advantages of the two great machines — the jenny and the water frame.
The water frame, with its system of rollers, spun good twist (for warps), but in the higher counts the tension caused by the
drag of the bobbins was too great. Crompton combined the system of rollers with an adaptation of Hargreaves' plan for elongating
the yarn by drawing out the spindles on a movable frame. He was quietly working at this invention from 1774 to 1779, and
produced yarns at that time of surprising fineness, ranging as high as 80 hanks to the pound, 40's being the highest previously
known. For 40's the price was 14s. per pound in 1776. Crompton was not a pushing man, and as he made no attempt to secure
a patent, his invention became common property, and the only reward he received was a grant of £5,000 from Parliament in 1812,
and a few hundred pounds raised on two occasions by subscription. This invention, following upon those already recorded, gave
a still further impulse to invention, concentrating attention especially ou the possibility of weaving by power. The same year
witnessed riots in many parts of the country, directed against spinning machinery.
1780. Muslin first attempted to be manufactured in England, but unsuccessfully, the yarn not being produced fine enough.
Within seven years, however, the mule had removed this obstacle, and muslin was largely manufactured.
1785. Cotton first imported into Liverpool from America, viz. five bags I
The first patent for a power loom, taken out by Dr. Edmund Cartwright, a Kentish clergyman. He took out a
second patent in 1787. This machine, however, though ingenious, and taken up by the Grimshaws, of Gorton, who
stocked a mill with them at Knot Mill, did not come into any general use. Dr. Cartwright, however, received a grant
of £10,000 from Parliameut.
The steam engine first used in cotton manufacture by Messrs. Robinson, of Papplewiok, Nottinghamshire.
1786. Total import of cotton wool during the year, 19,900,000 pounds, from the following markets : viz., British West Indies,
5,800,000 ; French and Spanish colonies, 5,500,000 ; Portuguese and Dutch colonies (East Indies), 3,600,000 ; Smyrna
and Turkey, 5,000,000 ; American States, 3,000 pounds.
1787. Heavy duties imposed on the importation of all foreign cotton manufactures, ranging from 20 to 50 per cent ad valorem.
These duties were augmented every few years, till, in 1813, they reached as high as 85 per cent on white calico.
1792. A self-acting mule patented by Mr. Kelly, of Glasgow.
Whitney's cotton gin invented.
1793. Fine counts, from lOO's upwards, first spun by power.
1794. A power loom patented by Mr. Bell, of Glasgow.
1796. A power loom patented by Mr. Robert Miller, of Glasgow. This was tried for some years at Mr. Monteith's mills, near
Glasgow, with two hundred looms, but without any success.
1797. The scutclung machine invented by Mr. Snodgrass, of Glasgow, for loosening and opening the cotton preparatory to
carding.
1798. Duties imposed on importation of cotton wool, varying from 4 per cent to about 6 per cent. These were, however,
repealed in 1801.^ . i lu-
1801. First construction of fire-proof cotton mill, Messrs. Philips and Lee, of Manchester, first applying cast-iron beams to this
1802. The first Act of Parliament, 42 Geo. III. c. 73, promoted by the first Sir Robert Peel, passed for the regulation of the
labours of apprentices in cotton mills, prohibiting then- employment for more than twelve hours a day ; prohibiting
night- work after June, 1804; and providing for their instruction and clothing; also for the whitewashing and ventilation
of factories.
Import duties on raw cotton reimposed, slightly higher than those of 1798.
1803. A power loom patented by H. Horrocks, of Stockport. . . .
1804 Thomas Johnson, of Stockport, by the invention of the dressing machine, patented this year, supphed the missing linU; in
power-loom invention, for want of which the looms aheady mentioned, though they had shown the practicability of
the principle, had failed to achieve any decisive success.
1806. Peter Marsland, of Stockport, patented a power loom with a double crank, and worked it in his own factory, though it
proved too complicated for general adoption.
1813. Important improvements made in the power loom by H. Horrocks, of Stockport, which he patented. This was the machine
which came into general use, for power-loom weaving, with various modifications. ,
1 The fuUest and most reliable details of the duties imposed at various in his valuable work, ' 'The History of the Cot;ton Manufacture," already
tunes on raw and manufactured cotton are given by Mr. Edward Bainea referred to.
.51
394 THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX Vl.
The same year the hand-loom weavers took the alarm, as the spinners had done in 1779, and the power loom? were
destroyed by the mob wherever they could find them. It was estimated that at this time there were not above 2,400
power looms in use ; and these, only being used for the coarser fabrics, had not at all lessened the demand for hand-
loom work.
1814. The duties on the importation of white calico from the East Indies, the previous year raised to 85 per cent, reduced to
674 P^'' cent.
1815. Robert Owen, of New Lanark Mills, on the Clyde, began'to advocate a ten hours' biU. The Act of 1802, having only
contemplated apprentices, had been evaded by the employment of non-apprenticed poor children. Sir Robert Peel
advocated Owen's views in Parliament.
1816. Sir Robert Peel (the first) procured the appointment of a commission to consider the state of factory children.
1817. Number of spindles employed in the United Kingdom estimated by Mr. John Kennedy at 6,646,833.
1819. Employment of children in cotton mills further regulated by Act of Parliament, 59 George III., called Peel's Act, which
prohibited the employment of children under nine years of age, and limited the labour of all young people under
sixteen to twelve hours a day, with other regulations.
1822. About this time double carding machines began to come into use in Oldham, and came to be known as Oldham engines.
They were, however, scarcely used at all elsewhere, until the precariousness of profits in the cotton trade during and
subsequent to the American war (1861-5), forced the manufacturers to avail themselves of even the slightest means
of simplifying and cheapening production. They are now coming extensively into use among spinners of coarse and
medium counts.
1823. Cotton first imported from Egypt, viz., 6,623 packages, averaging 500 pounds.
1825. A self-acting mule patented by Mr. Richard Roberts, of the firm of Sharp and Roberts, of Manchester. This, improved
by them (for which a further patent was taken out a few years later), was a great success, and came to be the mule
generally used.
A self-acting mule invented by Mr. Smith, of Glasgow, which is also very largely used.
First contrivances patented for stopping the loom on the breaking of the weft, by Messrs. Stansfield, Pritchard, and
Wilkinson, of Leeds. This, however — a slight mechanism attached to the shuttle itself — did not come into any
general use.
Mr. Huskieson reduced the enormous duties on foreign cotton manufactures, previously 37J per cent, and 67J per
cent on muslins or nankeens and white calico respectfully, to a uniform duty of £10 per cent ad valorem, with 3Jd.
per square yard if printed.
1829. Danforth's American Throstle, patented by Mr. John Hutchinson, of Liverpool. T..c throstle is represented in some
works as distinct from the old water frame, but in reality it is merely the name which was given to Arkwright's
spinning machine at a later period when its construction had been simplified.
1831. Duty on raw cotton, previously 6 per cent ad valorem, fixed at Ss. lOd. per hundredweight.
Another Factory Bill brought in by Sir John Hobhouse and Lord Morpeth, to shorten the labour of all young
persons under eighteen, in cotton, worsted, woollen, linen, and silk mills, to eleven and a half hours a day, and eight
and a half on Saturdays. The Act as it passed, however, was limited to cotton mills, and left the term of labour at
sixty-nine hours a-week.
1832. Number of spindles in the United Kingdom estimated by Mr. Baines at 9,333,000 ; number of power looms, 203,373.
The additional duty on printed calico, 3Jd. per square yard, repealed.
1833. Earnest attempts were made by Mr. Sadler, Mr. John Fielden, Mr. William Cobbett, and Lord Ashley, to induce
Parliament to pass a ten hours' bill. A Royal Commission was appointed, at the instance of Mr. John Wilson Patten
(afterwards Lord Winmarleigh), to collect information on the condition of children employed in factories.
Duty on foreign raw cotton reduced to 23. lid. per cwt. ; from British possessions to 4d. per cwt.
The self-acting temple invented by Mr. William Graham, of Glasgow. This kept the cloth constantly stretched by
the action of a pair of clippers It has, however, been generally superseded by the use of roller temples.
1834. On the report of the commissioners a new Factory Act, 3 and 4 William IV. c. 103, was introduced by Lord Ashley,
but being carried out of his control by Government, was passed with very little improvement on the Act of 1831.
It prohibited the labour of young persona under eighteen from 8-30 p.m. till 5-30 a.m. in cotton and other factories
(silk factories excepted) ; limited the employment of persons under eighteen to twelve hours in one day, and sixty-
nine hours a week ; and of children under eleven to nine hours a day, and forty-eight hours a week ; requiring for
these last two hours' schooling a day ; and for the first time appointing inspectors.
The weft fork patented by Messrs. Ramsbottom and Holt, of Todmorden — a very ingenious contrivance, by which
the breaking of the weft at once stops the loom. This, still further simplified, has come into almost universal use.
1836. Number of operatives employed in spinning and weaving factories in the United Kingdom, 237,000. (Estimate by Mr.
Baines, founded upon reports of factory inspectors.)
About this year, the card-making machine invented by Mr. J. C. Dyer, of Manchester. It was exhibited at the
meeting of the British Association at Birmingham in 1839.
1844. Another Act for regulating the hours of labour of women and children in factories was brought in by Sir James Graham
for the Government, and passed, the amendments of the ten hours' bill party being defeated. 7 and 8 Vict. c. 15.
1844. An mgemous plan for coiling the sliver as it is run out from the carding machine, patented by Mr. John Tatham.
1845. Duty on cotton finally repealed.
1847. The Ten Hours Bill, brought in by Mr. John Fielden, M.P., passed, 10 Vict. c. 29.
1849. Mason's long collars, for .steadying the spindles in roving-frames, introduced. Higgins's do., which have also come to he
widely used, were introduced in 1860.
1860. The Ten Hours Act of 1847 having proved technically defective, owing to the adoption of the shift, or relay, system,
which had not been provided against, an attempt was made by its promoters to procure its amendment. Meanwhile a
tint' °™"8ljt in by Lord Ashley, to settle the question by conceding 10^ hours a day with 74 on Saturdays (instead
ot 10 hours a day with 8 on Saturdays, the settlement of 1847). This was strenuously opposed by a large proportion
ot the advocates of the previous Act, but was carried ; 13 and 14 Vict. c. 64. It is under this Act that until 1874
ot'^TJa^ ^■ *° ''' worked. The Act was slightly amended by 16 and 17 Vict. c. 104 (1853), and 19 and 20 Vict,
c. 38 (1856) ; and in 1860 was extended to bleaching and dyeing works (23 and 24 Vict. c. 78), and in 1861 to lace
lactones (24 and 25 Vict. c. 117). A further agitation with respect to hours of labour was set at rest by the
A ^° lavQ t °^}?'^ (37 and 38 Vict. c. 44), and the work of legislation was crowned by the Factories and Workshops
Act 1878, by which the whole of the scattered legislation, embracing forty-five Acts, and extending over a period ot
50 years, was brought into one lucid and harmonious whole.
1851. At the Great Exhibition this year, muslin exhibited, manufactured of yarn of the extraordinarily fine count, 700's, spun
,^« r, •*', ■' H°"l<i™°rth of Manchester. In 1862 they showed yarn still finer.
1^58. Revolving flat cards, mtroduced in carding, and loose boss top rollers in spinning, patents of Mr. Evan Leigh, of
Manchester.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VI. 395
I860. Mr. E. Arthur Arnold in his History of the Cotton Famine, p. 25, estimates the number of cotton mills in Great Britain
at 2,650, worked by about 440,000 persons, whose wages amounted to about £11,500,000 a-year. Number of spindles,
30,387,467 ; number of power looms, 350,000.
For a generation past improvements have taken place in the machinery employed in the cotton manufacture, which, though in
reahty very considerable, have not been of a kind to be separately recorded. No great inventions have been made. No such epochs
have occurred in the manufacture as those which are connected with the jenny, the water frame, the mule, the power loom, &c. The
principle of the machinery has remained almost unaltered, but improved mechanical arrangements have secured greater accuracy or
speed in the movements ; and every maker has introduced small modifications of his own, invention following invention, until the
spinner and manufacturer have great difficulty in deciding on their respective merits.
This general course of advancement has also been greatly facilitated by the great improvement which has taken place in the
make of mechanical tools, lathes, drills, planing machines, &c. Hence the almost entire disuse of wood in cotton machinery,
replaced by cast or wrought iron ; and hence, too, constantly increasing accuracy in the fittings, and greater strength and stability,
combined with hghtness. So great has been this advance, that Mr. Chadwick estimates the improvements of the twenty years
preceding 1860, as measured by increased production and increased economy, as follows : —
Percentage. Percentage.
Increase of Production. Saving of Labour.
In willowing and blowing machines 20 to 25 20
In carding machines 20 to 25 20
In drawing frames 20 to 25 50
In slubbing and roving 20 to 25 40 to 45
In spinning and doubling, by increase in size 100 40
In looms 25 ■■■■ 50
As to the rate of improvement in spinning, the late Mr. J. Kennedy, of Manchester, gives the followmg figures :—
Hanks Spun per Spindle per Day.
1812. 1880. 1858.
YarnNo. 40's 2-0 2-75 ...... 275
Cost of Labour at the Three Periods.
Yarn No. 40's Is 74d 5d.
Speed, therefore, had almost reached its safe maximum in 1830, and the extra production since is chiefly due to the increased
''"" °4fktTstr Thomas Bazlev. Bart., M.P., in a paper read at the Society of Arts in 1862, says : "The last year of full occupation
for the cotton trade was 1860. "The number of spindles then employed was about 32,000,000 and the number of looms employed
alx>ut 340 000 The production in the machine-making trade had doubled within ten years Bleach print, and dye works had been
Welv extended during that period. The fixed invlstments, including the value of land and rights to water, amounted to not
efthanieS.OOO.OOO Stirling, to which must be added a working capital of £20,000,000 ; add to these, again, the ^^ ;>« ^^ --^«^^^t^,
and tradesmen's stocks at home and abroad, the value of raw cotton and subsidiary materials, and of bankers capital, and the grand
total of capital employed in the trade will not be less than £200,000,000 sterling.
Mr. Henry Ashworth thus sums up the progress of the cotton trade, &c., of Lancashire :—
In 1760 Dr. Perclval stated the value of one year's production at ^^^ OOo'oOO
In 1860 Mr. Bazley „ » 3 870 000 lb
In 1769 the cotton imported into the United Kingdom was 1 083 60o',000 lb!
In 1860 „ „ " ■ ' ' ids. lid*.
In 1784 the value of lib. of 42 s yarn was j^-^^_
In 1860 „ „ 38s.'
In 1786 the value of lib. of lOO's yarn was 2s. 6d.
In 1860 „ " ,, , ,/■•■:•■•; 'i'-""Z^l £97,242
In 1692 the real property assessed for land-tax m Lancastiire was £3,087,774
In 1815 „ >. " £8,'640'695
In 1851 „ .. " £11,453,851
lib. of flannel would cost 2s' 4d.
lib. of linen „ -^^ q^'
country upon the earth. . „„„%;„„ inferior kinds of cotton, in the absence of American, gave a
During the American civil war (1861-5) t'?^ ^^^^^f ^^ "^ T^^" ^ rnTnufaSure. The Indian cotton, of a much shorter staple
Famine. . ■ xi, i +•„„;„ iSfin of Mr Abraham Lincoln to be President, being a great party triumph of
In the United States of America, the election in 1860 of Mr^ ™^^^ by a number of the Southern states The inevitable
the Republican over the Democratic party, '^-^ J" ^^^^^^^'^Pt^i'^VoTthe supply of cotton material to England, which had been too
;^rn86^^
^"'i'-^lf-^enfy-eig^t unions were-Ashton-under-Lyne, Barton-
396
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VI.
was asain 7 000 ■ and the recipients of relief in January, 1862, were 12,000 (or about 25 per cent) more than in January, 1861. But
These statistics were no real measure of the extent of the distress. Savings banks, the loan funds of co-operative societies the funds
of friendly societies, and the allowances of trades societies, were all largely helping to support those thrown out of work. Month
aLr month only witnessed the rapid extension of the distress, which seems to have reached its height in the month of December
1862. The following table will show the progress of the work of rehef :—
Numbers Oct of Work, Numbers Relieved, and Proportions op Persons Relieved io those
Entirely Out of Work.
1862.
June
July
August . . . .
September .
October
November .
December .
1863.
January ....
February. ..
March
April
May
June
July
August . . . .
September .
October
November .
December .
1861
January ....
February .
March
April
May
June
July
August ....
September ,
October . . . ,
November ,
December
1865.
January ...
February
March
April
May
Out of Work.
244,616
247,230
228,992
239,751
240,466
215,522
191,199
168,038
178,205
171,535
160,835
154,219
159,117
149,038
158,653
153,864
1 48,920
124,828
116,550
105,161
101,568
102,090
135,821
171,568
153.295
126,977
114,488
115,727
113,794
104,571
86,001
Relieved.
129,774
153,774
216,437
277,198
371,496
458,441
485,434
461,343
432,477
420,243
362,076
289,975
255,578
213,444
204,603
184,136
167,678
170,268
180,298
202,785
203,168
180,027
147,280
116,088
100,671
85,910
83,063
92,379
136,268
149,923
130,397
119,544
125,885
111,008
95,763
75,784
Proportion Relieved,
187 per cent
196 „
197 „
180 „
174 „
168 „
151 „
152 „
129 „
119 „
114 „
108 „
107 „
120 „
127 „
132 „
120 „
117 ,,
99 „
95 „
84 „
81 „
68 „
78 „
97 „
102 „
104 „
108 „
97 „
91 „
On the assumption that each unemployed operative represents 2J persons, one-fifth of the whole were without relief when the
proportion was at the highest. Without entering into any of the harrowing details of want, starvation, and misery, of this long
period of suffering, we turn with pleasure to a few of the remarkable features of the relief so promptly, widely, and able
administered. This relief was both in money and kind, in provisions, bedding, clothing, house-rent, &c. It was administered, to an
extent that can never be known, by individual and private charity and sympathy ; in the shape of poor-rate it was in vastly
increased ratio paid at the relief boards ; and in voluntary contributions — not only from all parts of the United Kingdom but from
all parts of the civilised world — it was distributed through the agencies of great central and small local committees.
The earliest great organisation seems to have been what has been called " The Mansion House Fund," originated at a meeting of
city merchants, &c., on 25th April, 1862 ; and the subscriptions for the cotton operatives, then commenced, reached ultimately the
magnificent sum of £528,336, in addition to large supplies of blankets, clothing, iVc.
On the 29th April, 1862, a meeting of gentlemen of Manchester, called together by the Mayor, Mr. Thomas Goadsby, was held
in the Town Hall, to consider the propriety of forming a Relief Committee ; but the general opinion expressed — so little was the
situation understood — was that there was no necessity for any other than existing agencies to deal with the distress. A second
meeting was convened in May, and during its adjournment for a week, to give time for practical suggestions, a committee was formed,
principally of Manchester men, with Mr. John Wm. Maclure as the honorary secretary, and to it were afterwards added the Mayors
and ex-Mayors of all the boroughs in the cotton districts. On the 19th July a meeting of noblemen and gentlemen connected with
Lancashire was held at Bridgewater House, London, and the subscription there originated reached in five hours £17,000, and ultimately
amounted to £52,000. The Earl of Derby accepted the office of chairman ; Colonel Wilson Patten, M.P. (the present Lord
Winmarleigh), that of treasurer ; and Sir J. P. Kay Shuttleworth that of honorary secretary of the committee. The Manchester
subscription at that date was about £30,000, collected by local committees, which were afterwards allied with the central executive,
and some voluntary contributions sent in without canvassing. The Bridgewater House Committee, a Special Relief Committee, and
the Manchester Committee, were all formed into one central executive — the General Committee still existing, but the real work being
done by the executive. A speech of Mr. Cobden stimulated the executive to enlarge their sphere of action in seeking contributions
throughout the kingdom ; and by the end of January, 1863, there had been collected in Manchester and Salford, by a local collecting
committee, and by various local committees in other places, not less than £130,000. Many county meetings were held, and there
was scarcely a borough or parish in the kingdom which did not freely respond to the cry of distress. At the county of Lancaster
meeting, on the 2nd December, 1862, a list of subscriptions was handed in of £70,000 additional to the rehef fund. The
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE- APPENDIX VI.
397
u ?!T, ?°^^® Committee, in handing over the funds to the central executive for distribution, laid down the principle that thev
should be applied only to such operatives as were not in receipt of relief from boards of guardians. The District Provident Society
was adopted as the distribution committee for the townships of Manchester and Hulme, with branches ; Salford had an independent
local committee ; and the central executive decided to recognise only one local committee in each of the outlving towns. The scale
of rehet ultimately adopted by the central executive (and by the local committees in October, 1863) would" average about 2s per
head per week, givmg rather more to small and rather less to large families. The executive offered for adoption three specimen
scales ; allowing also m winter a supply of fuel and clothing —
No. 1.
No. 2.
No. 3.
Single person
s. d.
3 6
5 6
6 9
8
9 9
11 3
12 9
14
s. d.
3 6
5 6
6 9
8
9 3
10 11
12 8
14
B. d.
3
5
6 3
8
9 9
11 6
13
14
Man and wife
Man, wife, and one child
„ „ two children
„ ,, three „
„ „ four „
„ „ five „
„ „ six „
It was thought that such a scale, varying from one-fourth to one-third of ordinary wages, would not materially lessen the
inclination for any kind of work for wages, whenever such work was to be had, especially as relief was coupled with " disciplinary
work," viz., outdoor labour, or elementary instruction in schools for men and boys ; and instruction in sewing schools or classes
for women and girls._ In the winter of 1862-3 there were at one time 48,000 men and youths in attendance at these schools, many
of which were also in the evening, for instruction and recreation ; and in Manchester and its vicinity lectures and concerts were
given. More than 41,000 females were in the sewing classes in March, 1863. The whole of the large fund from Australia, or New
South Wales, was specially appropriated to schools for youth, sewing classes for females, and the payment of the school pence of
children. The scheme was carefully organised and perfected, and daily tasks carried on, until the gradual increase of employment
in mills and on public works, emigration to other counties, and emigration to the United States, Canada, Australia, and New-
Zealand drained the schools of their pupils.
The following table shows the number of persons who were relieved by the Poor-Law Guardians in the last week in November,
1861 and 1865, and by the Guardians and Relief Committees in the corresponding week in November, 1862, 1863, and 1864 : —
1861.
1862.
1863.
1864.
1865.
Ashton-under-Lyne ...
Barton-upon-Irwell ...
Blackburn
Bolton
1,827
663
4,110
3,200
1,503
1,782
1,350
2,042
624
633
667
221
946
903
636
2,158
4,678
1,622
4,805
601
2,060
237
2,507
1,902
1,674
795
1,131
2,360
56,363
3,910
38,104
19,525
17,502
29,926
7,527
15,367
1,379
1,282
1,026
7,605
17,346
1,129
2,722
5,609
52.477
28,851
49,171
4,794
24,961
2,414
16,663
2,635
34,612
7,590
1,992
14,959
23,568
1,230
9,457
8,013
13,046
10,048
3,409
9,984
976
1,086
696
6,752
3,340
1,025
1,091
2,775
13,818
8,371
17,489
1,958
8,] 32
1,287
5,600
1,856
10,661
1,689
1,416
11,527
20,638
1,220
10,012
6,543
16,948
15,113
2,471
5,694
1,138
771
807
3,263
7,108
901
901
2,429
9,035
9,164
13,226
1,078
6,243
988
3,600
2,030
8,593
2,696
1,458
5,855
1,417
896
4,083
3,166
1,557
2,932
1,155
3,993
547
699
458
195
1,243
789
806
2,310
5,046
1,892
2,377
593
1,789
261
2,265
1,354
1,189
668
1,220
3,538
Burnley
Chorley
Clitheroe
Fylde The
Garstang
Glossop
Haslingden
Lancaster
Manchester
Oldham
Prestwich
Rochdale
Saddle worth
Salford
Stockport
Todmorden
Warrington
Total
47,537
458,441
170,268
149,923
48,267
An emi..ranta' aid society was estabUshed in Manchester m April, 1863 simply to aid such as were determined to go to the
colonies From various sources the funds reached £4,600, which assisted m the outfit of 834 statute adults, and aided the passages
of 385 ■ So far as could be ascertained from the passenger Usts of the custom-house authorities the number of spinners and weavers
who left LeUr^ted Kingdom were : In 1861, 123 ; in^862, 562 ; in 1863. 2,086 ; and in 1864, 1,187. In the three last years an
o„<.™o.<. n( 1 ynn r,»rBnn=i pmierated vearlv, whose occupations were not specified m tlie lists.
tL otal surdTt ibSt rJfef by the central executive through the various committees was £841,809. To this the Mansion
j.iie tuuii Buui hesides sendine £63 531 to committees in Ashton-under-Lyne district, which were not recognised
hvTe crtTa\ commt ee and the v^^^^^^ -ade local collections amounting to £297,008, and received
dLct from ^therTourfes £49°65^^ amount of local subscriptions is to be added about £80,000 collected in Manchester, and
398
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VI.
■A A- .„t W +T,P mllPotino oom-uittee into the funds of the general committee. Thus the total sum of money distributed by
paid direct by t^«„5°l!f,°^^°9° "^^^^'^^f^^' ^ which there passed^ in food and clothing, through the hands of ^the^central^exec^
barrels of beef, b
&c., 225 deer, with many 1
committees was £1,661,679 ; in addition ^to
16,500 barrels
of flour 997 barrels of beef, bacon, &o., 500 barrels of biscuits, 410 cases of fish, 228 sacks of potatoes, carrots turnips
with mLnThundred pheasants, rabbits hares. &c., 28 chests of tea, 2i pipes and 108 dozens of wine, ">519 ton^o*
""i '.7a M^bT es oTdothius blankets, and clothing materials. The whole of these contributions in kind were valued at £111,968,
ml'infthftotil amount of pubufs^^^^^ bullion seven hundred and se^enty-tkree thousands, hundred and forfy-seven
pounds. , , . ,, i „i „^<.„,t;„ptn <!l^t necember 1864 shows the receipt of 25,999 separate individual donations,
amou^tL' to £"42'865 -{M^n^ltZT^J^^l^Ld^^^^^^ collections ^rom 5,403 parLhes of £65.517; and collec-
amounting to £24A8b6, co-ieoiions , committees were organised in 1,241 places m connection with the central
cTm'tre^^ Mtc^ster X u^^^ in connection with the Mansion^House Fund ; and the exertions of those who remitted
conamittee at mancuestei , ^^«'"^' « ^ ^gg g ^^^^ ^^^^^ three-flfths of the funds resulted from regular organisation and sus-
°- T fffri n^/sillh rom sprtaneous ndiv dual benevolence, one-seventh from coUections in places of worship and about one-
tamed effort one-sixth from spo^^^ ■ ^^^^^^^ ^^^ balance-sheet show that the collections by local
sixtieth from the working-peoptee^^^^^^^ Manchester collecting committee, were equal to 41 per cent of the whole
committees (m the Lancashire distnctjm^^^^ distributed by the Mansion House Committee. In other
wra'strlct conlin^g abLuO per^^^^^^^^^^ of England and Wales! whilst offering under the paralysis of the
rttonfamine S destooyed one-h^f of its principal industry and inflicted a large extra burden o poor-rates, yet contributed
24 ner cent of the whole relfef fund, in addition to the immense amount it distributed in private chanty, which cannot be reduced
into' stSis i II shaS Of the who e amount of foreign and colonial subscriptions (£93,041),^55 per cent was sent from Austraha
them across to Liverpool to help the distressed operatives of Lancashire. . , , .^, , . , ,
Of theVariouIlar^e towns in England which, through local collecting committees, obtained and remitted sums m each case of
£1,000 and upwards to°the ceutral committee to November, 1864, the foUow-ing may be enumerated ;— „t , , 7„^ . y,„^ <,.
Birmingham, £8,000 (balance in hand, £6,816) ; Bristol, £5,000; Bradford (Yorkshire), £10,500 balance £11 178) ; Bury S^^^
Edmunds, ll,167 ; Birkenhead, £1,240 ; Bath (to the Mansion House ColtteX.£2,33^^ SeS
rhalaTicp £5') q^51 '• Canterbury, £1,748 ; Cheltenham, £3,678 ; Cambridge University, £3,301 , ,„,,„„„,
(balance ±55,y6&)^^oan«rDm^^^ ^ ^^ _ (,,^^^^^^j,^j'^_ ^.^^200; Darliniton, £2,500; Devonport, £1,358 ; Derby, £1,590; Great
Chichester, £1,303 ; Chester (city)
Halifax, £1,000
Malvern £1,141 ; Gloucester, £5,752 (and £2,942 through other channels) ; Huddersfield £2,000 (balance (£5 13* ;
and £3,271 to various local committees (balance £1,977) ; Ipswich, £2,000 (baUnce £1,033) ; Kensington, £1 670 (balance £1 100) ;
Kendal and Lonsdale wards, £1,900 (balance £1,600); Liverpool, £57,125 (£1,544 elsewhere, and balance £35 579) ; Leeds £7,000
(balance £18,064) ; Leicester, £5,265 ; Maidstone, £1,140 ; Malton. £1,546 ; Northampton, £1,213 ; Newcastle-on-Tyne £4,023 ;
Oxford (University) £5,574, (city) £1,100 (and balance £1,000), (county) £2,098 ; Plymouth £1,550 ; Pimlioo, £3,278 ;Ripon
£1,162 ; Rotherham, £1,041 ; Shrewsbury, £1,603 ; St. Pancras, £2,739 ; St. Margaret's and St. Johns, Westminster, £1,540 ; St.
Marylebone, £10,000 (and balance £889) ; St. Helens, £2,550 ; Stroud (borough), £2,052 ; Staffordshire (county\ £4,936 ; South-
port £3 963 • Swansea, £1,800 (and balance £480) ; Sunderland, £1,787 ; Sheffield, £2,500 (and balance £8,161) ; Worcester, £2 000
(and balance £740) ; Wolverhampton, £3,616; Walsall, £1,020 ; Warwickshire, £6,017 ; Warrington, £3,060 ; York, £3,085 (and
balance £1,930).
ireZand-Belfast, £4,378 ; Cork (city) £1,800, (county) £1,550 ; Dublin, £25,000. ■ ^,, „„-
Scotland.— Aherdeen, £8,000 ; Arbroath, £1,136 ; Banff, £1,063 ; Dundee, £6,125 ; Dumfries, £4,500 ; Edinburgh, £34,265 ;
Fife (county), £2,379 ; Montrose, £1,110 ; Perth (city and county), £4,023. .
The Cotton Famine Fund left in the hands of the central executive about Is., and in those of the Mansion House committee
about 6d. in the pound of the respective subscriptions unappropriated.
Amongst other modes devised for relieving the pressure was the Public Works Act. In February, 1865, Mr. Robert Rawhnson
(who had a special mission as to the applications for loans from Government for public works) informed the central executive that
the total amount devoted to the Public Works Act was £1,850,000, the whole of which (except £3,918) had been appropriated in
about 90 places, having been taken up in 155 separate loans. The larger portion of the expenditure was on sewerage and street
improvement works, including the formation, paving, and flagging, channeling, and kerb-stones of streets, and also the widening,
re-forming, and improvement of highways in the rural districts. The total amount of loans ordered by the Poor-law Board, under
the Public' Works Act, was £1,846,028 ; of which £370,946 was for public sewerage works, £839,007 for road and street improve-
ments, £414,629 for water supply, £58,285 for public works and recreation grounds, 13,038 for cleansing, embanking, and pitching
rivers, £12,453 for land drainage and other agricultural works, £52,550 for cemeteries, £59,139 for the erection or extension of
market-places, £10,830 for gasworks, and £5,000 for public baths. The total amount to be lent to any local board or other authority
was limited to one year's rateable value of the property assessable within the district for which such loan was required. The interest
chargeable was 34 per cent per annum, and the repayment was to be spread over any number of years not exceeding thirty, and
to be secured by mortgage of the local rates, the loans to be subject to the approval of the Poor-law Board, and the money to be in
such instalments as the Poor-law Board should direct. The cotton operatives worked most admirably at these public works, which
progressed satisfactorily. In the week ending December 31, 1864, the number of unskilled factory operatives employed was 3,978,
and of skilled labourers 2,741, many of the latter being originally factory operatives. The total number employed (6,719) was
exclusive of at least 2,000 men getting stone in the quarries, and on other works contingent upon the Public AVorks Act. Dr.
Watts not only pays a just tribute to the patient endurance with which the cotton operatives bore a long season of suffering and
privation, but shows that amongst the women there was no sensible moral deterioration, and that, notwithstanding the pressure of
distress, crime had actually decreased.
The consumption of cotton fell in 1861 to 1,007,400,000 pounds, or about 8 per cent, whilst prices rose about ISJ per cent on
the average of the whole year. In 1862 the consumption was 451,700,000 pounds, but it cost more by £12,989,000 than the same
quantity would have done at the average prices of 1861. Thus 44 per cent of the quantity required 86 per cent of the capital of
1861 to purchase it. Cloth was frequently sold on the same day at a less price per pound than raw cotton. The average condition
of the trade is shown at a glance : —
Yeah.
Middling Fair Orleans.
40's Mule Twist.
39in. Shirtings.
Margin between Cotton
and Cloth.
1860
Per lb.
7id.
9id.
184d.
Per lb,
mid.
12d.
l7Ud.
Per lb.
14d.
134d.
18id.
Per lb.
6Jd.
4d.
minus Jd.
1861
1862
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIHE— APPENDIX VI.
399
™».1,Y,?w I /*™!;'i"'l°^ ^\S^ P""^^' '•"•i°'"g tl^e blockade, and the Confederate cotton loan, 71,766 bales of American cotton
reached England m 1862, and 1 31,900 bales in 1863. The bulk of the cotton oonsamed, however^ was of course from India and for
tne amount ot labour employed upon it the production was more than 11 per cent less than it would have been on American cotton ■
i,-i^ if'' r-'™ S P^ ^'°"® ^^^ "^^'^' *'^® decreased production was fully 15 per cent as compared with American cotton
Whilst tne proportion of waste was very much greater. The consumption of cotton in 1863 was 508,400,000 pounds, being about 50
per cent of the quantity used in 1861, but at a cost of £44,485,000, or 141 per cent more than the cost of the s^me quantity at
that date The consumption of the year exceeded that of 1862 by about 33 per cent, showing that the tide was slowly turning.
^ J„t« % 1 ^T^^ r^^^f 'T °°"T ,?'?''-^l!-'^'^ '''^^ the varying fortunes of the war; falhng with peace rumours, till the
employers of almost 13,000 hands, with liabilities amounting to £1,500,000, were chronicled amongst the failures ; and large
holders of cotton were named whose stocks fell in a few weeks from £120,000 to £150,000 in value in each case. The bankruptcies
registered m the court of Manchester were: In 1861, 175; in 1862, 370; in 1863, 261 ; and in 1864, 387. On the year
employment was sotnewhat more plentiful, the exportation of cotton being 661,480,000 pounds, at a cost of £53,808,000, being 65
per cent of the quantity and 1/0 per cent more than the cost, of the same quantity in 1861. Employment during 1864 averaged
about 20 percent more than in 1863, the weekly exportation of cotton being 26,500 against 22,030 bales.
In theappendix to Dr. Watts's book, various tables show the expenditure for io-maintenance and outdoor relief by boards of
guardians, in the twenty-eight distressed unions of the cotton districts, for the years (ended Lady-day) 1861-2-3-4 and 5 We give
the totals only : — j ji &
In Maintenance.
Outdoor Relief.
Bate of Expendi-
ture in the £
on Assessment.
1861
1862
£64,382
76,024
87,136
82,693
83,839
£126,719
155,298
673,395
494,676
308,237
7id.
9Jd.
4s. lOfd.
3s. 9|d.
Is. lljd.
1863
1864
1865
Such are some of the chief tacts of the disastrous five years' cotton famine, as regards Lancashire. In 1866 the dearth of cotton
had ceased, the supply from all sources, under the pressure of extraordinary prices, being nearly equal to that of 1860, the most
prosperous year before the war.
The following statistics, which exhibit at a glance the varying fortunes of the cotton trade in the various branches of its raw
material, are compiled, by permission, from the valuable tables in the annual cotton circular of Messrs. George Holt and Co.,
Liverpool, and in that of their successors, Messrs. Ellison and Go.
RAW COTTON IMPORTED INTO GREAT BRITAIN.
Bales
Bales
Bales
Bales
Total Import
Total Estimated
Tear.
American.
Bales Brazil.
Egyptian.
East India.
' Bales China.
West India.
in Bales.
Import in lb.
1701-1706
Yeariy
average
on the five
years.
1,200,000
1716-1720
2,200,000
1771-1775
4,800,000
1776-1780
...
6,700,000
1781-1785
...
10,900,000
1786-1790
25,400,000
1791-1795
26,700,000
1796-1800
...
37,300,000
1801
66,000,000
1802
,.
60,300,000
1803
53,800,000
1804
61,900,000
1805
59,700,000
1806
124,939
51,034
7,787
77,978
261,738
58,200,000
1807
171,267
18,981
11,409
81,010
282,667
74,900,000
1808
37,672
50,442
12,512
67,612
168,138
43,600,000
1809
160,180
140,927
35,764
103,511
440,382
92,800,000
1810
246,769
128,192
95,331
37,720
48 853
142,846
79,382
92,186
661,173
136,500,000
1811
1812
1813
1814
118,514
98,704
137,168
150,930
14,646
2,607
1,429
13,048
64,879
64,663
73,219
74,800
326,231
261,205
249,536
257,631
91,600,000
63,000,000
61,000,000
60,100,000
1815
90.^ 051
91055
22,357
52,840
369,303
99,300,000
1816
1817
1818
1819
1820
1821
1822
1823
1824
166,077
199,669
207,680
206,161
302,395
300,070
329,906
462,538
282,371
123,460
114,518
162,499
125,415
180,086
121,085
143,505
144,611
143,310
5]623
38,022
30,670
120,202
247,659
184,259
57,923
30,095
19,263
38,393
50,862
49,235
44,872
50,991
31,300
31,247
40,428
40,770
27,632
25,537
369,432
479,261
668,729
546,135
671,651
491,678
633,444
668,797
640,092
93,900,000
124,900,000
177,300,000
149,700,000
143,900,000
129,000,000
142,200,000
188,100,000
143,700,000
400
..THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VI.
RAW COTTON IMPORTEB— Continued.
Bales
Bales
Bales
Bales
Total Import
Total Estimated
Tear.
Americau.
Bales Brazil.
Egyptian.
East India.
Bales China.
West India.
in Bales.
Import in lb.
1825
423,446
193,942
111,023
60,484
31,988
820,883
222,400,000
1826
395,852
55,590
47,621
64,699
18,188
581,950
171,500,000
1827
646,776
120,111
22,450
73,738
30,988
894,063
271,100,000
1828
444,390
167,362
32,889
84,855
20,066
749,552
219,800,000
1829
463,076
159,536
24,739
80,489
18,867
746,707
221,800,000
1830
618,527
191,468
14,752
35,019
11,721
871,487
261,200,000
1831
608,887
168,288
38,124
76,764
11,304
903,367
280,500,000
1832
628,766
114,585
41,183
109,298
8,490
902,322
287,800,000
1833
654,786
163,193
3,893
94,698
13,646
930,216
304,200,000
1834
733,528
103,646
7,277
89,098
17,485
951,034
320,600,000
1835
763,199
143,572
43,721
117,965
22,796
1,091,253
361,700,000
1836
764,707
148,715
34,953
219,493
33,506
1,201,374
410,800,000
1837
844,812
117,005
41,193
145,174
27,791
1,175,975
408,200,000
1838
1,124,800
137,500
29,700
107,200
29,400
1,428,600
501,000,000
1839
814,500
99,300
38,500
132,900
36,000
1,116,200
388,600,000
1840
1,237,500
85,300
38,000
216,400
22,300
1,599,500
583,400,000
1841
902,500
94,300
40,700
273,600
32,900
1,344,000
489,900,000
1842
1,013,400
87,100
19,600
25.5,500
17,300
1,392,900
528,500,000
1843
1,396,800
98,700
48,800
182,100
17,700
1,744,100
667,000,000
1844
1,246,900
112,900
66,700
237,600
17,500
1,681,600
644,400,000
1845
1,499,600
110,200
82,000
155,100
8,800
1,855,700
716,300,000
1846
932,000
84,000
59,600
49,500
9,000
1,134,100
480,500,000
1847
874,100
110,200
20,700
222,800
4,900
1,232,700
465,000,000
1848
1,375,400
100,200
29,000
227,500
7,900
1,740,000
686,500,000
1849
1,477,700
163,800
72,600
182,200
9,100
1,905,400
754,300,000
1850
1,184,200
171,800
79,700
307,900
5,700
1,749,300
685,600,000
1851
1,393,700
108,700
67,400
328,800
4,900
1,903,500
760,100,000
1862
1,789,100
144,200
189,900
221,500
12,600
2,357,300
925,200,000
1853
1,532,000
132,400
105,400
485,300
9,100
2,264,200
902,300,000
1854
1,665,800
106,900
81,100
308,300
10,400
2,172,500
886,600,000
1855
1,623,600
134,700
114,800
396,100
8,900
2,278,100
901,100,000
1856
1,758,300
121,600
113,900
463,000
11,400
2,468,200
1,021,000,000
1857
1,482,000
168,900
75,900
680,5110
11,300
2,418,600
976,100,000
1858
1,863,300
106,200
105,600
361,000
6,500
2,442,600
1,025,500,000
1869
2,086,300
124,900
101,400
510,700
6,800
2,830,100
1,190,800,000
1860
2,580,700
103,300
109,500
563,200
9,800
3,366,600
1,435,800,000
1861
1,841,600
100,000
97,800
986,600
9,700
3,035,700
1,261,400,000
1862
71,766
133,824
146,562
1,072,439
20,477
1,445,068
633,100,000
1863
131,900
137,900
248,700
1,223,700
167^000
23,000
1,932,200
691,800,000
1864
197,800
212,200
318,900
1,399,500
399,100
59,600
2,587,100
896,100,000
1865
461,910
340,280
413,890
1,266,520
141,610
331,100
2,755,310
966,400,000
1866
1,162,740
407,650
200,220
1,847,770
18,840
111,820
3,749,040
1,353,800,000
1867
1,225,690
437,210
198,170
1,508,750
1,940
129,02 J
3,500,780
1,273,800,000
1868
1,269,060
636,890
201,440
1,452,070
100,650
3,660,110
1,292,000,000
1869
1870
1871
1872
1,039,720
514,200
226,640
1,496,410
105,640
3,382,610
1,196,000,000
1,664,010
402,760
219,920
1,063,540
112,100
3,462,330
1,321,100,000
2,249,290
514,750
271,850
1,235,940
133,590
4,405,420
1,676,100,000
1,403,470
717,230
304,880
1,288,120
166,440
3,880,140
1,372,900,000
1873
1874
1875
1876
1877
1878
1879
1880
1881
1882
1883
1884
1885
1886
1,897,790
471,540
328,470
1,068,690
137,760
3,904,240
1,508,500,000
1,958,210
497,620
300,430
1,040,920
117,810
3,914,990
1,519,800,000
1,859,280
423,630
281,340
1,054,670
89,210
3,708,030
1,458,600,000
2,074,520
331,590
331,920
776,660
69,790
3,583,480
1,469,900,000
2,006,740
2,232,660
316,050
126,470
293,150
183,940
522,270
432,160
59,880
40,610
3,198,090
3,015,840
1,306,200,000
1,305,700,000
2,427,480
2,633,940
2,741,740
77,490
122,610
288,760
256,190
240,100
271,520
506,130
569,610
537,650
91,940
73,530
57,360
3,359,230
3,639,790
3,837,030
1,449,500,000
1,588,100,000
1,676,100,000
2,592,070
2,747,770
2,765,170
2,392,590
2,902,120
300,610
280,750
245,820
209,990
196,700
229,800
267,250
292,300
285,150
256,800
1,052,160
688,400
801,450
366,620
329,760
60,220
£0,520
49,960
50,710
66,390
4,234,860
4,034,690
4,154,700
3,305,060
3,941,770
1,769,200,000
1,742,100,000
1,791,600,000
1,465,289,950
1,744,833,830
*»* APPENDIX VII. to the original edition consisted of a catalogue of Roger Dodsworth's MS. Collections in the Bodleian
Library, so far as they relate to the county of Lancaster. Mr. Brook Herford collated this Appendix, with a full catalo-ue of
Dodsworth's MSS. in the Bodleian (162 vols.), printed by the Rev. Jos. Hunter, in a volume entitled " Three Catalogues," &c. (London,
1838), and found so many inaccuracies in that of Mr. Baines that it is Unnecessary, indeed useless, to reprint what could only
mislead. Students and antiquaries are therefore referred to Mr. Hunter's volume, as containing a far more full and accurate
catalogue as to Lancashire.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VII.
401
APPENDIX VII.
ELECTOEAL STATISTICS OF LANCASHIRE.
*»* These are based upon the census of 1881 (for population), and on the Parliamentary register for 1886 for the numbers
entitled to vote. In cases where by-elections have occurred since the general election in 1886 the statistics are given below.
COUNTY CONSTITUENCIES.
Constituency.
Lanoashiee, North.
North Lonsdale
Lancaster
Blackpool
Chorley
Lancashiee, Noeth-East.
Darwen
Clitheroe
Accrington
Eossendale
Lancashire, South-east.
Westhoughton
Heywood
Middleton
Radcliffe-cum-Famworth .
Ecclea
Stretford
Gorton
Prestwich
Lancashiee, South- West.
Southport
Onnskirk
Bootle
Widnea ..
Newton
Ince..
Leigh
Population.
50,338
53,970
56,055
59,38i
61,092
65,476
62,721
69,887
62,543
56,254
67,009
63,086
59,088
49,768
61,960
67,617
57,643
54,491
53,167
53,951
52,816
52,607
51,816
Number of
Electors on
Number
of Votes
Polled.
Candidates.
9,219
8,961
11,903
9,881
12,629
12,698
10,797
11,450
10,625
9,269
11,748
10,433
9,781
11,140
10,334
11,156
8,437
8,714
14,663
8,223
9,344
9^157
8,572
4,063
3,263
3,886
3,691
unopposed
6,085
5,350
unopposed
4,971
4,751
5,399
3,949
unopposed
4,206
3,962
5,126
4,808
4,695
4,559
4,277
3,985
4,750
4,011
4,592
4,135
4,843
4,704
3,723
3,262
unopposed
3,719
2,927
4,302
3,486
4,308
3,228
3,297
3,134
W. G. Ainslie
AV. M.Edmunds
J. AVilliamson
Col. G. B. H. Marton
Col. Rt. Hon. Sir F. I
Stanley
Lieut.-Gen. R. J. Feilden
Viscount Cranborne
John Slagg
Rt. Hon. Sir U. J. Kay-
Shu ttleworth
R. T. Hermon-Hodge ..
Joseph F. Leese
Marquis of Hartington
Thos. Newbigging
Frank Hardcastle
Isaac Hoyle
J. Grant-Lawson
T. Fielden
C. H. Hopwood, Q.G
Robert Leake
Sir Frederick Milner, Bart...
Hon. A. G. J. Egerton
Ellis D. Gosling
John William Maclure
William Agnew
Richard Peacock
Viscount Grey de Wilton .
R. G. C. Mowbray
Abel Buckley
Party.
Hon. G. N. Curzon
Dr. G. A. Pilkington
A. B. Forwood
Col. T. M. Sandys
T. C. Edwardes-Moss
A. Birrell
Rt. Hon. Sir R. A. Cross,
G.C.B
Sir Geo. Errington, Bart. ..
Colonel Blundell
G. P. Taylor
Caleb Wright
W. H. Myers
C.
G.L.
G.L.
C.
C.
C.
C.
G.L.
G.L.
C.
G.L.
L.U.
G.L,
C.
G.L.
C.
C.
G.L.
G.L.
C.
C.
G.L.
C.
G.L.
G.L.
C.
C.
G.L.
C.
G.L.
G.
C.
C.
G.L.
C.
G.L.
C.
G.L.
G.L.
C.
Members Returned.
W. G. Ainslie
J. Williamson
Col. Rt. Hon. Sir F. A.
Stanley ^
Lieut.-Gen. R. J. Feilden
Viscount Cranborne
Rt. Hon. Sir U. J. Kay-
Shuttleworth
R. T. Hermon-Hodge
Marquis of Hartington
Frank Hardcastle
Isaac Hoyle
Thomas Fielden
Robert Leake
Hon. A. G. J. Egerton
John William Maclure
Richard Peacock
R. G. C. Mowbray
Hon. G. N. Curzon
A. B. Forwood
Col. T. M. Sandys
T. C. Edwardes-Moss
Right Hon. Sir Richard
Assheton Cross, G.C.B. "
Colonel Blundell
Caleb Wright
1 Accepted the Chiltern Hundreds on being created a peer A new
election August, ISSiJ. Sir Matthew White Eidley, Bart. (G.) 6263, J. O.
Pilkington (G.L.) 2,.513.
52
2 Accented the Chilteru Hundreds on being created a peer. A new
election August, 1886. Thos. Wodehouse Legh (C.) 4,062, D. O'C. French
(G.L.) 3,355.
402
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VII.
BOROUGH CONSTITUENCIES.
Constituency.
Ashton-under-Lyne
Barrow-in-Furness
Blackburn (2)
Bolton (2)
Burnley
Bury
Liverpool, Kirkdale
Walton ,
Everton
"West Derby .
Scotland . . . .
Exchange ....
Abercromby .
„ East Toxteth ,
„ West Toxteth .
Manchester, North- West .
North
North-East
East
South
South-west
Oldham (2) .
Preston (2) .
Rochdale
Salford, North
West..,
South
St. Helena
Warrington
Wigan
Population
43,630
47,100
104,014
108,963
63,638
53,240
69,361
58,201
78,569
67,727
70,606
72,007
67,551
52,180
64,848
67,407
70,043
71,067
76,217
67,346
72,147
152,513
100,262
68,866
56,355
54,397
65,483
57,403
45,253
48,194
Number of
Electors on
Kegister.
6,553
6,063
16,329
16,063
9,638
8,214
8,346
7,683
9,439
8,873
7,076
8,171
9,137
8,003
7,684
12,685
8,703
8,579
9,779
8,534
8,890
25,600
14,876
10,808
7,728
8,197
8,717
8,291
7,730
Number
of Votes
Polled.
3,050
3,049
3,212
1,882
unopposed
7,779
7,669
6,460
6,230
4,209
4,166
unopposed
3,084
2,172
2,872
1,681
unopposed
3,604
2,244
2,911
1,431
2,920
2,750
3,583
2,804
unopposed
5,489
4,453
3,476
3,350
3,680
3,358
4,160
3,516
3,407
3,072
3,570
3,459
11,606
11,484
10,921
10,891
7,491
7,276
4,982
4,771
4,738
3,481
3,327
3,168
3,399
3,283
3,645
3,488
3,621
3,404
3,717
3,216
3,371
2,780
Candidates.
John Addison, Q.C
Alex. Butler Rowley
W. S. Caine
J. Ainsworth
Wm. Coddington
Wm. Henry Hornby
H. Shepherd Cross
Col. Hon. P. C. Bridgeman
J. C. Haslam
R. C. Richards
Peter Ry lands
Aid. J. Greenwood
Rt. Hon. Sir H. James, Q.C.
G.Baden-Powell
Ralph Neville
J. G. Gibson, Q.C
C. H. Bromley
Edward Whitley
Lord Claud J. Hamilton ...
Serjeant Hemphill, Q.C. ...
T. P. O'Connor
A. Earle
D. Duncan
L. R. Baily
W. F. Lawrence
Sir Thomas Brassey
Baron H. de Worms
T. B. Royden
W. H. Houldsworth
Henry Lee
C. E. Schwann
J. F. Hutton
Rt.Hon.Sir Jas. Ferguson, Bt.
C. P. Scott
Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour
J. H. Crosfield
Sir Henry Roscoe
Lieut.-Col. Thomas Sowler..
Jacob Bright
Lord Frederick Hamilton...
J. M. Maclean
Elliott Lees
Rt. Hon. J. T. Hibbert
J. M, Cheetham
W. E. M. Tomlinson
R. W. Hanbury
Capt. Pilkington
George Potter
Thomas Bayley Potter
J. A. R. Marriott
Edward Hardcastle
Arthur Arnold
Lees Knowles
Benj amin Armitage
(Henry Hoyle Howorth
jWilliam Mather
|h. Seton-Karr
A. Sinclair
Sir Gilbert Greenall, Bt. ...
tr. Crosfield
Francis Sharpe Powell
b, M. L. Percy
Party.
C.
G.L.
L.U.
G.L.
C.
C.
C.
C.
G.L.
G.L.
L.U.
G.L.
L.U.
C.
G.L.
C.
G.L.
C.
C.
GL.
P.
L.U.
G.L.
C.
C.
G.L.
C.
C.
C.
G.L.
G.L.
C.
C.
G.L.
C.
G.L.
G.L.
C.
G.L.
C.
C.
G.
G.L.
G.L.
C.
C.
G.L.
G.L.
G.L.
C.
0.
G.L.
C.
G.L.
C.
G.L.
C.
G.L.
0.
G.L.
C.
G.L.
Members Returned.
John Addison, Q.C.
W. S. Caine
Wm. Coddington
Wm. Henry Hornby
H. Shepherd Cross
Col. Hon. F. C. Bridgeman
Peter Rylands ^
Rt. Hon. Sir H. James, Q.C.
G. Baden-Powell
J. G. Gibson, Q.C.
Edward Wliitley
Lord Claud John Hamilton
T. P. O'Connor
D. Duncan
W. F. Lawrence
Baron H. de Worms
T. B. Royden
W. H. Houldsworth
C. E. Schwann
Rt. Hon. Sir. J. Ferguson, Bt.
Rt. Hon. A. J. Balfour
Sir Henry Roscoe
Jacob Bright
J, M. Maclean
Elliott Lees
W. E. M. Tomlinson
R. W. Hanbury
Thomas Bayley Potter
Edward Hardcastle
Lees Knowles
Henry Hoyle Howorth
H. Seton-Karr
Sir Gilbert Greenall, Bt.
Francis Sharpe Powell
' On the death of Peter Rylands t. new writ issued Peb. 14, i887. John Slagg (H.R ), 6,026 ; J. O. S. Thursby (C), 4,481.
THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VIII. 403
APPENDIX VITI.
THE CHETHAM SOCIETY.
This Society has added so largely to the available historical materials relating to the counties of Lancaster and Chester, that *
history of Lancashire would be incomplete without some reference to its labours and to those by whom they have been carried on.
It was commenced in the year 18i3 by a private proprietary of three hundred and fifty members, for the purpose of publishing in
a continuous yearly series the "Historical and Literary Remains connected with the Palatine Counties of Lancaster and Chester,"
of which rich MS. treasures were known to be in existence. Its first president was the late Dr. Edward Holme, M.D.; but for many
years the mainspring of its activity was the late James Grossley, Esq., of Manchester, who, on I)r. Holme's death, was chosen the
president, a position he continued to occupy until his decease, August 1st, 1883, when the Worshipful Richard Copley Christie, M.A.,
chancellor of the diocese of Manchester, was elected his successor. The members of the first council in 1843 were as follows :
Edward Holme, Esq., M.D.; Rev. Richard Parkinson, B.D., Canon of Manchester ; The Hon. and Very Rev. William Herbert, Dean
of Manchester ; George Ormerod, Esq., LL.D., F.R.S., F.S.A., F.G.S. ; Samuel Hibbert-Ware, Esq., M.D., F.R.S.E. ; Rev. Thomas
Corser, M.A.; Rev. George Dugard, M.A.; Rev. C. G. Hulton, M.A.; Rev. J. Piccope, M.A.; Rev. F. R. Raines, M.A.; James
Crossley, Esq.; James Heywood, Esq., F.R.S.; William Langton, Esq.; William Fleming, Esq., M.D. The following are the
members of the council for the year 1887-8 : The Worshipful Richard Copley Christie, M. A., chancellor of the diocese of Manchester
(president) ; The Right Rev. the Lord Bishop of Chester, D.D. (vice-president) ; James Croston, Esq., F.S.A.; J. P. Earwaker, Esq.,
M.A., F.S.A.; Lieut-Colonel Fishwick, F.S.A.; Henry H. Howorth, F.S.A., M.P.; Rev. John Howard Marsden, B.D., F.R.G.S., late
Disney Professor ; Rev. James Rajne, M.A., Canon of York ; Frank Renaud, Esq., M.D., F.S.A.; J. P. Rylands, Esq., F.S.A.; Rev.
Richard Tonge, M.A., hon. canon of Manchester ; A. W. Ward, Esq., Lit.D., M.A.; J. Joseph Jordan, Esq. (treasurer) ; John E.
Bailey, Esq., F.S.A. (hon. secretary). The best testimony to the value of their labours will be found in the following list of the
publications of the Society (comprised in one hundred and twenty-five volumes) which have already appeared : —
PUBLICATIONS.
Travels of Sir William Brereton, 1634-5. Edited by Edward Hawkins, F.R.S., &c. (1)
Civil War Tracis of Lancashire, 1641-51. Edited by George Ormerod, D.C.L., &c. (2)
Chester's Triumph, an old play performed- in 1610. Edited by Rev. Thomas Corser M.A. (3)
Life of Adam Martindale. Edited by Canon Parkinson (4)
Lancashire Memorials of the Rebellion in 1715. Edited by Samuel Hibbert-Ware, M.D., &c. (5)
Pott's Discovery of Witches (of 1613). Edited by James Crossley (6)
Iter Lancastrense, a poem of Rev. Richard James in 1636. Edited by Rev. Thomas Corser, M.A. (7)
Notitia Cestriensis : Bishop Gastrell's notes on the parishes in the diocese of Chester, 1720-23. Edited by Canon Raines. Vol. I.
(Cheshire) pp. L-xvi and 1-396 (8.) Vol. II. (Lancashire) Part I. 1-160 (19.) Part II. 161-351 (21.) Part III. (with Index)
353-621 (22.)
The Norris Papers. Edited by Thomas Heywood, F.S.A. (9)
Coucher Book (or Chartulary) of Whalley Abbey. Edited by W. A. Hulton. Vol. I. pp. i.-xl. and 1-338 (10.) Vol. II. p. 339-636
(11.) Vol. in. pp. 637-936 (16.) Vol. IV. pp. 937-1314 (20)
The Moore Rental [of estates in Liverpool in 1667]. Edited by Thomas Heywood, F.S.A. (12)
Dr. John Worthington's Diary, &c. Edited by James Crossley. Vol. I. pp. i.-viii. and 1-398 (13.) Vol. II., Part I., pp. 1-248 (36.)
Vol. II. Part II. Edited by Chancellor Christie, pp. xii. 249-384 ; Index 15 (114)
Nicholas Assheton's Journal Edited by Canon Raines (14)
The Holy Lyfe and History of Saynt Werburge. Edited by Edward Hawkins (15)
Warrington in 1465 [an old Rent-roll of the Legh family]. Edited by William Beamont (17)
Rev. Henry Newcome's Diary, 1661-1663. Edited by Thomas Heywood, F.S.A. (18)
A Golden Mirrour, from the original edition of 1589. Edited by Rev. Thomas Corser, M.A., &c. (23)
Chetham Miscellanies, Vol. I. (24.) [Other volumes are 37, 57, 83, 96, and 103.]
Papers connected with Milton and his family. Edited by J. F. Marsh. 46 pp.
Epistolary Rehques of Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquaries, 1633-73. Communicated by George Ormerod. 16 pp.
Calendars of the Heraldic Visitations in Lancashire. By George Ormerod. 26 pp.
A fragment illustrative of Sir William Dugdale's Visitation. From Canon Raines. 8 pp.
Card. Allen's Defence of Sir WilUam Stanley's Surrender of Deventer. Edited by Thomas Heywood, F.S.A. (25)
Newcome's Autobiography. Edited by Canon Parkinson. Vol. I pp. i.-xxv. and 1-184 (26.) Vol. II. pp. 185-390 (27)
The Jacobite Trials of 1694 in Manchester. Edited by William Beamont. (28.) [See also 61.]
The Stanley Papers Part L the Earls of Derby and the poets of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. By Thomas Heywood,
F.S.A. (29) , ^
Part II. The Derby Household Book, 1586-1590. Edited by Canon Rames (31)
Part III Vol. I. Papers, &c., of James, seventh Earl of Derby (66.) Part III., Vol. II. (67.) Part III.,
Vol. III. (70)
Penwortham Priory Documents. Edited by W. A. Hulton (30) r , t r. ^ tt
John Byrom's Journal and Literary Remains. Edited by Canon Parkinson. Vol I Part I. PP- 1-320 (32) \ol. I. Part II.
pp 321-639 (34.) Vol. IL Part I. pp. 1-326, and two Indexes (40.) Vol. II. Part II. pp. 327-654 (44)
Lancashire and Cheshire Wills and Inventories. Edited by Rev. G. J. Piccope, MA. Part I (33.) Part IL (51.) Part III (54)
•The Shuttleworths ; House and Farm Accounts of Gawthorpe Hall Edited by John Harland, F.S.A. Part I. pp. 1-232 (35.^
Part II. pp. 233-472 (41.) Part IlL pp. 473-776 (43.) Part IV. pp. 777-1171 (46)
Ckeiham Miscellanies, Vol. II. Editedhy William Langton (37) -
Rights and Jurisdiction of the County Palatme, &o. Edited by J. B. Yates, F.A.S., ic, 37 pp.
The Scottish Field, a poem of Flodden, 28 pp. Edited by John Robson. . , ^ , „ „ . .
Examynatyon towiheynge Cokeye More, fem^. Henry VIII 30 pp. Commumcated by Canon Rames.
A History of the Ancient Chapel of Denton. By the Rev. John Booker, M.A. 148 pp.
A Letter from John Bradshawe of Gray's Inn to Sir Peter Legh of Lyme. Edited by W. Langton.
404 THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VIII.
Turton and Gorton Church Libraries. Edited by Gilbert J. French (38)
The Farington Papers. Edited by Miss flfarington (39)
A History of the Ancient Chapels of Didsbury and Chorlton. By Rev. John Booker, M.A. (42)
Memoir and Selections from Poems, &o., of Rev. Thomas Wilson of Clitheroe. By Canon Raines (45)
A History of the Ancient Chapel of Birch. By Rev. John Booker, M.A. (47)
Catalogue of Popery Tracts, temp. CM'ca James II. Edited by Thomas Jones, B. A. Part I. (48.) Part II. (64.)
Lancashire Lieutenancy Papers, under the Tudors and Stuarts. By John Harland, F.S.A. Part I. pp. i.-cxx. and 1-96 (49.)
Part II. pp. 97-333 (50)
Collectanea Anglo-Poetica. By Rev. Thomas Corser, M.A., *o. Part I. pp. 1-208 (52.) Part II. pp. 209-456 (55.) Part III.
pp. i.-x,, 1-282 (71.) Part IV. pp. vi., 283-542 (77.) Part V. pp. xi., 250 (91.) Part VL pp. xi., 251-471 (100.) Part
VIL pp. viii., 208 (101.) Part VIII. pp. viii., 209-430 (102.) Part IX. pp. ix., 208 (106.) Part X. pp. 209-342 (108.)
Part XL pp. xii., 343-440 ; Contents 19 ; General Index 37 (111)
Mamecestre. Edited by John Harland, F.S.A. Vol. I pp. 1-207. (53.) Vol. IL pp. 209-431 (56.) Vol. III. p. 433-627 (58)
Cketham Miscellanies, Vol. III. Edited by William, Langton (57)
On the South Lancashire Dialect, with Biographical Notices of John Collier (Tim Bobbin.) By Thos. Heywood, F.S.A.,
84 pp.
Rentale de Cokersand for the year 1501. Edited by Canon Raines, xviii. 46 pp.
The Names of all the Gentlemen of the best Calliuge wtbin the County e of Lancastre, whereof choyse ys to be made of a
c'ten number to lend vnto her Matye moneye vpon privie seals in Janvarye 1588. From a MS. in the possession of
Canon Raines. 9 pp.
Some Instruction given by William Booth Esquire to his stewards John Carington and William Rowcrofte, upon the
purchase of Warrington by Sir George Booth Baronet and William Booth his Son, A D. mdcxvui. Communicated by
William Beamont. 8 pp.
Letter from Sir John Seton, Manchester ye 25 M'ch, 1643. Edited by Thomas Heywood, F.S.A. 15 pp.
The Names of eight hundred inhabitants of Manchester who took the oath of allegiance to Charles II. in April 1679.
Communicated by John Harland, F.S.A. 8 pp.
The Pole Booke of Manchester, May je 22<i 1690. Edited by William Langton. 43 pp.
History of Lancashire Chantries. Edited by Canon Raines. Vol. I. pp. i.-xxxix., and 1-168 (59.) Vol. II. (60)
Abbot's Journal ; also Account of the Tryalls in Manchester in 1694. Edited by Right Rev. Alexander Goss, D.D. (61)
Discourse of the Warr in Lancashire. Edited by Wm. Beamont (62)
Manchester Court Leet Records, Sixteenth Century. Edited by John Harland. (63.) Continuation of the same, 1586-1602 (65)
Manchester Collectanea. By John Harland. Vol. I. (68.) Vol. II. (72)
Manchester School : Admission Register. Edited by Rev. J. F. Smith, M.A. Vol. I. 1730-1755 (69.) Vol. II. 1776-1807 (73)
Vol. Ill, Part I. pp. vi., 176 (93.) Vol. IIL, Part IL pp. 177-348 ; Index 19 (94)
Three Lancashire Documents. Edited by John Harland, F.S.A. (74), viz. —
The Great De Lacy Inquisition, 1311.
Survey of 1320-46.
Custom Roll and Rental of the Manor of Ashton-under-Lyne, 1421.
Lancashire Funeral Certificates. Edited by Thomas William King, F.S.A., and Canon Raines (75)
Robert Heywood's Observations and Instructions, Divine and Morall, circa 1630. Edited by James Crossley (76)
Tracts written in the Controversy respecting the Legitimacy of Amicia, daughter of Hugh Cyveliok, Earl of Chester, a.d. 1673-1679.
Edited by William Beamont. Part I. pp. xcv., 94 (78.) Part II. pp. 95-322 (79.) Part III. pp. 323-550 (80)
The Visitation of the County Palatine of Lancaster, made in the year 1567, by William Flower, Norroy king of arms. Edited by
Canon Raines, xvi. 141 pp. (81)
The Visitation of the County Palatine of Lancaster, made in the year 1613, by Richard St. George, Norroy king of arms. Edited
by Canon Raines, xx. 142 pp. (82)
The Visitation of the County Palatine of Lancaster, made in the year 1664-5, by Sir William Dugdale, Knt,, Norroy king of arms.
Edited by Canon Rames. Part L pp. xiv., 104 (84.) Part IL pp. 105-224 (85.) Part IIL pp. 225-344 ; Index 17 (88)
Annals of the Lords of Warrington for the first five centuries after the Conquest. Edited by William Beamont. Part I. pp. xxvi,,
262(86.) PartlL pp. 263-523; Index 11 (87) -
The Dr. Farmer Chetham MS., temp. Elizabeth, James I. and Charles I. Edited by Rev. Alexander B. Grosart. Part I. pp. xvi.
120. (89.) Part IL pp. 121-225 (90)
The History of the Parish of Kirkham. By Henry Fishwick, F.R.H.S. vii. 208 pp. ; Appendix 3 ; Index 18 (92)
Abstracts of Inquisitions post mortem,, made by Christopher Townley and Roger Dodsworth. Edited by William Langtoii. vui,
160 pp. ; Index 16 (95.) Vol. IL pp. vii. 188 ; Index 17 (99)
Contributions towards a History of the Ancient Parish of Prestbury, in Cheshire. By Frank Renaud, M.D. viii. 238 pp. ; ludeX
6 (97)
The Visitation of Lancashire and a Part of Cheshire, made in 1533, by special commission of Thomas Benalt, Clarencieux. Edited
by WiUiam Langton. xviii. 104 pp. (98.) Part II. pp. a. 105-233 ; Index 27 (110)
The History of the Parish of Garstang. By Col. Henry Fishwick, F.S.A. Part I. pp. vii. 140 (104.) Part II. pp. 141-277 ;
Appendix 2 ; Index 20 (106) ./ > i-r i. / i'f i
Inventories of Goods in the Churches and Chapels of Lancashire, taken in the year 1552. Edited by John Eglington Bailey, F.S.A.
Part L, Salford Hundred, pp. ii. 64. (107.) Part II. [in the press.] (113;
Correspondence of Nathan Walworth and Peter Seddon, of Oatwood, and other Documents relating to the building of Ringley
Chapel. Ldited by John Samuel Fletcher, xxix. 89 pp. ; Appendix 15 ; Index 4 (109)
Two "Compoti" of the Lancashire and Cheshire Manors of Henry de ,Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, xxiv. and xxxiii. Edward I.
IrauBcribed and Translated by Rev. P. A. Lyons, B.A. xxviii. 192 pp. ; Index 8 (112)
Of the first tliirty volumes of this series a General Index was published (not numbered amongst the series) in 1863.
General Index to volumes 31 to 114 (excluding Coraer's Collectanea Anglo-Poetica). Edited by W. E. A. Axon. (In the press.)
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX VIII. 405
New Series.
The Vicars of Roehdale. By the late Rev. Canon Raines. Edited by Henry H. Howorth, F.S.A. pp. xiii. 200 (1). Part II
pp. /.yjL-6/i ; index 13 (2)
Lancashire and Cheshire Wills at Chester, with an appendix of Abstracts of Wills now lost or destroyed. Transcribed by the late
Rev. G. J. Piccope, M.A. Edited by J. P. Earvvaker, M.A., F.S.A. pp. x. 242 ; Index 20 (3)
A Catechisme,_ or Christian Doctrine. By Laurence Vaux, B.D. Reprinted from an edition of 1583. By Thomas Graves Law
pp. cvm. 1U5 ; Index 5 (ii
The Rectors of Manchester and the Wardens of the Collegiate Church of that Town. By the late Rev. F. R. Rnines, M.A. With an
Introduction by John E. Bailey, F.S.A. Part I. pp. xx. 100 (5). Part IL pp. 101-195 ; Index 12 (6)
The Old Church and School Libraries of Lancashire. By Eichard Copley Christie, pp. xiii. 195 ; Index 20 (7)
The History of the Parish of Poulton-le-Fylde. By Henry Fishwick, FS.A. pp. iv. 210 ; Index 22 (8)
The Coucher Book of Furness Abbey Printed from the original preserved in the Record Office, London. Edited by Rev. J. C.
Atkinson. Part L pp. vm. 260 (9). Part II. pp. 261-536 (11)
The History of the Parish of Bispham. By Henry Fishwick, F.S.A. pp. iv. 128 ; Index 15 (10)
The Crosby Records : A Chapter of Lancashire Recusancy (1560-1638). By the late Right Rev. Alexander Goss, D.D. Edited by
Rev. Thomas ELhson Gibson, pp. xxvi. 104 ; Index 4 (12)
THE EECORD SOCIETY.
This society was founded in 1878, and has for its object the transcribing and publishing of original documents relating to the
Counties of Lancaster and Chester. The members of the first Council were James Crossley, Esq., F.S.A. (President), WUliam
Beamont; Esq. (Vice-President), R. C. Christie, M.A. (Vice-President), James Croston, Esq., F.S.A. (Vice-President), Lieut.-Col.
Fishwick, F.S.A. (Vice-President), George Little, Q.O. (Vice-President), W. Alexander, Abram, Col. J. L. Chester, LL.D., G. E.
Cokayue, M.A., F.S.A., Henry H. Howorth, F.S.A., Thomas Hughes, F.S.A., J. Paul Rylands, F.S.A. (Hon. Treasurer), J. P.
Earwaker, M.A., F.S.A. (Hon. Sec). Of these gentlemen, those in italics have either died or retired from the Council, and on the
death of Mr. Crossley, in 1883, the Worshipful Chancellor Christie was chosen the President ; and on the list of the Council for
the year 1886-7 there are in addition to the nine original members remaining, the Hon. and Rev. G. T. 0. Bridgeman (Vice-
President), Sir H. Fox Bristowe, Q.C. (Vice-President), J. Eglington Bailey, F.S.A., and the Rev. J. H. Stanning, M.A. The following
are the publications of the society (comprised in thirteen volumes), which have already appeared : —
PUBLICATIONS.
Lancashu-e and Cheshire Church Surveys 1649-1655, from the original MSS. in the Record Office and in the Lambeth Palace Library.
Edited by Lieut.-Col. Henry Fishwick, F.S.A. pp. xxvi. 261 ; Index 20 (1)
An Index to the Wills and Inventories now preserved in the Court of Probate at Chester, from 1545 to 1 620, together with (1) a
List of the Transcripts of Early Wills, preserved in the Consistory Court, Chester ; (2) a List of the Wills printed by the
Chetham Society ; (3) a List of the Wills seen and noted. By the Revs. J. and G. J. Piccope, and not now to be found at
Chester ; and (4) a List of the Wills preserved in the Harl. MS., 1991, in the British Museum. Edited by J. P. Earwaker,
M.A., F.S.A. Pp. XXXV. 224 (2)
Lancashire Inquisitions Returned into the Chancery of the Duchy of Lancaster, and now existing in the Public Record Office,
London. Stuart Period. Part I., 1 to 11, James I. Edited by J. Paul Rylands, F.S.A. pp. xxviii. 286 ; Index 34 (3)
An Index to the Wills and Inventories now preserved in the Court of Probate at Chester, from 1621 to 1650, with (1) a List of the
Lancashire and Cheshire Wills proved in the Prerogative Court at Canterbury, 1650-1660 ; and (2) a List of the Lancashire
and Cheshire Administrations granted in the Prerogative Court of Canterbury, 1650-1660. Edited by J. P. Earwaker, M.A.
F.S.A. pp. xi. 303 (4)
The Register Book of Christenings, Weddings, and Burials within the parish of Prestbury in the County of Chester, 1560-1636.
Edited by James Croston, F.S.A. pp. xvi. 304 ; Index 42 (5)
Cheshire and Lancashire Funeral Certificates, a.d. 1600 to 1678 Edited by John Paul Rylands, F.S.A. pp. xxxviii. 208 ; Index
29 (6)
Lancashire and Cheshire Records preserved in the Record Office, London. Edited by Walford D. Selby. Part I. pp. xxxviii. 222
(7). Part IL pp. vi. 225-540 ; Index 86 (8)
The Rolls of the Burgesses and Guilds Merchant of the Borough of Preston, Co. Lancaster, 1397-1682. Edited by W. Alexander
Abram. pp. xlv. 202 ; Index 57 (9)
A List of the Lancashire Wills proved within the Archdeaconry of Richmond, and now preserved in Somerset House, London,
1457-1680 ; and of Abstracts of Lancashire Wills belonging to the same Archdeaconry, 1531-1652. Edited by Lieut.-Col.
Henry Fishwick, F.S.A. pp. xi. 1 to 324 (10)
A Calendar of the Lancashire and Cheshire Exchequer Depositions by Commission, 1558-1702. Edited by Caroline Fishwick. pp.
XXV. 171 ; Index 44 (11)
Homage Roll of the Manor of Warrington, Co. Lancaster, 1491-1517. Edited by William Beamont. pp. 251 ; Index 44 (12)
A List of the Lancashire WiUs proved within the Archdeaconry of Richmond, and now preserved in Somerset House, London,
1681-1748. Edited by Lieut.-Col. Henry Fishwick, F.S.A. pp. 291 (13)
* Among the APPENDICES to the original edition were two collections of imperfect abstracts of the Oliverian Survey of
* Church Lands in 1650, and of Dr. Ducarel's Repertory of the Endowment of Vicarages 1779, from the MSS. in the Lambeth
Library. The complete text of the Lancashire and Cheshire Church Surveys, 1649-1655, edited for the Record Society by
Colonel Fishwick, and the fuller extracts given by Canon Raines in his edition of the Notitia Cesiriensis, and now embodied,
for the most part', in the parish histories of the present work, do away with the special value of these, and they are not
reprinted.
406
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
APPENDIX IX.
POPULATION OF LANCASHIEE, ITS PARISHES, TOWNSHIPS, &o.,
In 1801, 1811, 1821, 1831, 1841, 1851, 1861, 1871, and 1881.
The nine official censuses of the populatiou of the United Kingdom in the above years furnish the data for ascertaining the increase
or otherwise in the numbers of the people in eight decennial periods, the first five of which compose the first half of the nineteenth
century. In this place our attention must chiefly be confined within the limits of the county palatine of Lancaster. Perhaps one
of the most remarkable features in the official returns for the half century is the great increase in the population of Lancashire, both
absolutely per se and comparatively as regards the other most populous counties of England. The population of the entire county
in 1801 was 67.'!,486 persons (322,722 males and 350,764 females). The population in 1881 had risen to 3,454,441 persons (1,669,864
males and 1,784,577 females), being an increase in the eighty years of 2,780,955 persons (1,347,142 males and 1,433,813 females).
In other words, the population of Lancashire increased in the first eighty years of the present century nearly four hundred and
thirteen per cent. In eighty years it had increased its numbers more than fivefold. Compare this vast increase with the two next
populous counties, Middlesex (small in area, but including so large a portion of the metropolis) and Yorkshire (the largest and one
of the most thickly-peopled counties), and what are the results? In 1801, Middlesex had a population of 818,129 ; Yorkshire of
859,133 ; Lancashire had then a smaller population than either by 150,000 to 180,000. In 1881 the population of Middlesex was
2,920,485, and that of Yorkshire 2,886,564 ; so that in actual numbers, within its borders, Lancashire exceeded Middlesex in 1881 by
533,956 persons, or contained a population more than 18 per cent, in excess of that of the metropolitan county. Lancashire had a
larger population than Yorkshire in 1881 by 567,877, though Yorkshire has more than thrice the area of Lancashire (Yorkshire,
3,829,286 ; Lancashire, 1,219,220 statute acres). In other words, while the population of Middlesex increased in the eighty years 256
per cent, and that of Yorkshire 235 per cent, that of Lancashire increased 413 per cent. The statistics of the cotton trade and
manufacture show that this vast increase is mainly if not wholly due to the rapid growth and progress of this great staple industry.
The population of the county of Lancaster in the seven periods named is returned as follows in the official censuses : —
1801.
1811.
1821.
1831.
1841.
1851.
186L
1871.
1881.
Persons
673.486
828,499
1,052,948
1,336,854
1,667,054
2,031,236
2,429,440
2,849,259
3,454,441
Males
322,722
350,764
394,194
434,305
512,524
540,424
650,389
686,465
814,847
852,207
991,090
1,040,146
1,173,424
1,256,016
1,372,664
1,476,595
1,669,864
1,784,577
INCREASE IN THE INTERVALS OF CENSUS.
1801 to
1811.
1811 to
1821.
1821 to
1831.
1831 to
1841.
1841 to
1851.
1851 to
1861.
1861 to
1871.
1871 to
1881.
Persons
155,013
224,449
283,906
330,200
364,182
398,204
419,819
605,182
Males . . .
71,472
83,541
118,330
106,119
137,865
146,041
164,458
165,742
176,243
187,939
182,334
215,870
199,240
220,579
297,200
307,982
RATES OF INCREASE (PER CENT) DECENNIAL PERIODS 1801-1881.
22
I
27
I
27
24
22
20
17
21
The following table exhibits the area, houses, and number of persons of each sex in the county in each of its six hundreds, and
in its ParUamentary and municipal boroughs, on the night of the 8th of April, 1881 : —
COUNTY OF LANCASTER, April 8, 1881.
Area.
Houses.
Population.
Statute Acres.
InliaWted.
Un-
inhabited. Building.
Persons.
Males.
Females. 1
1,219,220
655,307
68,929
5,697
3,454,441
1,669,864
1,784,577
PARLIAMENTARY DIVISIONS, EXCLUSIVE OF PARLIAMENTARY BOROUGHS.
Area in Acres.
536,209
159,571
187,929
250,263
Houses.
Population.
Inhabited.
Uninhabited.
BuUding.
Persons.
Males.
Females.
North Lancashire
49,657
48,553
105,688
86,785
3,776
4,173
13,769
9,762
418
637
396
1,326
273,389
238,355
534,435
482,436
137,365
114,550
254,483
235,592
136,024
123,805
279,952
246,844
North-East Lancashire
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
407
PARLIAMENTARY BOROUaHS.
Preston (Northern Division)
Blackburn (North-Eastern Division).
Burnley
Clithero e
' Ashton-under-Lyne, part of (South
Eastern Division)
Bolton (South-EasternDivision...
Bury
Manchester City „
Oldham
Rochdale „
Salford „
^ Staly bridge, part of „
^ Stockport, part of „
Liverpool City,South-Western Division
1 Warrington, part of (South- Western
Division)
Wigan
Total
Area in Acres.
2,820
4,065
3,981
16,032
2,145
2,362
3,652
6,359
12,310
4,172
5,170
349
480
5,210
2,887
2,188
1,208,154
Houses.
Inhabited.
18,905
19,412
12,530
2,955
8,943
21,060
10,107
77,520
31,019
15,016
34,206
1,343
3,158
92,307
7,376
8,767
655,307
Uninhabited
1,805
1,562
657
172
724
1,624
548
8,809
2,644
1,781
4,493
195
356
10,294
482
1,303
68,929
Building.
182
245
93
49
74
64
92
234
247
14
217
11
14
816
23
45
5,697
Persons.
93,720
100,620
63,638
14,472
43,424
105,965
50,178
393,585
152,513
68,866
176,235
6,401
14,550
552,508
40,957
48,194
Population.
3,454,441
Males.
42,986
47,483
30,837
20,399
50,336
23,799
189,005
73,292
31,985
84,610
3,089
6,699
271,996
20,883
23,508
1,669,864
Females.
50,734
53,137
32,801
7,505
23,025
55,629
26,379
204,580
79,221
36,881
91,625
3,312
7,851
280,512
20,074
24,686
1,784,577
Under the Poor-Law Registration Acts, the county has been formed into a number of clusters or groups of adjacent parishes
and townships, called Registration Districts, numbered consecutively 453 to 482. Of these districts the following table exhibits the
area in statute acres, and the population (males and females) in the years 1871 and 1881 : —
AREA AND POPULATION OF REGISTRATION DISTRICTS IN 1871 AND 1881. ^
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
Districts.
Liverpool
ToxtethPark
West Derby
Prescot
Ormskirk
Wigan
Warrington
Leigh
Bolton
Bury
Barton-upon-Irwell .
Chorlton
Salford
Manchester
Prestwich
Ashton-under-Lyne .
Oldham
Rochdale
Hashngden
Burnley
Chtheroe
Blackburn
Chorley
Preston
Fylde
Garstang
Lancaster
Lunesdale
Ulverston
Barrow-in-Furness .
Area in
Statute
Acres.
2,470
3,598
37,479
55,592
90,662
48,398
31,168
24,356
46,426
33,527
24,565
11,697
6,040
1,646
11,348
38,563
17,104
34,822
26,712
63,672
119,226
45,855
54,456
67,539
59,032
61,115
62,498
75,734
141,124
10,967
Population.
1871.
238,411
85,842
257,083
92,551
59,310
111,874
54,394
41,924
158,408
109,155
51,671
211,384
128,890
173,988
77,968
130,626
126,982
109,858
79,966
87,809
21,081
143,810
43,004
115,846
30,626
12,186
32,661
6,978
36,172
18,911
1881.
210,164
117,028
359,273
117,960
83,212
139,918
70,218
66,318
192,405
129,608
72,815
258,226
181,526
148,794
121.287
154,526
168,461
121,912
96,293
118,334
23,502
175,954
47,730
129,160
40,910
12,376
40,838
7,132
43,681
47,259
1871.
116,777
40,817
122,195
47,161
27,794
56,331
27,797
211,340
75,841
52,111
23,968
100,278
61,291
83,426
36,956
61,271
61,414
52,249
38,252
42,716
10,644
68,379
20,880
54,327
14,401
6,320
16,051
3,546
18,401
10,902
1881.
104,290
55,341
174,164
60,932
38,380
70,460
36,084
27,655
91,985
61,645
33,973
122,027
87,199
72,006
58,321
73,205
81,008
57,305
45,464
57,319
11,831
83,617
23,044
60,325
19,318
6,374
20,262
3,568
22,229
2.5,.675
Females.
1871.
121,634
46,025
134,888
45.390
31,616
65,643
26,597
21,584
82,567
57,044
27,603
111,106
67,671
90,562
41,012
69,355
65,568
57,609
41,704
45,093
10,537
75,431
22,124
61,519
16,225
6,866
16,610
3,432
17,771
8,n09
1881.
105,874
61,687
185,108
67,028
44,832
69,468
34,134
28,663
100.420
67,963
38,842
136,199
94,327
76,789
62,966
81,321
87,453
64,607
49,829
61,015
11,671
92,337
24,686
68,836
21,592
6,001
20,576
3,564
21,452
21,684
The whole of these areas either include water or relate to
rivers or creeka has been allotted, though not included withm
parishes to which a portion of the tidal water or foreshore of contiguous
the boundaries thereof by the Ordnance Survey Department.
1 These Parliamentary boroughs are situated partly in Cheshire.
2,149, population 43,480. Stalybrldge : area 2,214, population 89,671.
46,254.
Their entire areas and populations are as follows— Ashton-under-Lyne : area
Stockport : area 2,200, population 59,553. Warrington : area 3,7S3, population
408
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE -APPENDIX IX.
The a?2reffate rateable value on the 25th March, 1886, was, for county assessment, £18,623,910 ; for police assessnient,
783 444 Received for the year, by county rate (2J.d.), £167,980 ; by police rate (2-6471d.), £96,880. Total receipts, £439,/ 77 ;
j£8 78S ^ j.«^^i,^.... v^—
total expenditure,"'£434^2227 Amount of loans outstanding March 25th, 1886, £699,699.
of the
in the ten years 1871-80, the excess
censuses o£ 1871 and 1881 : —
No.
453
454
455
456
457
458
459
460
461
462
463
464
465
466
467
468
469
470
471
472
473
474
475
476
477
478
479
480
481
482
Parish or Union.
Liverpool
Toxteth Park
West Derby
Prescot
Ormskirk
Wigan
Warrington
Leigh
Bolton
Bury
Barton-upon-Irwell
Chorlton
Salford
Manchester
Prestwieh
Ashton-under-Lyne
Oldham
Rochdale
Haslingden
Burnley
Clitheroe
Blackburn
Chorlton
Preston
Fylde
Garstang
Lancaster
Lunesdale
Ulverston
Barrow-in-Furness. . ,
Population.
1871.
238,411
85,842
257,083
92,551
59,310
111,874
64,394
41,924
158,408
109,155
51,571
211,384
128,890
173,988
77,968
130,616
126,982
109,858
79,956
87,809
21,081
143,810
43,004
115,846
30,626
12,186
32,661
6,978
36,172
18,911
1881.
210,164
117,028
359,273
117,960
83,212
139,918
70,218
56,318
192,405
129,608
72,815
258,226
181,526
148,794
121,787
154,526
168,461
121,912
95,293
118,334
23,502
175,954
47,730
129,160
40,910
12,375
40,838
7,132
43,681
47,259
Registered in the Ten Years
1871-1880.
Marriages.
33,468
31,055
7,601
5,136
10,917
5,044
4,107
15,202
10,599
4,500
15,713
12,820
37,316
12,716
12,274
9,814
8,067
9,336
1,712
13,730
3,530
10,580
2,845
858
2,971
384
6,014
Births.
78,670
157,200
44,529
23,866
57,623
25,614
20,144
68,755
43,432
21,895
89,245
65,798
102,867
53,929
55,653
40,510
32,071
39,271
7,192
62,836
17,100
46,384
12,102
3,855
11,979
2,042
31,398
75,291
95,651
24,126
14,690
32,445
13,841
11,618
42,687
28,074
13,056
55,473
42,909
79,433
35,954
37,077
27,174
19,385
24,115
4,511
40,427
10,262
34,358
7,602
2,192
8,369
1,266
15,176
Excess of
Registered
Births over
Deaths,
1871-80.
3,379
61,549
20,403
9,176
25,178
11,773
8,526
26,068
15,358
8,839
33,772
22,889
23,434
17,975
18,576
13,336
12,686
15,156
2,681
22,409
6,838
12,026
4,500
1,663
3,610
776
16,222 «
Increase or Decrease of
Population bet%veeu the
Censuses of 1871 & 1881.
■ 31,186
102,190 =
25,409
23,902
28,044
15,824
14,394
33,997
20,453
21,244
46,842
52,636
43,319
43,900
41,479
12,054
15,337
30,525
2,421
32,144
4,726
13,314
10,284
189
8,177
154
7,509
28,348
Decrease.
28,247
25,194
The foregoing tables represent the aggregate population of certain populous areas and places. The following table exhibits the
number of inhabited hciuses, the families or separate occupiers, and the population of every civil parish or township in Lancashire,
enumerated in the official census in 1881, with the poor law unions in which they are respectively situated : —
INHABITED HOUSES, FAMILIES OR SEPARATE OCCUPIERS, AND POPULATION OF THE CIVIL
PARISHES OR TOWNSHIPS.
(By "civtlparisJi or township" is meant aplace in which a poor rate is separately levied. In cases where an ancient parish consists
of two or more civil parishes, they are indented under the name of the ancient parish. The figures in the last column are the refei'ence
numbers of the registration district. )
Ci^l Parish or Township.
Aldingham
Altcar
Angerton
Ashton-in-Makerfield ancient parish
Ashton-in-Makerfield
Haydock
Ashton-under-Lyne
Aughton
Inhabited
Houses.
210
87
4
1,730
1,002
15,418
628
Families or
Separ.lte
Occupiers.
212
96
4
2,128
1,058
16,108
657
Population.
1,152
550
32
9,824
5,863
75,310
3,145
Poor Law Union in which
situate.
Ulverston, 481.
Ormskirk, 457.
Ulverston, 481.
Wigan, 458.
Warrington, 459.
Ashton-under-Lyne, 468.
Ormskirk, 457.
» By a Parliamentary return issued in 1867, it appears that in Lanca-
shire the average annual rate of mortality per 1,000 living was, in
1841, 60-28 ; in 1851, 60-2(3 ; in 1855, 20'8 ; in 1865, 28-3. It further
appears that, in this county, the proportional numbers of men and
women to 100 marriages that signed the marriage register with marks
were as follow: In 1855— men 33-2, women 59 -Ll: in 1865— men 24-4,
women 46-1.
= The civil parish of Toxteth formed part of the West Derby District
until 1st January, 1881. The marriages, births, deaths, and excess of
births over deaths in the two districts of West Derby and Toxteth Park
are sho-wn together.
' The Union and Di.itrict of Prestwieh formed part of Manchester
District until 1st October, 1874. The marriages, births, deaths, and
excess of births over deaths registered in the two unions and districts of
Manchester and Prestwieh are here shown together.
' The District of Barrow-in-Furness (consisting of the civil parish of
Barrow-in-Furness, as extended by the Barrow-in-Furness Corporation
Act 1876) formed part of the district of Ulverston prior to July, 1876.
The marriages, births, deaths, and excess of births over deaths registered
in the two districts of Ulverston and Barrow-in-Furness are here shown
together.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
409
INHABITED HOUSES, &o.— continued.
Civil Parish or Township.
Inhabited
Houses.
Bispham ancient parish —
Bispham-with-Norbreck
Layton- with-Warbreck
Blackburn ancient parish —
Balderston
Billington
Blackburn
Clayton-in-le-Dale
Cuerdale
Darwen, Lower
Darwen, Over
Dinckley .'
Eccleshill
Harwood, Great
Harwood, Little
Livesey
Mellor
Osbaldeston
Pleasington
Ramsgreave
Rishton
Salesbury
Samlesbury
Tockholes
Walton-in-le-Dale
Wilpshire
Witton
Bolton-le-Moors ancient parish —
Anglezarke
Blackrod
Bolton, Great
Bolton, Little
Bradshaw
Breightmet
Edgeworth -
Entwisle
Harwood
Lever, Darcy
Lever, Little
Long worth
Lostock
Quarlton
Bivington
Sharpies
Tonge-with-Haulgh
Turton
Bolton-le-Sands ancient parish —
Bolton-le-Sands
Kellet, Nether
Kellet, Over
Llyne- with-Hest
Brindle
Burton-in-Kendal ancient parish, part op —
Dalton
Bury ancient parish —
Bury
Coupe-Lench, Newhallhey, and Hall Carr..
Elton
Heap
Musbury
Tottington Higher End
Tottington Lower End
Walmersley-cum-Shuttleworth
Cartmel ancient parish —
AUithwaite, Lower
Allithwaite, Upper
BroughtoD, East
Cartmel Fell
Holker, Lower
Holker, Upper
Staveley
133
2,645
107
285
17,673
62
9
920
5,557
22
146
1,237
137
1,176
243
40
89
54
720
50
158
107
1,840
53
901
21
766
8,919
9,007
136
316
341
68
397
430
857
22
149
51
69
769
1,306
1,153
176
57
94
66
237
19
8,071
775
2,262
3,837
221
790
3,336
1,140
204
162
208
59
233
169
79
Families or
Separate
Occupiers.
134
2,714
107
294
18,449
928
6,847
25
155
1,383
139
1,301
243
46
99
54
752
67
166
108
1,992
58
979
21
774
10,113
9,361
155
316
358
69
408
441
900
23
166
51
70
784
1,496
1,228
182
59
100
66
256
19
8,613
808
2,513
3,972
236
825
3,421
1,150
219
165
254
59
233
178
79
Population.
714
12,711
487
1,410
91,958
295
58
4,531
27,626
123
716
6,287
715
6,065
1,096
154
459
240
4,055
184
752
484
9,286
280
4,356
99
4,234
45,694
44,452
755
1,525
1,862
341
1,811
1,994
4,413
106
782
271
330
3,710
6,731
5,653
785
279
494
301
1,173
123
39,283
3,695
11,947
17,686
1,010
3,926
16,428
5,519
975
713
1,251
293
1,093
849
426
Poor Law Union in which
situate.
}Fylde,
477.
• Blackburn, 474.
Preston, 476.
- Blackburn, 474.
Preston, 476.
Blackburn, 474.
Preston, 476.
I Blackburn, 474.
Chorley, 475.
Wigan, 458.
Bolton, 461.
Chorley, 475.
VBoIton, 461.
Lancaster, 479.
V Lunesdale, 480.
Lancaster, 479.
Chorley, 475.
Kendal, 579.
Bury, 462.
Haslingden, 471.
I Bury, 462.
>• Haslingden, 471.
I Bury, 462.
Ulverston, 481.
53
I Burton-in-Kendal ancient parish is mostly in Westmorland.
The entire parish contains 2,158 persons.
410
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
INHABITED HOUSES, kc.—continued.
Civil Parish or Township.
Child\Tall ancient parish —
AUerton
Childwall
Garston
Hale
Halewood
Speke
Wavertree
Woolton, Little
Woolton, Much
Chipping ancient parish —
Chipping
Thomley-with-Wheatley
Chorley
Claughton
Clitlieroe Castle
Cockerham ancient parish —
Cockerham
EUel
Forton
Thurnham, part o/'
Cockeraand Abbey
Colton
Croft, with Southworth
Croston ancient parish —
Bispham
Bretherton
Croston
Mawdesley
Ulnes-Walton
Croxteth Park
Dalton-in-Furness ancient parish-
Barrow-in-Fumes3
Dalton-in-FurnesB
Deane ancient parish —
Farnworth
Halliwell
Heaton
Horwich
Hulton, Little
Hulton Middle
Hulton, Over
Kearsley
Rumworth
"West Houghton
Derby, West
Eccles ancient parish —
Barton-upon-Irwell
Clifton
Pendlebury
Pendleton
Worsley
Eccleston ancient parish —
Eccleston
Heakin
Parbold '^.',,
"VVrightington
Flixton ancient parish —
Flixton
XJrmston
Garstang ancient parish —
Barnaore, with Bonds
Bilsborrow
Cabus
Catterall
Claughton
Cleveley
Holleth
Kirkland
Nateby
Pilling
Winmarleigh ..,..^. .
Wyersdale, Nether
Inliabited
Houses.
145
27
1,750
120
335
96
2,050
197
907
200
74
3,812
17
1
123
353
131
29
4
341
214
50
147
372
179
78
7
6,789
2,383
3,943
2,528
268
828
1,131
411
183
1,431
939
1,828
18,869
5,292
492
1,525
7,991
4,029
179
76
97
310
377
436
176
38
31
127
112
8
175
7
66
64
272
61
113
Families or
Separate
Occupiers.
145
31
1,898
120
372
96
2,225
225
1,020
220
79
3,963
19
1
127
360
131
29
4
358
216
54
154
372
186
83
7
8,580
2,535
4,209
2,652
276
862
1,230
429
186
1,500
963
2,014
21,696
5,628
506
1,689
8,486
4,151
185
76
98
333
385
481
178
38
33
131
114
8
182
8
67
64
274
62
117
Population.
830
187
10,271
571
1,857
513
11,097
1,159
4,541
987
349
19,478
100
16
761
1,787
595
124
36
1,783
1,032
280
707
1,791
928
386
39
47,259
13,339
20,708
12,551
1,461
3,761
5,714
2,051
984
7,253
4,952
9,197
101,162
25,994
2,578
8,162
40,246
21,207
900
382
529
1,520
1,776
2,242
912
197
178
612
548
51
783
50
314
393
1,620
381
606
Poor Law Union in which
situate.
West Derby, 455.
Prescot, 456.
West Derby, 455.
Prescot, 456.
I Clitheroe, 473.
Chorley, 475.
Lunesdale, 480.
Clitheroe, 473.
[■Lancaster, 479.
Garstang, 478.
Lancaster, 479.
Lancaster, 479.
Ulverston, 481.
Warrington, 459.
Ormskirk, 457.
[ Chorley, 475.
West Derby, 455.
Barrow-in-Furness, 482.
Ulverston, 481.
-Bolton, 461.
West Derby, 455.
Barton-upon-Irwell, 463.
I Salford, 465.
Barton-upon-Irwell, 463.
I Chorley, 475.
jwigan, 458.
h Barton-upon-Irwell, 463.
■Garstang, 478.
Thurnham is partly in the ancient parish of Lancaster. The entire township contains 721 persons.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
411
INHABITED HOUSES, &o.~contimied.
Civil Parish or Township.
Golborne
Halsall ancient parish —
Downholland
Halsall
Lydiate
MaghuU
MeUing
Halton
Hawkshead ancient parish —
Claife
Hawkshead, with Monk Coniston & Skelwith
Satterthwaite
Hesketh-with-Becconsall
Hey sham
Hoole ancient parish —
Hoole, Little
Hoole, Much
Huyton ancient parish —
Huyton-with-Eoby
Knowsley
Tarbock
Kirkby Ireleth ancient parish —
Brough ton, "West
Dunnerdale and Seathwaite
Kirkby Ireleth
Kirkham ancient parish —
Bryniug- with-Kellamergh
Clif ton-with-Salwick
Eccleston, Little with Larbreck
Freckleton
Goosnargh-with-Newsham
Greenalgh-with-Thistleton
Hambleton
Kirkham
Medlar- with- Wesham
Newton- with- Scales
Ribby-with-Wrea
Singleton, Great and Little
Treales, Roaeacre, and Wharles
Warton
Weeton-with-Preese
Westby- with-Plumpton
Whittingham
Lancaster ancient parish —
Aldcliffe
Ashton-with-Stodday
Bleasdale
Bulk
Caton-with-Littledale
Fulwood
Gressingham
Heaton-with-OxcIiffe
Lancaster
Middleton
Myerscough
Overton
Poulton
Preesall-with-Hackinsall
Quernmore
Scotforth
Skerton
Stalmine-with-Stainall
Thurnham, ^art 0/ '
Wyersdale, Over
Leigh ancient parish —
Aetley
Atherton
Bedford
Pennington
Tyldesley-with-Shackerley
West Leigh
Inhabited
Houses.
891
136
22i
200
267
153
134
110
242
75
176
134
82
119
693
259
no
231
55
343
19
72
39
260
239
77
83
730
188
55
78
66
105
90
81
100
123
14
40
47
18
233
330
32
18
3621
27
74
62
861
174
102
347
523
96
101
85
510
2,377
1,551
1,324
1,934
1,468
Families or
Separate
Occupiers.
954
136
227
209
270
163
140
110
260
83
178
135
83
122
830
260
119
235
55
349
19
84
40
262
248
78
88
777
202
56
78
66
105
90
82
100
151
14
41
47
18
234
370
36
18
3896
27
75
73
886
176
104
359
545
99
114
87
561
2.453
1,677
1,453
2,077
1,707
Population.
4,502
748
1,368
1,071
1,429
802
731
547
1,205
452
863
632
440
581
4,060
1,248
629
1171
299
1722
114
418
197
1134
1197
380
389
3840
1035
267
392
357
560
408
425
634
2158
94
207
410
117
1085
3725
152
136
20,663
157
384
325
3931
848
586
2,263
2,838
501
597
513
2,669
12,602
7,246
6,640
9,954
7,848
Poor Law Union in which
situate.
Leigh, 460.
(-Ormskirk, 457.
J
Lunesdale, 480.
i-Ulverston, 481.
Ormskirk, 457.
Lancaster, 479.
I Preston, 476.
j-Prescot, 456.
Ulverston, 481.
[-Fylde, 477.
Preston, 476.
Fylde, 477.
Garstaug, 478.
> Fylde, 477.
' Preston, 476.
\ Lancaster, 479,
Garstang, 478.
Lancaster, 479.
Lunesdale, 480.
Preston, 476.
Lunesdale, 480.
V- Lancaster, 479.
Garstang, 478.
j- Lancaster, 479.
Garstang, 478.
Lunesdale, 480:
[-Lancaster, 479.
Garstang, 478.
}- Lancaster, 479.
Leigh, 460,
I
I
1 Thurnham is partly in the ancient parish of Cookerham. The entire township coutains 721 persons.
412
THE HISTOKY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
INHABITED HOUSES, Sic— continued.
Civil Parisli or Township,
Inhabited
Houses.
Families or
Separate
Occupiers.
Population.
Poor Law Union in which
situate.
Ley land ancient parisli —
Clayton-le-Wood
Ciierden
Euston
Heapey
Hoghton
Leyland
Wheelton
Whittle-le-Woods
Withnell
Liverpool
Lowton
Lytham
Manchester ancient parish —
Ardwick
Beswick
Blaokley
Bradford
Eroughton
Burnage
Cheetham
Chorlton-upon-Medlock
Chorlton-with-Hardy
Crumpsall
Denton
Didsbury
Droylsden
Failsworth
Gorton
Harpurhey
Haughton
Heaton Norris
Hulme
Levenshulme
Manchester
Moss Side
Moston
Newton
Openshaw
Reddish
Eusholme
Salford
Strettord
Withington
Melling ancient parish —
Arkholme-with- Cawood
Farleton
Hornby
Melling- with-Dray ton
Eoeburndale
Wennington
Wray- with-Boltou
Middleton ancient parish —
Ainaworth
Ashworth
Birtle-cum-Bamford
Hopwood
Lever, Great
Middleton
Pilsworth
Thornham
Mitton ancient paish, part of^ —
Aighton, Bailey, and Ghaigley
Newchurch Kenyon ancient parish —
Culcheth
Kenyon
Newton-in-Makerfield
North Meols ancient parish —
Birkdale
North Meols
124
108
242
81
194
1,047
30,5
435
398
31,634
496
971
6,334
1,603
1,281
3,205
6,156
163
4,511
10,935
454
974
1,534
931
2,348
1,625
6,635
990
1,029
4,165
14,235
712
29,446
3,407
685
6,261
3,349
1,109
1,709
19,476
3,697
1,663
56
14
74
36
21
29
136
359
33
347
923
679
2,253
146
385
237
445
46
1,926
1,557
6,171
141
122
251
91
210
1,087
319
449
416
44,718
551
1,014
6,920
1,621
1,347
3,383
6,654
166
4,894
12,546
467
1,008
1,562
983
2,459
1,777
7,149
1,057
1,061
4,574
15,813
741
32,095
3,773
776
6,758
3,552
1,181
1,875
22,212
4,013
1,736
14
75
38
22
29
157
375
33
369
976
684
2,342
158
397
352
480
54
2,027
1,745
7,299
582
573
1,147
369
871
4,961
1,570
1,937
2,106
210,164
2,357
5,268
31,197
7,957
6,075
16,121
31,534
848
25,721
55,598
2,332
8,154
7,660
4,601
11,254
7,912
33,096
4,810
5,051
20,347
72,147
3,557
148,794
18,184
3,466
31,240
16,153
5,557
9,227
101,584
19,018
11,286
297
122
358
167
112
127
626
1,729
142
2,265
4,440
3,673
10,346
758
1,860
1,663
2,267
233
10,580
8,705
33,763
■ Chorley, 475.
Liverpool, 453.
Leigh, 460.
Fylde, 477.
Chorlton, 464.
j-Prestwich, 467.
Salford, 465.
Chorlton, 464.
Prestwich, 467.
j- Chorlton, 464.
Prestwich, 467.
Ashton-under-Lyne, 468.
Chorlton, 464.
Ashton-under-Lyne, 468.
Prestwich, 467.
Chorlton, 464.
Prestwich, 467.
Ashton-uuder-Lyne, 468.
Stockport, 443.
Chorlton, 464.
Manchester, 466.
Chorlton, 464.
l- Prestwich, 467.
Chorlton, 464.
Stockport, 443.
Chorlton, 464.
Salford, 465.
Bartou-upou-Irwell, 463.
Chorlton, 464.
}
]>- Lunesdale, 480.
• Bury, 462,
Bolton, 461.
Oldham, 469.
Bury, 462.
Oldham, 469.
Clitheroe, 473.
^ Leigh, 460.
Warrington, 459.
-Ormskirk, 457.
' The ancient parish of Mitton ia mostly in the West Riding of Yorkshire. The entii-e parish contains 3,656 persona.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
INHABITED HOUSES, &a.— continued.
Civil Parish or Township.
Inhabited
Houses.
Families or
Separate
Occupiers.
Population.
Poor Law Union in which
situate.
Ormskirk ancient parish —
Bickerstaffe
Burscough
Lathom
Ormskirk
Seariabrick
Skelsmersdale
Pennington
Penwortham ancient parish —
Farington
Ho wick
Hutton
Longton
Penwortham
Poulton-le-I'ylde ancient parish —
Carleton
Hardhom-with-Newton
Marton
Poulton-le-Fylde
Thornton
Prescot ancient parish —
Bold
Cronton
Cuerdley
Ditton
Eccleston
Parr
Penketh
Prescot
Eainford
Rainhill
Sankey, Great
Sutton
Whiston
Widnes
Windle
Preston ancient parish —
Barton
Broughton
Eleston
Fishwick
Grimsargh-with-Brockholes
Haightou
Lea, Ashton, Ingol, and Cottam .
Preston
Eibbleton
Prestwich ancient parish —
Alkrington
Ohadderton
Crompton
Heaton, Great
Heaton, Little .•
Oldham
Pilkington
Prestwich
Royton
Tonge
Radcliffe
Eibchester ancient parish —
Alston
Dilworth
Button
Hothersall
Ribchester -y
Rochdale ancient parish, part of —
Blatohinworth-with-Calderbrook
Butterworth
Castleton
Spotland
Todmorden and Walsden
Wardleworth
Wuerdle and Wardle
389
458
806
1,255
414
1,012
307
376
16
79
284
315
77
77
471
285
1,351
159
85
32
252
3,247
1,934
224
1,069
671
436
110
2,108
416
4,362
3,500
64
120
8
416
56
42
571
18,489
117
78
3,402
1,992
78
175
22,555
2,641
1,458
2,255
1,519
3,295
326
428
52
27
259
1,636
1,869
7,681
8,456
2,026
4,303
2,147
414
484
852
1,380
429
1,290
311
413
16
79
289
322
79
79
473
286
1,427
161
95
37
252
3,532
2,166
253
1,147
784
461
123
2,259
464
4,639
3,784
64
121
9
434
58
42
582
20,896
118
83
3,701
2,038
78
175
23,889
2,693
1,606
2,519
1,630
3,582
337
453
52
27
265
1,650
2,000
7,860
8,608
2,070
4,425
2,212
2,269
2,290
4,161
6,651
2,232
5,707
1,698
2,017
62
389
1,443
1,642
377
420
2,303
1,225
7,589
880
468
227
1,412
18,026
11,278
1,239
5,546
3,745
2,219
630
12,695
2,705
24,935
19,473
368
690
43
2,142
369
215
2,913
91,578
575
380
16,899
8,797
376
828
111,343
13,144
8,627
10,582
7,254
16,267
1,589
2,116
259
132
1,282
7,891
8,411
35,272
40,140
9,237
19,711
10,487
Ormskirk, 457.
Ulverston, 481.
^Preston, 476.
VFylde, 477.
I Prescot, 456.
Warrington, 459.
j- Prescot, 456.
Warrington, 459.
> Prescot, 456.
Warrington, 459.
vPrescot, 456.
Preston, 476.
I Oldham, 469.
]- Prestwich, 467.
Oldham, 469.
Bury, 462.
Prestwich, 467.
- Oldham, 469.
Bury, 462.
VPreston, 476.
Todmoiden, 493.
I Rochdale, 470.
Rochdale, 470.
^^;^— ^^';— ^^T^^^^^^J^artly in the West Biding of Yorkshire. The entire parish contains 153,448 persons.
414
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
INHABITED HOUSES, &o.— continued.
Civil Parish or Township.
Inhabited
Houses.
Familiea or
Separate
Occupiers.
Population.
Poor Law Union in which
situate
Rufford
St. Michael-on-Wyre ancient parish —
Ecoleston, Great
Elswick
Inskip with Sowerby
Rawclifife, Out
Eawcliffe, Upper, with Tarnacre
Woodplumpton
Sefton ancient parish —
Aintree
Crosby, Great
Crosby, Little
Ince-Blundell
Litherland
Lunt
Nethertou
Orrell and Ford
Sefton
Thornton -.
Southworth with Croft {see Croft with South-
worth).
Standish ancient parish —
Adiington
Anderton ,
Charnock Heath
Charnoek Richard
CoppuU
Duxbury
Shevington
Standish- with-Langtree
Welsh Whittle
Worthington
Tarleton
Tatham
Thornton-in-Lonsdale ancient parish, pai't of^
Ireby
Toxteth Park '.'.'.,',',
Tunstal ancient parish —
Burrow-with-Burrow
Cantsfield
Leek
Tunstal ',',,]]
Ulverston ancient parish —
Blawith
Church Uoniston
Egton-with-Newland
Lowick
Mansriggs
Osmotherley
Subberthwaite
Torver
Ulverston
Urswick
Walton-on-the-HiU ancient parish —
Bnotle-cum-Linaore
Everton
Fazakerley
Formby
Kirkby ',[[
Kirkdale
Simonswood
Walton-on-the-HUl '.',',',[
Warrington ancient parish —
Burtonwood
Poulton-with-Fernhead
Rixton-with-Glazebrook
Warrington
Woolston- with-Martinscrof t
149
139
55
105
141
116
272
51
1,595
73
90
1,226
19
66
81
66
54
643
59
168
127
324
58
305
765
19
47
381
109
15
20,677
43
18
54
20
32
193
216
73
10
84
28
42
1,957
251
4,309
19,133
95
756
264
9,793
73
3,061
224
148
173
7,376
103
175
144
55
105
141
117
284
51
1,792
85
94
1,318
20
70
81
70
63
652
59
175
132
357
61
347
861
19
54
388
109
15
24,624
43
18
55
21
32
210
216
73
10
85
28
43
2,036
258
5,286
23,278
95
816
265
11,405
81
3,231
231
149
173
7,802
105
905
628
242
542
815
618
1,239
277
9,373
553
516
7,204
104
386
637
382
275
3.258
317
916
685
1,826
323
1,570
4,261
115
255
1,900
534
78
117,028
214
104
271
104
158
965
998
376
64
474
149
202
10,008
1,287
27,374
109,812
533
3,908
1,401
68,145
465
18,715
1268
742
881
40,957
504
Ormskirk, 457.
Garstang, 478.
Fylde, 477.
^-Garstang, 478.
Preston, 476.
■ West Derby, 455.
- Chorley, 475.
}-Wigan,458.
Chorley, 475.
Wigan, 458.
Ormskirk, 457.
pLunesdale, 480.
Toxteth Park, 454.
■ Lunesdale, 480.
-Ulverston, 481.
-West Derby, 455.
Ormskirk, 457.
West Derby, 455.
Ormskirk, 457.
West Derby, 455.
Warrington, 459.
1 The ancient parish of Thornton-in-Lonsdale is mostly in the West Biding of Yorkshire. The entire parish contains 1,024 persons.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
415
INHABITED HOUSES, &c.— continued.
Civil Parish or Township.
Inhabited
Houses.
Families or
Separate
Occupiers.
Population.
Poor Law Union in which
situate.
Warton ancient parish —
Berwick
Carnf orth
Priest-Hutton
Silverdale
Warton -with-Lindeth
Yealand-Conyers
Yealand-Redmayne
Whalley ancient parish, pa^t of — ^
Accrington
Altham
Barley -with-Wheatley-Booth
Barro wford
Booths, Higher
Booths, Lower
Bowland, Little
Briercliffe-with-Extwisle
Burnley
Chatbum
Church
Clay ton-le-Moors
Clitheroe
Cliviger
Colne
Downham
Dunnockshaw
Foulridge
Goldshaw Booth
Habergham Eaves
Hapten
Haslingden
Henheads
Heyhouses
Higham-with-West Close Booth
Huncoat
IghtenhiU Park
Leagram
Marsden, Great and Little
Mearley
Mitton, Henthorn, and Colcoats
Newchurch- with-Bacup
Old Laund Booth
Oswaldtwiatle
Padiham
Pendleton
Reed
Eeedley Hallows, FeUey Close, and New
Laund Booth
Boughlee Booth
Simonstone
Trawden
Twiston
Whalley
Wheatley Carr Booth
Wiswall
Worsthome- with- H urstwood
Worston
Yate and Pickup Bank
Whittington
Wigan ancient parish —
Abram
AspuU
BUlinge Chapel End
Billinge Higher End
Dalton
Haigh
Hindley
Inoe-in-Makerfield
Orrell
Pemberton
Upholland
Wigan
Winstanley
42
367
44
102
284
58
40
6,397
75
89
836
1,280
1,209
18
252
5,572
155
991
1,313
2,034
421
2,207
64
44
193
77
6,985
398
2,892
45
22
167
184
41
18
3,351
6
13
5,896
83
2,470
1,784
301
194
122
96
89
476
30
194
9
138
224
19
143
76
438
1,481
388
284
90
218
2,687
2,926
843
2,518
861
8,767
107
46
369
46
109
304
59
42
6,730
76
91
842
1,317
1,275
19
254
6,123
158
1,038
1,405
2,158
424
2,234
64
45
197
80
7,608
471
3,048
45
23
172
188
45
18
3,503
6
16
6,385
83
2,540
1,969
317
206
123
96
90
515
36
202
9
168
226
19
147
76
591
1,589
402
288
94
224
3,062
3,327
920
2,801
934
10,142
115
246
1,879
213
489
1,471
309
210
31,435
395
314
3,842
6,239
6,196
106
1,147
28,744
771
4,850
6,695
10,176
1,952
10,313
272
212
890
355
35,033
2,155
14,298
233
77
751
930
205
100
16,725
30
73
28,261
332
12,206
8,346
1,312
909
667
323
421
2,164
128
895
39
737
1,093
62
682
346
2,638
8,113
1,935
1,402
494
1,186
14,715
16,007
4,299
13,762
4,435
48,194
545
Lunesdale, 480.
-Lancaster, 479.
Haslingden, 471.
, Burnley, 472.
1- Haslingden, 471.
CUtheroe, 473.
j- Burnley, 472.
CHtheroe, 473.
j- Blackburn, 474.
Clitheroe, 473.
I Burnley, 472.
Clitheroe, 473.
1
Burnley, 472.
I- Haslingden, 471.
LBurnley, 472.
Clitheroe, 473.
Burnley, 472.
I Clitheroe, 473.
Haslingden, 471.
Burnley, 472.
Blackburn, 474.
Burnley, 472.
Clitheroe, 473.
■Burnley, 472.
^Clitheroe, 473.
Burnley, 472.
Clitheroe, 473.
Burnley, 472.
Clitheroe, 473.
Blackburn, 474.
Lunesdale, 480.
Wigan, 458.
1 The ancient parish of Whalley extends
into the West Riding of Yorkshire. The entire parish contains 244,395 persons.
416
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
INHABITED HOUSES, &c.— continued.
CSvil Parish or Township.
Wiuwick ancient parish —
Houghton, Middleton and Arbury
Winwick-with-Hulme
Total
Inhabited
Houses.
41
655,307
Families or
Separate
Occupiers.
48
94
725,246
Population
242
487
3,454,441
Poor Law Union in which
situate.
1- Warrington, 459.
VALUATION OF PKOPERTY FOR ASSESSING THE COUNTY RATE.^
In order to form a basis or standard on which to assess the county rate it has been the practice to make a valuation of the
yearly value of the property in every parish, township, and place, throughout the county, at irregular periods. One such valuation
was made in the year 1829, and its results are given in the first edition of this work (1836), in tables preceding the history of each
of the six hundreds. Of course that valuation is now useless, both because of the great increase in the extent and the value of
property and because also of the different principle now applied to obtain the basis or standard required. Another valuation was
made in 1864, and still more recent ones in 1866, 1872, 1877, and 1884, and we propose to place these later valuations in juxta-
position, for convenience of comparison, and also to annex to these the population according to the censuses of 1851, 1861, 1871,
and 1881, and the area of acreage of each township or place, according to the Ordnance Survey, in statute acres. Before giving the
tables, however, for the several hundreds, it is necessary briefly to explain the principle on which the valuation in each case has
been arrived at.
An Act, entituled "An Act to consolidate and amend the Statutes relating to the Assessment and Collection of County Rates in
England and Wales," was passed in 15 and 16 Vict. (1852), under the powers and authority of which the justices of the county of
Lancaster, at their annual General Session of the Peace at Preston, on the 28th December, 1882, appointed a committee of twenty-
two magistrates, to be —
" A Committee for the purpose of preparing a Basis or Standard for fair and equal County Rates, such Basis or Standard to be
founded and prepared rateably and equally, according to the full and fair Annual Value of the Property, Messuages, Lands,
Tenements, and Hereditaments, rateable to the relief of the Poor in every Parish, Township, Borough, or Place, "whether Parochial
or Extra-Parochial — that is to say, according to the net Annual Value of any Property, as the same is or may be required by Law
to be estimated for the purpose of assessing the Rates for the relief of the Poor."
The committee accordingly prepared a basis or standard, which was laid before the Court of Annual General Session of the
Peace at Preston on the 27th December 1883 ; and the usual notices being given in the newspapers that such basis or standard
would be taken into consideration at the following Court of Annual Session, it was then (April 3rd, 1884) considered, aUowed, and
confirmed.
The pi;inciple of rating adopted by the committee was the following : —
" For the purpose of estimating the net annual value of the property in each parish, township, or place, the committee first
ascertained the gross estimated value thereof, and from such gross value made the following deductions : —
" 1. From the value of all lands, tithes, canals, navigations, docks, watercourses, reservoirs, quarries, delphs, and brickyards,
one-twelfth part. And
" 2. From the value of all buildings (except farm buildings), mines, railways, and gasworks, one-sixth part.
In the following tables, the full heading of column 2 is, "Basis or Standard for County Rates, being the Value as allowed in
the year 1854, after making Deductions ;" and the full heading of columns 3 to 6 inclusive "Basis or Standard for County Rates,
bemg the Value as allowed after making Deductions " in the several years named. It wiU be seen that we have abbreviated these
LONSDALE HUNDRED.
NOETH OF THE SANDS.
Township.
Aldingham
AUithwaite, Lower
Allithwaite, Upper
Angerton
Barrow-in-Furness
Blawith
Broughton East
Broughtou West
CartmelFell
Claife
Church Coniston
Colton
Dalton-in-Fumess
Dunnerdale and Seath-
waite
Egton with Newland...
Hawkshead, Monk Co-
niston, and Skelwith.
Holker, Lower
Holker, Upper
Kirkby Ireleth
Lowick
etc.
1854.
£
7,695
4,641
2,640
455
1,011
3,572
5,389
2,734
3,021
1,938
8,471
19,447
1,804
4,681
5,686
4,096
5,360
8,287
1,934
Basis,
etc.
1866.
6,366
2,829
551
1,069
6,408
7,098
3,072
3,859
3,427
10,560
68,128
2,158
5,696
7,063
5,444
6,816
9,058
2,261
Basis,
etc.
1872.
£
8,914
7,850
3,826
722
75,652
1,116
7,980
7,736
3,150
4,184
6,086
11,810
32,246
2,158
6,500
7,986
5,900
7,558
9,982
2,276
etc.
1877.
£
10,066
8,350
4,340
686
168,714
1,454
10,082
8,906
3,498
5,004
3,546
12,818
107,964
2,364
7,306
9,282
7,146
8,432
10,762
2,428
etc.
1S84.
£
10,126
10,600
6,018
1,014
241,046
1,464
12,802
10,064
3,638
5,322
3,622
13,470
160,470
2,496
8,692
9,924
9,012
9,294
11,524
2,588
Population in
1851.
Persons.
968
888
746
32
229
470
1,297
351
540
1,287
2,008
4,683
321
1,222
1,271
1,225
1,134
1,728
411
1861.
Persons.
1,011
933
729
31
193
534
1,183
308
540
1,324
1,794
9,152
289
1,231
1,144
1,160
1,035
1,666
468
1871.
Persona.
1,061
1,009
776
36
18,584
146
1,007
1,085
297
563
1,106
1,860
9,310
291
1,148
1,085
1,115
850
1,763
463
ISSl.
Persons.
1,152
975
713
32
47,259
158
1,251
1,171
293
517
965
1,783
13,339
299
1,205
1,093
849
1,722
376
Area in
Statute
Acres.
Acres.
4,812
3,211
2,682
2,195
10,967
2,995
3,425
7,298
4,958
4,579
7,424
14,322
7,223
10,258
3,661
10,429
2,387
7,140
9,702
2,261
' From information obligingly furnished by Henry Alison, Esq., County Treasurer, Preston.— C.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
417
LONSDALE HUNDRED— North
5F THE Sands — continued.
Township.
Basis,
etc.
1864.
Basis,
etc.
1866.
Basis,
etc.
1872.
Basis,
etc.
1877.
Basis,
etc.
1884,
Population in
Area in
Statute
1851.
1861.
1871.
1881.
Acres.
£
646
1,867
2,739
2,497
2,919
682
998
16,845
5,486
£
764
2,806
6,188
2,785
3,365
856
1,384
23,770
6,797
£
784
2,854
7,022
2,848
3,712
996
1,562
26,874
7,550
£
832
3,752
18,292
3,318
4,132
988
1,450
38,124
11,800
£
876
4,11S
41,218
3,406
4,130
1,032
1,500
47,124
10,900
Persons.
64
325
489
472
399
150
193
6,742
891
Persons.
69
419
879
397
409
152
194
7,414
1,080
Persons.
73
405
1,112
394
438
14tf
209
7,607
1,144
Persons.
64
474
1,698
452
426
149
202
10,008
1,287
Acres.
569
Osmotherley
1 929
2,845
7,322
4,199
l,i!37
3,816
3,120
Staveley
Subberthwaite
Torver
Ulverston
Urswick
4,043
Total North of Sands..
127,996
209,218
264,834
475,836
646,490
80,557
35,738
65,083
90,940
151,009
SOUTH OP THE SANDS.
Township,
Aldclifie
Arkholme with Cawood
Ashton with Stodday
Bolton-le-Sands
Berwick
Bulk
Burrow with Burrow.
Cantsfield
Camforth
Caton
Claughton
Cockerham
Cookersand Abbey .
Dalton....-
EUel
Farleton
Gressingham
Halton
Heatou with Oxcliife.
Heysham
Hornby
Ireby
Nether Kellet
OverKellet
Lancaster
Leek
Melling with "Wreatoii..
Middle ton
Overton
Poulton, Bare, and
Torrisholme
Priest Hutton
Quemmore
Hoebiimdale
Scotf orth
Silverdale
Skerton
Slyne with Hest
Tatham
Thumham
Tunstall
Warton with Lindeth. .
Wennington
Whittington
Wray with Botton ...
Wyresdale, Over
Yealaud Conyers
Yealand Redmayne
Basis,
etc.
1854.
Total of South Sands...
Total of North Sands...
Total of Lonsdale
Hundred
£
1,141
2,997
2,120
4,543
1,487
2,423
2,578
1,626
2,484
5,735
1,339
6,348
400
1,664
8,327
1,223
2,026
4,831
2,328
3,112
2,331
923
2,493
3,410
35,988
2,203
1,358
1,501
1,784
5,422
1,432
4,862
1948
5,860
1,076
5,393
2,937
5,074
2,197
1,419
3,583
1,183
4,784
3,557
4,094
2,478
2,258
Basis,
etc.
170,280
127,996
2P8,276
£
1,325
3,643
2,519
6,471
1,638
2,661
2,882
1,763
4,824
7,036
1,851
7,264
482
1,981
12,620
1,359
2,182
5,287
2,668
3 862
3,229
1,070
2,621
4,047
40,698
2,550
1,809
1,799
2,081
10,370
1,780
6,226
2,483
8,106
1,657
7,199
4,218
5,978
2,944
1,714
5,732
1,263
5,341
4,491
4,822
2,917
2,984
214,447
209,218
Basis,
etc.
1872.
423,665
£
1,460
4,250
2,742
6,756
2,078
3,370
3,570
2,150
7,746
7,638
2,114
8,740
524
2,116
13,608
1,418
2,280
6,060
2,768
4,466
3,378
1,226
2,718
4,276
47,430
2,724
2,142
1,880
2,348
14,558
2,134
6,862
2,524
9,404
2,266
8,178
4,678
6,418
3,884
2,012
8,706
1,554
5,948
4,674
5,274
3,396
3,242
Basis,
etc.
1877.
£
1,718
4,670
3,182
7,296
2,194
3,492
3,974
2,144
10,760
8,810
2,392
9,634
524
2,466
15,722
1,522
2,676
6,680
3,526
4,954
3,518
1,228
2,952
4,852
69,880
3,300
2,326
2,150
2,460
19,652
2,288
7,606
2,906
11,366
2,852
8,456
6,140
6,938
4,066
2,226
9,902
1,696
6,796
5,032
6,482
3,818
3,670
249,568
264,834
514,402
291,794
475,836
767,630
Basis,
etc.
1884.
£
1,732
5,266
3,264
8,762
2,542
4,524
4,152
2,380
18,542
9,592
2,730
9,878
522
2,430
18,578
2,220
3,034
7,338
3,376
6,742
3,954
1,370
3,268
5,306
85,126
3,620
2,716
2,050
2,470
29,134
2,514
8,668
2,924
14,392
6,400
13,064
6,090
9,082
4,126
2,252
14,100
1,844
6,632
5,546
6,894
4,418
4,108
367,572
646,490
1,014,062
Population in
1851.
1861.
1871.
1881.
Persons.
Persons.
Persons.
Persons.
85
74
68
94
330
331
360
297
173
184
191
207
686
692
753
785
199
194
209
246
124
109
116
117
228
225
236
214
156
116
108
104
294
393
1,091
1,879
1,434
1,160
1,059
1,086
106
94
86
100
774
778
803
761
42
33
26
36
100
129
120
123
1,484
1,968
1,615
1,787
75
75
49
122
187
158
134-
152
718
670
616
731
174
165
169
136
593
567
628
632
374
317
323
358
111
113
103
78
319
284
276
279
488
425
423
494
14,604
14,487
17,245
20,663
285
324
229
271
197
169
182
167
185
182
184
167
334
305
296
325
1,301
2,236
3.005
3,931
234
218
185
213
579
563
655
585
206
144
130
112
693-
955
1,139
2,263
240
294
343
489
1,586
1,556
1,817
2,838
309
312
307
301
654
688
586
634
706
717
618
721
146
138
105
104
600
581
1,035
1,471
189
180
168
127
414
421
460
346
833
797
684
626
680
524
500
513
306
272
300
309
226
209
227
210
34,760
35,426
39,759
48,093
30,557
35,738
55,083
90,940
65,317
71,164
94,842
139,033
Area in
Statute
Acres.
Acres.
1,016
3,016
1,949
1,580
846
1,158
2,426
1,222
1,459
8,396
1,581
6,662
346
2,167
5,814
1,051
2,015
3,914
,2,036
1,774
1,961
1,141
2,082
3,210
1,494
4,636
1,062
1,200
1,837
1,725
1,085
6,789
8,841
2,880
1,168
1,316
1,143
8,647
2,095
1,076
2,824
980
4,416
6,526
17,319
1,582
2,136
140,399
151,009
291,4081
' This total is less than the return for the census by 1,082 acres,
54
the extent
township.
of reclaimed land in Lonsdale North not yet apportioned to any
418
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
AMOUNDERNESS HUNDRED.
Township.
Alston
Barnaore with Bonds..
Barton
Bilsborrow
Bispham with Norbreck
Bleasdale
Broughton
Bryning with Kella-
mergh
Cabus
Carleton
Catterall
Claughton
Cleveley
Clifton with Salwick
Ecoleston, Great ...
Eccleston, Little, with
Larbreck
Elston
Elswick
Eishwick
Forton
Freckleton
Fulwood
Garstang
Gooanargh with News
ham
Greenhalgh with
Thistleton
Grimsargh with Brock-
holes
Municipal
Rural
etc.
1854.
Haighton
Hambleton
Hardhorn with Newton
HoUeth
Hothersall
Inskip with Sowerby
Kirkham
Kirkland
Layton with Warbreck
Lea, Ashton, Ingol, and
Cottam
Municipal . .
Rural
Lytham
Marten
Municipal
Rural
Medlar with Wesham...
Myeracough
Nateby
Newton with Scales . . .
Pilling
Poulton in le Fylde . . ,
Preesall with Hackin-
sall
Preston
EawclifFe, Out
Ra\vchffe, Upper, with
Tarnacre
Ribbleton
Municipal . . .
Rural
£
3,351
5,692
3,336
1,770
2,665
1,905
6,196
1,617
1,863
3,789
3,065
4,576
1,286
5,487
2,589
1,625
1,005
1,555
5,028
2,271
3,792
5,971
2,439
8,865
2,880
3,108
8,361
13,359
6,339
3,245
4,181
2,327
2,332
6,033
4,011
4,510
68,770
4,605
4,128
1,675
etc.
1860.
£
4,746
8,120
5,191
2,031
3,840
2,744
7,407
1,665
2,493
4,022
3,718
6,077
2,170
5,914
3,220
1,862
941
1,841
7,103
2,541
4,294
7,970
2,450
10,535
3,279
3,638
1,388
1,600
1,982
2,590
4,385
5,197
362
454
886
1,383
3,422
3,888
5,737
6,879
1,905
1996
13,095
31,776
10,240
18,504
8,626
5,230
5,322
2,742
2,794
7,441
4,221
5,335
201,637
5,789
4,873
2,105
Basis,
etc.
1872.
£
5,382
9,160
5,570
2,262
4,376
2,954
7,980
1,742
2,690
4,362
4,110
6,542
2,506
5,880
3,280
2,044
932
1,758
7,424
3,044
5,306
10.512
2,744
11,084
3,352
3,892
1,650
2,984
5,442
502
1,602
4,182
7,688
1,998
53,750
12,672
21,490
9,712
5,378
5,866
2,870
3,344
8,462
4,902
6,070
216,360
6,706
5,502
2,360
Basis,
etc.
1877.
£
6,946
11,090
6,554
2,794
4,914
3,312
9,412
1,920
2,864
5,078
4,814
8,072
2,914
7,424
3,548
2,084
1,148
2,018
8,448
3,094
5,642
14,840
2,858
12,264
3,736
4,150
1,884
3,114
7,312
540
1,822
4,610
8,684
2,236
72,420
15,820
25,660
10,694
7,542
6,560
3,190
3,678
9,318
6,060
6,218
268,556
7,356
5,948
2,770
Basis,
etc.
1884.
Population in
1851.
£
7,784
14,738
6,736
3,194
4,570
3,608
9,414
1,894
3,172
5,820
4,722
8,800
3,694
8,656
4,002
2,220
1,242
2,374
9,422
3,376
6,506
18,894
3,154
13,450
4,482
410
4,346
4,756
2,162
3,534
8,496
576
1,922
5,012
11,076
2,514
122,352
9,676
12,018
21,694
36,404
14,376
9,002
7,248
3,936
3,594
10,514
7,670
6,992
318,844
7,930
2,708
1,100
3,808
Persons.
807
876
370
152
293
295
685
126
238
400
1,036
641
73
471
631
215
54
307
1,005
582
968
1,748
839
1,453
362
360
193
222
346
366
386
386
28
30
162
159
680
663
2,799
3,380
429
388
2,564
3,907
743
2,698
1,650
170
459
325
299
1,281
1,120
823
i8,537
791
697
189
1861.
Persons.
1,098
907
343
176
4.37
372
709
116
209
363
867
608
62
447
641
209
63
290
1,884
574
879
2,313
714
1,307
383
301
911
3,194
1,691
563
426
385
286
1,388
1,141
812
81,101
771
682
175
1871.
Persons.
1,337
922
338
185
547
376
601
115
171
433
672
526
66
447
565
192
63
254
1,912
549
930
3,079
687
1,258
365
367
219
351
436
35
120
593
3,593
336
7,092
2,081
3,904
1,982
860
418
435
292
1,572
1,161
837
83,516
832
700
247
1881.
Area in
Statute
A cres.
Persons,
1,589
912
368
197
714
410
690
114
178
377
612
548
51
418
197
43
242
2,142
696
1,134
3,725
783
1,197
380
369
215
389
420
50
132
542
3,840
314
12,711
2,913
5,268
2,303
1,035
384
393
267
1,620
1,225
848
91,578
816
618
575
Acres.
2,040
4,496
2,707
852
1,644
7,298
2,367
1,061
1,383
2,012
1,742
3,786
620
3,489
1,469
1,280
962
1,037
693
1,279
2,417
2,117
503
8,673
1,897
1,950
1,078
1,553
2,651
358
1,039
2,979
857
974
2,369
5,310
4,707
1,966
2,707
2,087
1,523
6,060
914
3,393
2,127
4,693
3,839
744
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
41.9
AMOUNDERNESS HUNDRED— conrirwcd.
Township.
Basis,
etc.
1854.
Basis,
etc.
1S68.
Basis,
etc.
1S72.
Basis,
etc.
1S77.
Basis,
etc.
1884.
Population in
Area in
Statute
18,'il.
1861.
1871.
1881.
Acres.
Ribby with Wrea
Singleton, Great and
Little
£
2,549
3,302
2,884
13,762
5,285
2,638
3,803
5,866
4,028
2,216
8,905
4,271
£
2,878
4,402
3,548
21,144
6,076
2,897
4,598
6,604
4,722
2,541
10,266
5,229
£
2,930
4,500
4,062
22,122
6,110
3,160
4,982
6,844
5,204
2,626
11,726
5,908
£
3,058
5,136
4,496
27,570
7,870
3,280
6,650
8,520
5,618
3,014
12,462
6,414
£
3,374
5,494
5,218
46,484
8,668
3,526
7,072
9,754
6,286
3,406
13,366
7,014
Persons.
406
293
508
4,134
696
473
465
707
677
262
1,574
704
Persons.
444
338
471
5,084
632
446
465
601
583
246
1,462
667
Persona.
466
317
521
5,203
625
444
433
535
664
289
1,290
549
Persons.
392
357
501
7,589
560
408
425
534
2,158
381
1,239
606
Acres.
1,387
2,923
2,583
6,887
4,100
2 540
Stalmine with Stainall.
Treales, Roseaore, and
Wharles
Warton
Weeton with Preese ...
Westby with Plumpton
Whittingham
2,973
3,598
3 192
2 342
4 971
Wyresdale, Nether ...
4,215
Hundred
414,272
525,239
592,544
718,318
896,956
113,243
130,728
139,883
162,118
158,295
BLACKBURN HUNDRED.
Township.
Acerington
Aighton, Bailey, and
Chaigley
Altham
Balderston
Barley with Wheatley
Booth .".
Barrowf ord Booth
Billington
Blackburn
Bowland with Iieagrim
Briercliffe with Ext-
wistle
Burnley
Municipal
Rural
Chatbum
Chipping
Church
Clayton-in-le-Dale
Clayton- in-Ie-Moora ...
Clitheroe
Clitheroe Castle
Cliviger
Colne
Coupe Lench, Newhall-
hey, and Hall Carr. .
Cuerdale
Darwen, Lower
Blackburn
Over Darwen . . .
Darwen, Over
Dilworth
Dinckley
Downham
Dunnockshaw
Dutton
EccleBhill
Municipal
Rural
Foulridge
Goldshaw Booth
Basis,
etc.
1854.
£
28,895
5,978
2,123
2,301
1,816
5,556
4,047
101,470
2,912
3,856
40,621
1,812
4,907
7,165
1,797
8,485
17,107
46
7,752
17,156
5,083
985
8,203
20,143
2,664
606
2,079
361
1,597
1,634
4,172
1,720
Basis,
etc.
1866.
£
61,773
6,590
2,785
2,582
2,316
8.673
5,225
180,641
3,213
5,240
57,841
2,340
5,377
15,350
1,928
14,568
21,326
71
12,780
19,814
10,867
1,077
11,126
44,215
4,325
605
2,066
680
1,760
2,463
5,438
2,606
etc,
1872.
£
68,890
6,960
3,410
2,800
2,236
11,030
6,102
244,932
3,408
7,822
66,334
2,554
5,668
15,818
1,942
17,316
23,948
72
14,888
27,518
11,026
1,100
17,232
62,916
5,532
742
2,226
798
2,058
2,840
2,682
Basis,
etc.
1877.
£
96,656
8,110
4,304
3,128
2,216
11,282
7,830
290,600
5,418
7,440
82,480
3,230
7,596
16,464
3,080
18,414
29,722
100
17,766
30,602
13,504
1,158
21,580
82,714
6,774
898
2,426
870
2,296
3,926
6,314
2,914
Basis,
etc.
1884.
£
115,178
9,460
4,504
3,562
2,462
14,200
8,680
361,374
5,324
9,160
103,738
6,486
110,224
3,958
7,978
21,790
3,546
20,974
36,548 \
114/
17,848
38,614
13,984
1,208
17,768
8,518
26,286
109,978
7,880
1,268
2,492
910
2,500
"630
3,186
3,816
7,020
2,824
Population in
Persons.
10,374
1,613
426
642
2,875
882
46,536
240
1,612
14,706
503
1,134
2,035
471
3,392
7,244 .
1,441
8,987
2,154
80
3,521
11,702
833
151
362
86
446
598
1,233
620
1861.
Persons.
17,688
1,500
410
632
485
2,880
1,038
63,126
234
1,332
19,971
521
1,074
4,753
375
4,682
6,990
10
1,770
7,906
2,851
56
3,301
16,492
959
120
292
167
312
543
406
1871.
Persons.
21,788
1,524
401
475
354
3,110
1,204
76,339
236
1,263
21,501
584
1,113
4,450
275
5,390
8.208
9
1,674
8,633
60
3,876
21,278
1,730
119
282
186
257
633
827
358
1881.
Persons.
31,435
487
314
3,842
1,410
91,958
206
1,147
28,744
771
987
4,850
295
6,695
10,176
16
1,952
10,313
3,695
58
4,531
27,626
2,116
123
272
212
259
716
890
355
Area in
Statute
Acres.
Acres.
3,425
6,300
1,440
1,808
2,625
2,385
3,139
3,681
4,664
4,227
894
5,634
528
1,715
1,059
2,375
6
6,819
4,635
1,499
684
2,667
5,134
1,248
608
2,800
797
2,455
2 334
420
THE HISTOEY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
BLACKBURN HUNDRED— conMnMec?.
Township.
Habergham Eaves .
Municipal .
Rural
Hapten
Harwood, Great
Harwood, Little
Haslingden
Henheads
Heyhouses
Higham with West
Close-Booth
Higher Booths
Huncoat
Ightenhill Park
Livesey
Muncipal
Rural
Lower Booths
Marsden
Mearley
Mellor
Mitton, Henthorn, and
Colooatea
Musbury
Newehurch, Deadwen
Clough, Bacup, and
Wolfenden
Muncipal
Rural
Old Laund Booth . .
Osbaldeston
Oswaldtwistle
Padiham
Pendleton
Pleasington
Ramsgreave
Read
Reedley Hallows,
Filley Close, and
New Laund Booth.
Ribchester
Rishton
Roughlee Booth
Salesbury
Samlesbury
Simonstone
Thornley with
Wheatley
Tockholes
Trawden
Twiston
Walton-in-le-Dale ....
Whalley
Wheatley Carr Booth,
Wilpshire
Wiswall
Witton
Muncipal
Rural
Worsthorne withHurst-
wood
Worston
Yate and Pickup Bank
Total of Blackburn
Hundred
Basis,
etc.
1S54.
33,840
,186
,374
,930
,102
721
384
,029
,439
,975
,678
;,903
8,408
13,466
860
3,454
839
2,552
35,891
751
1,126
17,138
10,048
3,772
2,930
1,233
2,547
2,939
3,087
4,893
1,678
1,217
5,822
1,128
2,441
2,299
5,181
798
18,024
3,334
278
878
2,461
2,503
2,129
1,013
1,664
574,608
Basis,
etc.
1866.
£
64,000
9,108
11,008
2,316
31,203
826
430
2,752
17,497
3,354
2,205
15,344
14,500
24,907
1,030
3,734
982
3,567
67,560
901
1,197
29,234
17,960
4,532
3,688
1,347
3,687
8,329
3,435
8,217
1,825
1,338
6,260
1,532
3,039
2,938
7,762
837
26,506
4,193
340
1,288
2,675
7,034
3,696
1,113
1,776
950,663
Basis,
etc.
1872.
£
84,168
10,244
14,248
2,558
36,258
846
502
3,128
20,260
3,762
4,570
20,110
15,118
32,100
1,026
3,976
998
4,150
79,468
908
1,348
32,750
19,842
4,688
3,910
1,424
3,736
5,970
4,148
10,700
1,858
1,478
6,484
1,822
3,050
3,214
7,504
822
30,986
4,714
358
1,458
2,700
8,970
5,976
1,132
1,544
1.159,472
Basis,
etc.
18T7.
£
103,670
12,344
18,084
4,542
48,360
1,118
674
3,514
24,482
4,258
1,562
28,746
22,442
39,766
1,226
4,154
1,438
5,168
94,296
962
1,544
39,162
23,836
5,510
6,446
1,772
5,060
6,500
4,532
19,002
1,878
1,742
7,044
2,158
3,840
3,202
7,842
982
44,262
5,556
368
2,636
3,412
9,724
8,190
1,210
2,278
1,432,206
etc.
1884.
96,882
37,910
134,792
16,818
24,060
6,004
56,086
1,720
566
3,850
24,910
5,580
5,522
18,292
1-3,796
32,088
24,684
62,906
1,228
5,376
1,344
5,988
50,802
42,802
93,644
1,156
1,626
48,398
29,434
5,786
5,978
1,948
5,156
7,524
4,964
23,332
2,162
1,920
8,916
2,816
3,892
3,500
9,082
950
49,398
6,462
390
3,584
4,096
10,136
2,268
12,404
8,276
1,278
2,444
1,739,702
Population in
Persons.
12,549
550
2,548
316
9,030
160
147
3,827
598
176
2,649
3,778
6,068
47
1,668
74
1,228
16,915
447
250
7,654
4,509
1,308
428
438
449
374
1,650
800
719
388
1,435
365
491
939
2,601
161
6,855
945
40
237
747
1,367
909
89
1,208
228,329
Persons.
18,013
1,003
4,070
270
10,109
211
128
759
5,131
839
161
3,581
4,655
7,342
47
1,398
62
997
24,413
423
238
7,701
5,911
1,446
422
320
531
423
1,357
1,198
424
331
1,215
325
409
820
2,087
141
7,383
806
46
228
465
3,292
865
84
1,111
286,955
1871.
Persons.
23,423
1,586
4,907
311
12,000
201
84
791
5,667
854
149
4,035
5,114
10,284
48
1,178
55
1,130
26,823
296
224
10,283
6,914
, 1,229
. 336
263
634
588
1,329
2,577
372
212
810
366
428
646
2,129
134
8,187
747
36
2S0
419
3,803
71
766
335,440
1881.
Persons.
35,033
2,155
6,287 ■
715
14,298
233
77
751
6,239
930
205
6,065
6,196
16,725
30
1,096
73
1,010
28,261
332
154
12,206
8,346
1,312
459
240
667
1,282
4,055
323
184
752
421
349
.484
2,164
128
9,286
895
39
280
737
4,356
1,093
62
682
417,085
Area in
Statute
Acres.
Acres.
4,217
4,008
2,863
895
4,342
317
322
1,584
4,412
990
760
2,036
1,600
4,689
1,509
1,744
873
1,714
5,858
431
1,084
4,883
1,953
2,826
1,701
776
1,548
1,446
2,211
2,982
1,141
1,215
4,379
1,026
3,221
1,988
6,808
865
4,683
1,603
254
1,002
1,693
700
3,510
1,088
850
183,649
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
421
LEYLAND HUNDRED.
TownsMp.
Adlington
Anderton
Bispham
Bretherton
Brindle
Charnock Richard
Chorley
Clayton-iu-le-Wooda .
Coppull
Croston
Cuerden
Duxbury
Eocleston
Euxton
Farington
Heapey
Heath Charnock
Hesketh with
Beooonsall
Heskin
Hoghton
Hoole, Little
Houle, Much
Howick
Button
Leyland
Longton
Mawdsley
Parbold
Penwortham
Rufford
Shevington
Standish with Langtree
Tarleton
TTlnes Walton
Welch Whittle
Wheeliou
Whittle-in-Ie- Woods
Withnell
Worthingtou
Wrightington
Basis,
etc.
1S54.
£
3,890
1,830
1,643
3,871
5,503
4,743
31,171
2,910
6,677
5,087
2,778
2,509
4,142
7,826
7,923
1,895
3,622
2,307
1,882
4,750
1,553
2,661
1,034
3,473
11,797
5 418
5,068
2,383
7,528
4,734
4,690
10,178
6,844
3,602
892
3,012
4,894
5,010
1,877
6,431
Total of Leyland
Hundred 199,038
etc.
1866.
£
5,797
2,448
1,682
4,539
6,298
4,784
43,004
3,159
5,407
6,823
3,130
2,476
4,795
8,446
8,611
1,888
4,830
4,439
2,046
4,549
2,531
2,970
1,163
3,777
14,446
6,623
5,263
3,093
8,028
6,455
7,694
17,348
8,838
4,151
1,822
4,384
5,492
6,227
2,390
6,949
248,795
Basis,
etc.
1872.
£
6,924
2,974
1,692
4,756
7,268
5,166
50,032
3,338
8,040
7,340
3,610
2,624
5,070
9,664
16,574
2,314
5,316
5,122
2,186
5,300
2,662
3,094
1,242
3,866
17,582
7,094
5,760
4,186
9,680
6,552
7,100
19,890
8,796
4,494
1,654
4,866
5,614
8,030
2,916
7,848
282,236
Basis.
etc.
1877.
£
8,026
6,046
1,866
4,944
8,388
5,736
54,622
3,438
9,390
8,350
3,800
2,624
5,232
10,270
16,610
3,090
5,370
2,394
6,794
2,754
3,360
1,502
4,242
21,282
7,916
6,258
4,588
12,128
7,046
5,556
20,250
9,434
4,866
1,796
5,752
5,680
10,044
4,160
8,622
321,114
Basis,
etc.
1884.
£
9,324
6,398
1,908
5,584
9,762
6,996
60,110
3,446
14,398
10,498
3,896
2,736
5,196
12,072
17,270
4,796
7,332
6,030
2,708
8,778
3,266
3,528
1,698
5,216
27,556
9,308
6,904
5,258
13,656
8,182
6,570
22,880
10,208
6,276
1,180
6,428
6,628
11,446
6,964
9,556
Population in
1851.
Persons.
1,090
284
270
818
1,310
872
12,684
747
1,107
1,500
521
324
671
1,631
1,932
495
799
692
358
1,373
202
775
116
500
3,617
1,687
887
473
1,487
861
1,147
2,655
1,945
556
140
1,041
2,310
1,975
176
1,613
370,946
1861.
1871.
Persons.
1,975
243
277
775
1,501
899
15,013
705
1,230
1,790
666
341
965
1,491
1,791
396
772
804
439
1,201
424
708
93
461
3,755
1,637
912
474
1,606
865
1,615
3,054
1,987
488
148
1,260
2,151
2,059
133
1,618
53,641
58,622
Persons.
2,606
262
284
683
1,339
750
16,864
607
1,484
1,518
647
325
953
1,182
1,797
290
1,034
799
336
906
453
644
80
395
3,839
1,455
886
477
1,578
819
1,924
3,698
1,917
414
111
1,471
1,805
1,966
188
1,525
1881.
60,311
Persons.
3,258
317
280
707
1,173
685
19,478
582
1,826
1,791
573
323
900
1,147
2,017
369
916
863
382
871
440
581
62
389
4,961
1,443
928
529
1,642
905
1,570
4,261
1,900
386
115
1,570
1,937
2,106
255
1,520
Area in
Statute
Acres.
65,958
Acres.
1,064
1,229
926
2,437
3,104
1,946
3,614
1,431
2,280
2,361
808
1,012
2 090
2,934
1,860
1,464
1,698
4,736
1,242
2,224
1,223
1,776
754
2,745
3,726
3,669
2,950
1,159
2,270
3,120
1,728
3,265
5,553
2,106
596
1,696
1,365
3,628
659
3,916
88,244
SALFORD HUNDRED.
Basis,
etc.
1864.
Basis,
etc.
1866.
Basis,
etc.
1872.
Basis,
etc.
1877.
Basis,
etc.
1884.
Population in
Area in
Statute
1851.
1861.
1871.
1881.
Acres.
£
5,419
1,569
997
49,898
150,370
...
1,230
10,265
42,319
1,928
6,287
£
5,691
1,904
1,665
69,171
127,400
78,627
£
6,676
2,400
2,326
83,034
113,264
23,526
91,262
£
7,932
2,478
6,248
116,984
124,364
25,902
111,174
£
8,794
2,764
6,616
128,928
152,16.4
34,80.0
129,67,4
Persons.
1,781
373
179
15,777
56,959
"277
3,278
12,687
404
1,860
Persons.
1,803
423
134
21,767
66,801
233
4,290
14,216
881
2,350
Persons.
1,864
388
195
28,066
64,558
174
6,387
18,915
2,506
2,148
Persons.
1,729
380
99
31,197
75,310
142
8,113
25,994
7,967
2,265
Acres.
1,309
798
Anlezarke
2,793
509
Ashton-under-Lyne ...
Municipal
... Sfcalybridge
Kura.1
9.486
206,027
1,605
14.556
56,310
3,000
6,888
228,052
1,658
21,804
75,636
6,580
8,618
261,430
1,724
27,670
108,464
14,890
9,104
316,638
1,544
26,672
129,268
20,728
"408
1,774
6,304
1,021
1,905
Barton -upon- Irwell . . .
10,621
96
BirtJe-cum-Bamford ...
1,429
Bury
...
Rural
...
8,486
422
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIEE— APPENDIX IX.
SALFORD mJNDIiED— continued.
Township.
Basis,
etc.
1S64.
etc.
1866.
etc.
1872.
Basis,
etc.
1877.
Basis,
etc.
1884.
Population in
1851.
1861.
1871.
1881.
Area in
Statute
Acres.
Blaokrod
Blackley
Blatchinworth
Calderbrook .
Bolton, Great....
Bolton, Little
Municipal
Rural ....
and
Bradford
Bradahaw
Breightmet
Broughton
Bumage
Bury
Butterworth
Municipal
Rural
Castleton
Hey wood.,
Rochdale .
Rural
Chadderton
Cheetham
Chorlton-upon-Med-
lock
Chorlton-cum-Hardy.
Clifton
Crompton
Crumpsall
Denton
Didsbury
Droylsden
Edgeworth
Elton
Municipal
Rural
Entwistle
Failsworth
Farn worth
Flixton
Gorton
Halliwell
Municipal
Rural
Harpurhey
Harwood
Haughton
Heap
Bury ....
Hey wood.,
Rural
Heaton
Heaton, Great ,.
Heaton, Little .,
Heaton Norris ...
Municipal
Rural
£
8,442
8,231
12,245
93,352
49,688
5,094
3,749
4,302
52,202
2,984
73,099
20,281
57,201
18,739
58,981
143,151
4,241
10,170
16,063
13,848
7,568
9,780
16,902
3,513
22,360
1,921
10,527
17,403
5,797
17,132
14,924
2,274
3,410
5,636
42,808
4,912
2,286
1,558
47,202
£
13,812
10,685
18,416
118,356
79,014
5,704
84,718
10,320
4,407
5,850
70,551
3,791
92,446
32,006
48,244
41,839
90,083
33,463
75,470
162,952
6,193
14,982
22,985
19,895
11,351
13,552
24,903
4,189
32,056
2,715
16,967
29,965
6,476
41,485
24,406
3,452
4,788
10,830
53,646
8,909
2,458
2,246
40,337
13,050
53,387
£
12,550
14,018
26,032
152,964
108,898
7,932
116,830
20,048
4,364
6,356
99,064
4,352
116,814
2,478
36,280
38,758
92,800
21,422
114,222
51,402
96,684
202,528
10,710
17,562
26,608
24,842
16,368
20,614
28,744
5,084
41,474
3,882
18,536
42,446
7,234
66,884
34,890
6,606
6,098
12,042
65,826
11,542
2,510
2,486
44,520
21,440
65,960
£
21,468
18,134
32,000
184,174
132,'226
11,500
143,726
33,418
5,348
7,354
138,968
4,592
136,970
2,892
43,248
46,140
125,078
37,454
162,532
75,378
113,190
256,388
13,004
30,984
37,112
26,404
21,724
28,330
33,760
5,876
46,312
4,074
30,548
59,022
8,524
91,516
43,516
11,130
5,656
15,558
72,676
17,686
2,702
2,694
69,774
33,636
93,410
£
20,560
21,680
35,080
204,148
148,778
12,772
161,650
45,584
5,730
6,254
158,896
6,110
167,360
3,122
47,200
50,322
7,100
130,200
23,082
160,382
90,936
137,920
266,848
18,596
28,920
49,348
40,018
28,564
42,952
44,644
6,186
40,832
14,716
55,548
6,832
38,496
67,836
12,754
110,380
36','214
14,662
50,876
17,296
4,970
16,434
8,342
72,180
2,930
83,452
19,762
3,190
3,292
6d,'484
41,016
101,500
Persons.
2,509
3,603
3,895
39,923
20,468
1,572
853
1,540
7,126
563
25,484
5,786
17,400
6,188
11,175
36,658
761
1,647
6,375
3,151
3,146
1,449
6,280
1,230
6,778
486
4,433
6,389
1,334
4,476
3,969
458
2,057
3,042
16,048
826
150
800
15,697
Persons.
2,911
4,112
4,860
43,436
26,891
3,523
792
1,562
9,885
624
30,397
6,704
23,771
7,486
17,446
44,795
739
2,140
7,032
4,285
3,335
1,829
8,798
1,350
8,172
422
5,113
8,720
1,302
9,897
5,953
827
2,056
3,371
17,353
955
159
838
16,333
Persons.
3,800
5,173
6,692
46,313
36,698
7,168
870
1,500
14,961
706
32,611
7,923
31,344
12,203
21,617
50,281
1,466
2,366
7,3(12
5,342
5,117
3,064
8,973
1,675
9,591
339
6,685
13,550
1,512
21,616
8,706
1,671
1,976
4,276
17,252
1,126
191
786
16,481
Persons.
4,234
6,C75
7,891
45,694
44,452
16,121
755
1,525
31,534
848
39,283
8,411
Acres.
2,388
1,840
4,781
826
1,779
288
1,156
873
1,426
666
2,330
7,766
35,272
3,812
...
16,899
3,082
25,721
919
65,698
646
2,332
1,280
2,578
1,194
9,797
2,864
8,164
733
7,660
1,706
4,601
1,553
11,254
1,621
1,862
2,925
11,947
2,553
341
1,668
7,912
1,073
20,708
1,502
1,776
1,564
33,096
1,484
12,551
2,480
4,810
193
1.811
1,240
6,051
887
17,686
2,938
1,461
1,744
376
875
828
532
20,347
2,116
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
423
SALFOED HUNDRED— CO jiJimicd.
Township.
Hopwood
Municipal
Rnral
Horwich
Hulme
Hulton, Little ..
Hulton, Middle ..
Hulton, Over ... .
Kearsley
Levenshulme
Lever, Darcy
Lever, Great
Lever, Little
Longworth
Lostock
Manchester
Middletou
Moss Side
Moston
Newton
Oldham
Openshaw
Pendlebury
Pendleton
Pilkington
Jilsworth
Hey wood..
Bury
Eural
Prestwich
Quarlton
EadclifFe
Municipal
Rural
Reddish
Rivington
Royton
Rumworth
Municipal
Rural
Rusholme
Salford
Sharpies
Spotland
Bacup ....
Rochdale.
Rural
and
Stretford....
Tbomham .
Todmorden
Walsden
Tonge
Tonge with Haulgh
Municipal ...
Rural
etc.
1854.
Tottington Higher End
Tottington Lower End
Municipal . . .
Rural
8.326
11,799
145,023
8,110
4,420
3,899
13,732
7,342
5,654
6,373
10,553
962
3,688
730,346
18,434
12,396
6,446
36,518
119,669
14,011
13,252
58,334
34,070
4,150
13,833
1,131
24,508
8,354
2,106
17,632
4,883
25,817
159,328
11,076
75,645
28,669
6,346
25,719
6,529
8,721
12,466
26,894
Basis,
etc.
1866.
16,342
14,027
180,073
13,862
4,594
5,205
20,031
9,364
6,018
10,958
15,690
1,722
4,718
882,998
21,814
21,691
7,975
43,259
214,242
28,532
22,572
84,497
44,255
4,650
22,557
1,390
36,158
8,304
3,451
19,263
7,611
33,906
189,587
13,236
22,917
79,867
102,784
49,960
6,950
34,067
11,760
6','962
6,280
13,242
15,785
33,277
Basis,
etc.
1872.
£
21,446
14,706
199,622
18,752
5,230
6,508
22,020
13,668
7,678
17,140
18,130
1,772
7,010
1,177,820
22,938
38,388
12,134
62,892
265,622
45,580
28,068
110,608
53,250
5,354
31,382
1,362
47,194
15,566
4,258
26,674
7,616
5,254
etc,
1877.
Basis,
etc.
1884.
Population In
£
28,164
16,148
233,766
25,790
8,582
8,696
29,256
18,458
9,872
26,904
21,354
2,360
7,236
1,499,854
27,766
68,766
15,224
83,502
374,860
62,846
42,326
151,186
61,702
7,178
34,396
1,406
61,172
27,802
12,152
36,896
9,892
6,538
12,870
40,010
246,674
16,222
47,486
82,132
129,618
66,212
9,016
37,774
13,274
11,022
8,070
19,092
16,560
44,862
16,430
60,004
332,326
19,352
52,772
109,142
161,914
99,600
10,710
43,554
19,132
13,008
11,186
24,194
22,286
53,664
19,760
9,622
29,382
15,990
252,034
26,598
8,464
9,112
29,150
22,102
10,210
30,894
16,092
1,924
8,592
1,579,552
34,568
102,744
19,108
117,170
480,060
83,608
33,776
192,420
74,522
4,806
64
4,666
9,636
43,706
1,518
"926
80,146
81,072
30,578
12,094
47,008
10,'918
6,860
17,778
63,110
382,904
20,902
39,140
54,432
66,084
159,666
121,942
10,490
40,442
24,234
16,'304
14,790
31,094
24,366
6,'576
55,548
Persons.
1,575
3,952
53,482
3,184
888
462
4,286
1,902
2,091
713
3,511
162
620
186,986
8,717
943
904
10,801
62,820
3,759
2,750
14,224
12,863
373
4,096
361
6,293
1,218
412
6,974
1,386
3,679
63,423
3,904
23,476
4,998
1,510
7,699
3,831
2,826
2,958
10,691
62,124
1861.
Persons.
2,281
3,471
68,433
3,390
790
447
5,003
2,095
2,071
722
3,890
164
680
185,410
9,876
2,695
1,199
14,907
72,333
8,623
3,548
20,900
12,303
343
5,288
253
1,363
369
7,493
1,861
5,380
71,002
3,294
30,378
8,767
2,027
9,146
4,606
3,539
3,726
11,764
1871.
Persons.
3,655
3,671
74,731
4,805
911
674
6,830
2,742
2,048
1,423
4,204
113
670
173,988
9,472
5,403
1,663
19,446
82,629
11,108
6,163
25,489
11,949
386
6,820
264
11,446
2,329
531
7,794
3,226
5,910
83,277
3,315
35,611
11,946
2,079
9,333
5,115
4,050
3,595
12,631
Area in
Statute
Acres.
Persons.
4,440
3,761
72,147
5,714
2,051
984
7,253
3,567
1,994
3,673
4,413
106
782
148,794
10,346
18,184
3,466
31,240
111,343
16,163
8,162
40,246
13,144
758
8,627
271
16,267
5,557
330
10,582
4,962
9,227
101,584
3,710
40,140
19,018
1,860
9,237
7,254
6,731
3,926
16,428
Acres.
2,126
3,254
477
1,707
1,517
1,316
997
606
499
867
807
1,654
1,520
1,646
1,930
421
1,297
1,685
4,730
579
1,031
2,254
5,469
1,483
1,917
798
2,533
1,541
2,768
1,372
1,244
974
1,329
3,999
14,174
3,255
1,936
7,007
392
1,099
3,545
5,271
424
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
SALFORD
HUNDRED —continued.
Township.
Basis,
etc.
1854.
Basis,
etc
1866.
Basis,
etc.
1872.
Basis,
etc.
1877.
Basis,
etc.
1884.
Population in
Area in
Statute
1851.
1861.
1871.
1881.
Acres.
Turton
£
11,209
3,871
16,856
41,399
12,026
12,027
31,684
19,769
£
15,012
4,1-72
20,684
62,337
18,811
23,404
37,239
"615
23,369
£
19,444
6,236
26,490
63,878
26,092
43,078
50,404
10,086
18,960
£
21,488
9,526
29,410
77,834
33,224
73,124
71,760
11,452
23,248
£
27,462
15,954
"564
33,998
Persons.
4,158
730
4,802
14,103
4,547
1,492
10,189
7,£55
...
Persons.
4,513
748 ■
5,298
17,840
5,156
2,712
11,875
8,201
Persons.
4,942
996
6,558
19,300
6,609
6,291
15,837
8,988
Persons.
6,653
2,242
5,619
19,711
9,197
11,286
21,207
10,487
Acres.
4,614
993
Walmersley-cum-
Shuttleworth
Municipal ....
5,065
Wardlsworth
34,562
75,174
42,904
88,060
83,700
13,488
22,708
766
Westhouglitoii
4,341
Withinerton
2,502
6,928
Wuerdale and Wardle,.
Municipal
Rural
3,523
23,884
29,046
34,700
36,196
Total of Salford
3,049,263
4,082,799
5,269,222
6,848,754
7,807,172
937,589
1,112,951
1
1,273,779 1.546_l.f;2
224,928
WEST DERBY HUNDRED.
Township.
Basis,
etc.
1854.
Basis,
etc.
etc.
1872.
Basis,
etc.
1877.
Basis,
etc.
1884.
Population in
1851.
1861.
1S71.
1881.
Area in
Statute
Acres.
Acres.
1,982
850
1,586
4,083
6,250
2,685
2,426
4,610
2,826
6,444
1,161
1,571
2,215
4,483
1,404
4,960
4,193
1,729
1,148
2,168
1,811
959
1,723
5,369
2,104
1,938
3,473
3,569
693
1,709
6,619
1,625
1,679
2,135
2,612
3,988
6,995
2,409
Abram
Aintree
AUerton
Altcar
Ashtcn-in-Makerfield
Astley
Atherton
Aughton
Bedford
Biokerstaffe
Billinge Chapel End .
Billinge Higher End .
Birkdale
Bold
Bootle-cum-Linacre .
Buracough
Burtonwood
Childwall
Cronton
Cro'iby, Great
Crosby, Little
Croxteth Park
Cuerdley
Culcheth
Dalton
Ditton
DownhoIIand
Eccleston
Municipal
Rural
Everton
Fazackerley
Formby
Garston
Golborue
Haigh
Hale
Halewood . .
Halsall
Haydook
£
4,990
3,212
6,267
5,600
16,822
7.325
13,070
11,854
12,008
9,785
3,445
3,438
2,678
7,636
18,538
11,032
8,499
2,899
2,305
12,700
3,489
1,698
2,426
9,430
3,203
3,787
4,867
21,356
81,000
5,052
6,489
21,537
6,397
7,094
3,453
6,617
8,599
8,804
£
6,624
3,829
9,539
5,868
32,393
8,594
22,490
15,271
15,929
11,725
5,091
3,903
11,909
9,647
45,254
13,219
10,607
3,800
2,-393
28,832
4,500
1,614
3,329
12,254
3,329
5,082
5,470
28,627
208,047
5,852
9,073
36,300
11,403
8,102
3,714
9,748
10,504
11,983
£
8,576
4,016
13,754
5,930
43,488
9,400
30,972
18,682
17,184
12,068
4,212
3,940
21,288
11,444
68,660
13,170
13,030
4,034
2,936
44,568
4,564
1,500
4,058
13,142
3,548
7,560
5,686
35,736
266,604
6,754
10,898
49,246
16,016
13,932
3,900
13,846
10,988
16,156
£
14,692
5,204
17,746
6,826
50,964
12,788
37,768
21,918
19,816
15,970
4,6-38
3,570
30,728
12,946
103,770
15,608
13,638
4,110
3,350
60,936
5,434
2,098
6,396
15,404
3,764
8,352
6,044
43,888
280,020
8,604
14,160
64,318
21,684
17,756
4,022
20,264
11,472
20,786
£
24,748
6,380
22,lfl2
7,166
58,384
12,656
46,976
26,940
25,618
18,520
4,292
4,164
50,918
16,778
278,692
19,200
15,658
4,328
4,430
70,490
6,828
2,096
6,460
16,234
3,472
13,338
6,138
35,756
24,424
60,180
329,520
9,088
23,060
73,108
23,420
15,656
4,536
27,820
12,454
20,368
Persons.
968
312
482
501
5,679
2,237
4,655
1,655
5,384
1,667
1,777
900
625
773
4,106
2,480
831
166
439
2,403
407
41
193
2,395
462
584
766
8,509
25,883
427
1,594
2,756
1,910
1,220
629
1,146
1,194
1,994
Persons.
911
300
559
540
6,566
2,109
6,907
1,870
6,568
1,637
2,015
1,051
1,286
798
6,414
2,461
990
174
412
3,794
418
46
192
2,214
453"
764
748
11,640
54,848
407
1,780
4,720
2,776
1,171
648
1,205
1,204
3,615
Persons.
1,065
278
717
570
7,463
2,030
7,531
2,.597
6,610
1,910
1,961
1,267
3,375
921
16,247
2,202
1,112
197
429
6,362
432
31
187
2,266
497
1,139
757
13,832
90,937
454
2,016
7,840
3,688
1,201
665
1,790
1,336
5,286
Persons.
2,638
277
830
550
9,824
2,669
12,602
3,145
7,246
2,269
1,935
1,402
8,705
880
27,374
2,290
1,268
187
468
9,373
563
39
227
2,267
494
1,412
748
18,026
109,812
533
3,908
10,271
4,502
1,186
571
1,857
1,368
5,863
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
425
WEST DERBY HUNDRED— continued
Township.
Hindley
Houghton, Middleton,
and Arbury
Huyton with Roby .
Ince Blundell
Inoe-in-MakerSeld
Kenyon
Kirkby
Kirkdale
Kuowsley
Lathom
Litherland
Liverpool ,1
Lowton
Lunt
Lydiate
Maghull
MeUing
Netherton
Newton-in -Makerfield
North Meols
Municipal
Rural
Bnsls,
etc.
1S54.
Ormskirk
Orrell
Orrell and Ford
Parr
Pemberton
Penketh
Pennington
Poulton with Fearn
head
Prescot
Rainf ord
Rainhill
Rixton with Glazebrook
Sankey, Great
Scarisbrick
Sefton
Simonswood
Skelmersdale
Southworth with Croft
Speke
Sutton
Thornton
Torbock
ToxtethPark
Municipal ..
Rural
Tyldesley with Shacker-
ley
UphoUand
Walton on the Hill
Warrington
Municipal . .
Rural
Wavertree
West Derby
Municipal
Rural
Westleigh
Whiston ...
Widnes . . ,
£
16,000
1,614
14,968
4,771
20,701
4,587
7,114
31,505
9,364
18 406
12,491
,040,400
5,611
1,126
5,171
7,430
5,160
2,632
14,848
27,605
10,308
4,793
2,344
10,628
13,339
2,789
9,676
3,732
9,092
8,622
7,682
3,471
3,655
12,128
2,763
2,976
3,366
3,743
4,837
26,667
2,041
3,799
18,592
14,152
12,147
18,487
52,390
27,782
144,190
8,728
8,658
11,195
Basis,
etc.
isaa.
£
25,271
2,019
23,179
5,660
48,070
5,779
9,5C2
155,648
9,826
21,821
23,661
1,520,391
7,165
1,152
6,133
8,555
5,809
3,400
28,424
81,302
12,338
5,486
2,800
19,342
22,557
4,054
13,666
4,234
9,050
12,123
10,826
4,402
5,658
15,367
3,209
3,537
7,477
4,715
5,750
49,213
2,264
4,142
266,800
30,650
297,450
17,875
14,423
22,881
60,779
6,847
67,626
45,798
136,179
109,476
245,655
17,191
9,547
30,564
£
32,572
2,092
33,300
5,604
35,700
6,542
10,000
180,984
10.234
24,100
30,552
1,883,526
7,628
1,200
6,594
9,982
6,372
3,416
34,308
91,'870
12,582
Basis,
etc.
1872.
£
50,952
2,278
37,468
6,360
50,904
9,672
12,154
251,600
13,612
27,844
34,550
1,921,416
8,572
1,264
6,876
11,520
6,990
3,708
40,666
168,'] 72
7,156
104,452
13,284
7,290
3,256
22,756
27,908
5,344
15,528
4,306
9,502
16,546
14,698
4,276
5,472
16,500
3,280
3,652
12,332
5,006
7,652
74,172
2,314
4,286
318,'968
43,502
362,470
28,296
16,924
30,988
89,318
6,936
96,254
66,170
172,'il4
158,104
330,218
24,918
12,168
56,736
Basis,
etc.
1877.
£
65,664
2,258
45,000
6,532
64,760
8,726
13 206
308,554
13,746
34,896
54,672
2,046,024
9,574
1,208
7,414
13 726
7,896
3,942
52,254
219,'348
10,854
175,328
15,456
10,022
3,506
27,636
41,242
6,092
19,284
4,882
10,966
19,908
14,814
6,684
7,060
18,834
3,584
6,504
27,444
5,050
9,372
98,902
2,434
5,194
372,426
60,854
433,280
43,326
22,078
46,284
106,248
10,102
116,350
73,648
201,918
171,434
373,352
29,120
20,302
91,692
Basis,
etc.
1884.
230,202
20,664
10,816
5,020
31,660
47,028
8,122
25,888
5,722
12,916
24,622
15,054
7,652
8,590
22,030
4,118
7,246
36,184
5,246
14,064
97,178
2,552
6,542
453,'850
123,716
577,566
48,132
20,406
124,620
139,024
16,808
155,832
94,266
240,126
212,044
452,170
34,288
20,884
121,234
Population in
1861.
Persons.
7,023
238
1,785
561
3,670
293
1,460
9,893
1,486
3,291
2,252
258,236
2,140
75
842
1,056
662
258
3,719
6,183
2,762
279
4,875
5,252
679
4,573
708
6,393
2,333
1,622
796
527
2,109
433
470
760
1,097
534
5,288
298
681
61,834
5,397
3,359
2,469
20,800
4,011
32,973
3,750
1,825
3,217
1861.
Persons.
8,477
253
2,079
572
8,266
274
1,415
16,135
1,349
3,385
3,632
269,742
2,384
78
848
1,144
728
286
5,909
14,661
6,426
2,932
358
8,253
6,870
784
5,015
672
5,136
2,784
2,130
752
563
2,112
430
461
1,028
1,094
571
9,223
291
626
69,284
6,029
3,463
3,598
24,050
5,392
52,694
4,434
1,727
6,905
1871.
Persons.
10,627
252
3,184
540
11,989
234
1,397
32,978
1,283
3,659
4,884
238,411
2,144
103
848
1,284
771
350
8,244
22,274
6,127
3,561
414
9,281
10,374
1,042
5,423
687
5,077
3,336
2,308
739
630
2,143
390
451
3,171
1,033
509
10,905
294
647
85,842
6,408
4,158
6,459
29,894
7,810
77,969
5,590
2,058
14,359
Area in
Statute
Acres.
Persons.
14,715
242
4,060
516
16,007
233
1,401
58,145
1,248
4,161
7,204
210,164
2,357
104
1,071
1,429
802
386
10,580
33,763
6,651
4,299
637
11,278
13,762
1,239
6,640
742
5,546
3,745
2,219
881
630
2,232
382
465
5,707
1,032
513
12,695
275
629
117,028
9,954
4,435
18,715
40,967
11,097
101,162
7,848
2,705
24,935
Acres.
2,611
853
3,054
2,316
2,320
1,685
4,175
926
5,058
8,694
1,205
2,470
1,830
477
1.995
2,098
2,118
1,126
3,103
8,467
573
1,618
727
1,633
2,894
1,059
1,483
1,320
270
5,872
1,640
2,988
1,923
8,397
1,2.34
2,645
1,941
1,884
3,734
3,725
774
2,413
3,598
2,490
4,685
1,944
2,887
1,838
6,203
1,883
1,783
3,339
55
426
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
WEST DERBY JWSVRED -continued.
Townstiip.
Basis,
etc.
1864.
Basis,
etc.
1866.
Basis,
etc.
1S72.
Basis
etc.
1877.
Basis,
etc.
1884.
Population in
Area in
Statute
1851.
1861.
1871.
1881.
Acres.
£
63,894
24,042
4,592
5,337
2,774
6,333
11,222
£
84,847
43,324
6,206
7,241
2,936
8,715
15,802
£
97,396
56,190
6,856
9,456
3,598
11,890
19,602
£
123,964
65,716
8,244
10,388
4,066
15,588
22,814
£
163,592
81,550
9,400
Persons.
31,941
9,370
675
469
516
1,016
3,669
Persons.
37,658
12,229
633
451
496
1,062
3,586
Persons.
39,110
15,016
602
456
501
1,128
4,684
Persons.
48,194
19,473
545
487
504
1,159
4,541
Acres.
2,188
Windle
3,150
Municipal
Rural
Winstanlev
90,950
7,606
10,362
4,620
15,830
22,350
1,859
Winwick with Hulme..
Woolston with
Martinscroft
Woolton, Little
1,440
1,566
1,388
795
Woolton Much
Total of West Derby
Hundred
2,374,199
3,798,806
4,734,124
5,539,168
6,795,072
633,117
769,020
915,240
1,124,095
260,548
SUMMARY.
Hundred.
Basis, etc.
1854.
Basis, etc.
1866.
Basis, etc.
1872.
Basis, etc.
1877.
Basis, etc,
1884.
Population in
Area in
Statute
1851.
1861.
1871.
1881.
Acres.
Lonsdale
£
298,276
414,272
574,608
199,038
3,049,263
2,374,199
£
423,665
525,239
950,663
248,795
4,082,799
3,798,806
£
514,402
592,544
1,159,472
282,236
5,269,222
4,734,124
£
767,630
718,018
1,432,206
321,114
6,848,754
5,539,168
£
1,010,772
896,956
1,738,740
370,946
7,791,862
6,789,222
Persons.
65,317
113,243
228,329
53,641
637,589
633,117
Persons.
71,164
130,728
286,955
58,622
1,112,951
769,020
Persons.
94,842
139,883
335,440
60,311
1.273,779
915,240
Persons.
139,033
162,118
417,085
65,958
1.546,152
1,124,095
Acres.
291,408
158,295
183,649
88,244
224,928
260,548
Amounderness . . .
Lpyland
Saltord
West Derby
Grand Total of
County ...
6,909,666
10,029,967
12,552,000
15,626,890
18,598,498
2,031,236
2,429,440
2,819,495
3,454,441
1,207,072
Signed, by order of the Committee,
C. R. JACSON, Chairman.
Allowed and oonErmed by the Court of Annual General Session of the Peace held by adjournment at Preston, in and for the
County Palatine of Lancaster, on Thursday, the Third day of April, in the forty-seventh year of the reign of Queen Victoria, and in
the year of our Lord one thousand eight hundred and eighty-four, pursuant to the Statute.
Le Gendee N. Stabkie (Colonel),
Chairman.
Two or three Tables present useful summaries : —
No. 1.— TABLE SHOWING THE VALUATION OF THE VARIOUS POOR-LAW UNIONS IN THE COUNTY (1884).
Union. Total.
*Ashton-under-Lyne , £406,280
Barton -upou-Irwell
Earrow-in-FurnesB
Blackburn
Bolton
Burnley
Bury
Chorley .
392,538
241,046
733,936
831,828
503,796
616,382
259,058
Chorlton 1,185,472
•Clitheroe 90,910
Fylde, The 333,864
Garstang 123,312
Haslingden 360,560
*Kendal 2,430
Lancaster 268,806
Leigh 251,512
Liverpool (Township) 2,046,024
Lunesdale 96,336
Union. Total.
Manchester (Township) .£1,579,552
Oldham 739,398
Ormskirk 570,982
Preacot 659,112
Preston 568,588
Prestwich 508,188
Rochdale 516,810
Salford 767,996
*Stockport 132,078
*Todmorden 40 442
Toxteth Park 577|566
Ulverston 405,444
*Warringtou 303,'l34
WestDerby 1,932,582
Wigan 577,948
Total £18,623,910
Part in other Counties.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
427
No. 2.— VALUATION OF CITIES AND BOROUGHS HAVING COURTS OF QUARTER SESSIONS.
Hundred.
City or Borough.
Comprising the
Township of
Valuation of the
Township.
Valuation of
City or Borough.
Bolton ■
Liverpool •
Manchester -
Wigan
Great Bolton
£
204,148
148,778
36,214
10,918
16,304
2,046,024
329,520
368,554
453,850
240,126
1,579,552
128,928
20,728
266,848
137,920
252,034
Total
£
Salford
Little Bolton (part of)
Halliwell (part of)
416,362
Rumworth do
Tonge-with-Hau]gli(part of)
Everton
3,438,074
West Derby
Kirkdale
Toxteth Park (part of) '.'.'.'..'.
West Derby do
Manchester
Ardwick
-
ClftlfnT-r?
Beswiok
2,386,010
Chorlton-upon-Medlock
J
163,592
West Derby
Wigan
6,404,038
No. 3.— VALUATION OF BOROUGHS NOT HAVING GRANTS OF QUARTER SESSIONS, HAVING THEIR
OWN POLICE, AND NOT LIABLE TO BE RATED FOR COUNTY CONSTABULARY PURPOSES.
Hundred.
Borough.
ComprisiDg the
Township of
Valuation of
Township.
Valuation of
Borough.
£
361^374
6,004
17,768
18,292
10,136
'M22
410
9,676
318,844
2,708
3,122
130,200
54,432
75,174
13,488
158,896
192,420
382,902
Total
£
115,178
152,164
Salford
Ash ton -under- Lyne
Ashton-under-Lyne (part of ) . . .
Do. do. ...
Barrow-in-Furness
34,800
Barrow-in-Furness
Blackburn -
241,046
Little Harwood
Blackburn
Lower Darwen (part of)
Livesev f oart oi)
413,574
Witton do
85,126
Lancaster
Salford
OMham
Oldham
480,060
Preston
Rochdale -
Salford -!
Fish wick
Grimsargh-with-Brockholes
Lea, Ashton, Ingol, and Cot-
I 341,060
Ribbleton fcart of)
-,
nfl^hlpton do.
Salford
Spotland do
y 276,416
Wuerdale and "Wardle (part of)
^
Pendleton
i- 734,220
Stockport ,
Southport
J
Salfnrfl
Heaton Norris (part of)
North Meols do
Warrington do
60,484
219,348
West Derby
"Warrington
139,024
£3,292,500
Valuation of Boroughs as above having their own Police £3,292,500
Valuation of Boroughs having separate Courts of Quarter Sessions 6,m,038
9,696,538
Valuation of part of County rateable for County Constabulary ^'^^^'^^^
Total Valuation of the County
,.£18,623,910
428
TJIE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
No. 4.- THE FOLLOWING TOWNSHIPS ARE NOT LIABLE TO CONTRIBUTE TOWARDS THE
REPAIRS OF BRIDGES.
Hundred.
Lonsdale
AmoundernesB
Blackburn
West Derby ..
West Derby
Township.
^Lancaster
Preston
Clitheroe
Clitheroe Castle
Altcar
Winwick-with-Hulme
Liverpool
Wigan
Valuation of
Township.
£
85,126
318,844
36,548
114
7,166
10,362
2,046,024
163,592
Total exempt in
Hundred.
£
85,126
318,844
36,662
17,528
458,160
2,209,616
Valuation of County ex Boroughs having separate Quarter Sessions ^^^'lio'^In
Deduct— Townships exempt from contributing as above 4&»,ibU
Valuation upon which Rates are levied for County and Hundred Bridges l^c'ini' nss £ll!''61>712
Valuation of Boroughs having separate Quarter Sessions oonoftiR
Deduct— Liverpool and Wigan Townships exempt /, ZU9,blb
Valuation for Orders upon Boroughs having separate Quarter Sessions 4,194,422
Total Valuation of County contributing towards the repair of County and Hundred Bridges £15,956,134
The following Table shows the amounts of various rates laid for different purposes, as County and Hundred Bridges, Houses of
Correction, salary of Chairman of Quarter Sessions, and payments for the County Constabulary force. In each column we have
omitted the shillings and pence, as immaterial to the substantial result : —
No. 5.— VALUATION OF THE WHOLE OP THE COUNTY IN HUNDREDS, INCLUDING BOROUGHS HAVING
GRANTS OR QUARTER SESSIONS. THE AMOUNTS STATED IN THE HEADS OF THE COLUMNS
INDICATE THE AMOUNT OP A RATE AT SO MUCH IN THE POUND ON THE BASIS OR STANDARD.
HUNDEED.
Annual
Value.
1884.
Bate of
a penny.
7-Stha
ot a
penny.
Three
far-
things.
5-8ths
of
a penny.
Half-
penny.
3-Sths
of a
penny.
Far-
thing.
3-16ths
of a
penny.
l-8th
of a
penny.
1-I2th
of a
penny.
l-16tll
of a
penny.
l-24th
of a
penny.
l-32nd
of a
penny.
£
1,014,062
896,956
1,739,702
370,946
7,807,172
6,795,072
£
4,225
3,737
7,248
1,545
32,529
28,312
£
3,697
3,270
6,342
1,352
28,463
24,773
£
3,168
2,802
5,436
1,159
24,397
21,234
£
2,640
2,335
4,530
906
20,331
17,695
£
2,112
1,868
3,624
772
16,264
14,156
£
1,584
1,401
2,718
579
12,198
10,617
£
1,056
934
1,812
386
8,132
7,078
£
792
700
1,359
289
6,099
5,308
£
528
467
906
193
4,066
3,539
£
352
311
604
128
2,710
2,359
£
264
233
453
96
2,033
1,769
£
176
155
302
64
1,355
1,179
£
132
Amouuderness..
Blackburn
Leyland
116
226
48
Salf ord
1,016
West Derby ...
884
Total
18,623,910
77,699
67,899
58,199
48,499
38,799
29,099
19,399
14,549
9,699
6,466
4,849
3,233
2,424
No. 6.— OMITTING BOROUGHS HAVING GRANTS OF QUARTER SESSIONS. FOR THE COUNTY TREASURER,
FOR GENERAL PURPOSES, FOR COUNTY LUNATIC ASYLUMS, AND FOR MAIN ROADS.
HOKDRED.
Annual
Value.
1884.
Bate of
a penny.
7-8th3
of a
penny.
Three
far-
things.
6-8ths
of a
penny.
Half-
penny.
3-8ths
of a
penny.
Far-
thing.
3-16ths
of a
penny.
l-8th
of a
penny.
l-12th l-16th
of a of a
penny, penny.
l-24th
of a
penny.
l-32nd
of a
penny.
Lonsdale
£
1,014,062
896,956
1,739 702
370,946
5,004,800
3,193,406
£
4,225
3,737
7,248
1,545
20,853
13,305
£
■3,697
3,270
6,342
1.352
18,246
11,642
£
3,168
2,802
5,436
1,159
15,640
9,979
£
2,640
2,335
4,530
966
13,033
8,316
£
2,112
1,868
3,624
772
10,426
6,652
£
1,584
1,401
2,718
579
7,820
4,989
£
1,056
934
1,812
386
5,213
3,326
£
792
700
1,359
289
3,910
2,494
£
528
467
906
193
2,606
1,663
£
352
311
604
128
1,737
1,108
£
264
233
453
96
1,303
831
£
176
155
302
64
868
554
£
132
Amouriderness ..
Blackburn
Leyland
116
226
48
Salford
651
West Derby
415
Total
12,219,872
50,916
44,551
38,187
31,822
25,458
19,093
12,729
9,546
6,364
4,243
3,182
2,121
1,591
''** The omission of the shillings and pence in the several Hundreds causes an apparent inaccuracy in the total.
^ Contributes to the cost of Caton (Lune) Bridge,
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
429
URBAN SANITARY AUTHORITIES.
(The initials M.B. stand for Municipal Borough, L.B. Local Board, and I.C. Improvement Commissioners.)
Authorities.
Abram
Accrington
Adlington
Allerton
Asht'in-in-Makerfield
Ashton-under-Lyne
Aspull
Astley Bridge
Atherton
Audenshaw
Baeup
Barrow-in-Furness
Barton, Eocles, Winton, and
Monton
Billinge
Birkdale
Blackburn
Blackpool
Blackrod
Bolton
Bootle-cum-Linacre
Brierfield
Burnley
Bury
Castleton
Cbadderton
Childwall
Chorley
Church
Clay ton-le-Moors
Clitheroe
Colne and Marsden
Crompton
Croston
Crumpsall
Dalton-in-Fumess
Denton and Haughton . .
Droylsden
Failsworth
Farnworth
Fleetwood
Fulwood
Garston
Gorton
Grange
Great Crosby
Great Harwood
Haslingden
Haydock
Heaton Norris
Heywood
Hindley
Horwich
Hurst
Huyton-with-Roby
Ince-in-Makerfield
Kearaley
Kirkham
Lancaster
Lathom
Lees
Leigh
Levenshulme
Leyland
Litherland
Character
of
Authority.
L.B.
M.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
M.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
M.B.
M.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
M.B.
M.B.
L.B.
M.B.
M.B.
L.B.
M.B.
M.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
M.B.
L.B.
L.B.
M.B.
L.B.
LB.
L.B.
L.B.
LB.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
LB.
LC.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
M.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
M.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
Population,
ISSl.
2,638
31,435
3,258
830
9,825
37,027
8,111
5,H13
12,602
5,930
26,034
47,100
21,785
3,882
8,706
104,012
14,229
4,234
105,414
27,374
4,088
58,751
52,213
4,017
16,897
207
19,478
4,850
6,694
10,176
11,970
9,797
1,791
8,151
13.339
12,711
8,687
7,907
20,708
8,000
3,725
10,131
33,091
1,150
5,100
6,287
16,291
5,863
5,797
22,979
14,715
3,761
6,382
4,060
16,009
7,241
3,840
20,663
4,161
3,511
21,733
4,860
4,961
2,486
Kiiteablo
Value,
1881.
£
25,000
113,820
9.708
19,000
57,547
139,960
24,81 4
26,013
48,083
32,838
81,010
220,860
99,154
18,661
51,826
383,097
148,190
19,337
400,811
404,888
13,015
213,630
219,308
25,524
81,500
4,012
61,652
19,015
20,418
32,522
45,303
42,842
10,189
38,722
94,208
40,367
30,000
34,043
63,632
32,254
16,383
85,557
102,613
3,172
35,562
23,405
63,778
19,302
36,353
96,234
57,270
15,642
20,420
30,089
63,476
23,880
10,716
92,090
31,950
12,056
83,863
19,073
27,822
13,920
Authorities.
Littleborough
Little Crosby
Little Hulton
Little Lever
Little Woolton
Liverpool
Lytham
Manchester
Middleton
Milnrow
Mosaley
Moss Side
Much Woolton '.
Nelson
Newton Heath
Norden
Oldham
Openshaw
Ormskirk
Orrell
Oswaldtwisle
Over Darwen
Padiham and Hapton
Pemberton
Poulton, &c
Prescot
Preiston
Prestwich
Radcli£fe
Rainford
Ramsbottom
Rawtenstall
Reddish
Rishton
Rochdale
Rojton
St. Ann's-on-the-Sea
St. Helens
Salford
Skelmersdale
Southport
S tandish-with-Langtree . . .
Stretf ord
Swinton and Pendlebury
Todmorden
Toxteth Park
Trawden
Turton
Tyldesley, &c
Ulverston
UphoUand
Walton-le-Dale
Walton-on-the-HiU
Warrington
Waterloo-with-Seaforth .
Wavertree
West Derby
Westhoughton
Whitefield
Whitworth
Widnes
Wigan ...
Withington
Wuerdle and Wardle
Character
of
Authority.
L.B.
LB.
LB.
L.B-
L.B.
M.B.
LC.
M.B.
M.B.
L.B.
M.B.
LB.
L.B.
L.B.
LB.
L.B.
M.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
M.B.
LB.
L.B.
LB.
L.B.
M.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
LB.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
M.B.
L.B.
L.B.
M.B.
M.B.
L.B.
M.B.
LB.
L.B.
L.B.
LB.
L.B,
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
M.B.
L.B.
L.B.
LB.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
L.B.
M.B.
L.B.
LB.
Population,
1S81.
10,405
583
5,724
4,413
1,159
552,508
5,616
341,414
18,952
7,021
13,382
18,129
4,712
10,381
30,000
4,044
111,343
16,153
6,651
4,299
12,206
31,833
8,983
13,763
3,931
6,418
96,537
8,627
16,267
3,745
18,000
29,226
5,567
4,056
68,866
11,433
1,179
61,830
176,235
5,707
32,206
4,261
19,025
18,108
23,861
10,371
2,164
5,653
9,953
10,008
4,435
9,286
18,772
41,452
9,107
11,157
33,614
9,197
9,516
12,000
24,919
48,194
17,108
4,631
Rateable
Value,
1881.
£
36,381
6,076
24,273
15,340
16,140
3,168,559
28,391
2,411,509
55,141
34,340
55,043
101,768
21,248
44,838
100,450
16,355
564,026
80,883
19,673
11,058
43,635
103,602
29,752
49,974
29,903
13,676
325,973
40,500
75,233
22,715
84,334
106,384
29,707
21,730
252,186
44,000
11,085
247,483
755,347
31,340
221,000
22,065
122,437
70,000
76,582
128,758
9,589
24,610
46,738
43,703
23,595
31.651
174,652
140,703
86,941
101,542
212,048
36,865
40,242
49,603
28,828
66,445
42,461
21,259
430
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIEE— APPENDIX IX.
POOR LAW (AND RURAL SANITARY) AUTHORITIES.
Unions and Authorities.
Ashton-under-Lyne (P.L.A.)
Ashton-under-Lyne (R.S.A.)
Barrow-in-Furnesst
Barton-upon-Ir ^ ell
Blackburn (P.L.A.)
Blackburn (R.S.A.)
Bolton
Burnley (P.L.A.)
Burnley (R.S.A.)
Bury
Chorley (P.L.A.)
Chorley (R.S.A.)
Chorlton*
Clitheroe
Fylde
Garst ang
Haslingden
Lancaster
Leigh (P.L.A.)
Area
Acres.
3,8579
24,928
16,937
24,552
45,855
46,'413
63,674
47,012
33,527
54,426
43,663
11,697
119,226
59,032
60,199
26,712
60,038
24,352
Population
(18S1).
154,501
12,910
47,276
72,811
175,948
8,102
192,413
118,391
26,011
129,608
47,726
18,244
258,206
23,493
40,663
12,375
95,293
40,769
56,315
Rateable
Value (ISSe).
£
594,186
72,093
221,602
403,744
673,804
60,025
779,036
529,202
151,652
572,969
254,723
145,147
1,170,706
155,303
355,664
122,999
352,347
296,698
245,481
Unions and Authorities.
Leigh (R.S.A.)
Liverpoolt
Lunesdale
Mancheatert
Oldham
Ormskirk
Prescot
Preston (P.L.A.) ....
Preston (R.S.A.) ....
Preatwich
Rochdale*
Salford*
Todmordeu
Toxteth Parkt
Ulverston
Warrington
West Derby (P.L.A.)
West Derby (R.S.A,)
Wigan
Area
Acres.
13,247
2,470
75,734
1,577
16,230
87,884
53,140
67,539
49,219
11,346
34,822
6,040
34,994
3,598
126,568
31,071
35,909
13,597
48,396
Population
(1881).
12,027
207,132
7,132
148,799
168,459
83,179
117.938
129,147
15,907
121,269
121,910
181,525
35,526
116,729
19,184
70,222
358,073
13,597
139,867
Rateable
Value (1SS6).
£
67,200
2,036,555
86,380
1,502,766
590,336
550,182
634,816
549,997
143,270
480,793
468,557
783,908
141,887
543,272
176,842
309,054
2,168,358
56,386
567,953
COUNTY POLICE DIVISIONS.
Foe Petty Sessional PnnposEs.
PoUce Divisions.
N. Lonsdale.
S. Lonsdale .
Garstang ....
Kirkham
L. Blackburn
Church
H. Blackburn .
Rossendale
Leyland Hundred
Ley land
Bolton
Bury
Rochdale .
Ashton-under-Lyne
Manchester
West Derby and Bootle.
Bootle (County)
Bootle (Borough)
Ormskirk
Prescot ....
St. Helens .
Warrington .
Wigan
Petty Sessions held at
Ulverston (also Barrow)
Cartmel
Hawkshead
Hornby
Lancaster
Garstang
Preston
Kirkham, Fleetwood, and Blackpool ..
Blackburn
Haslingden
Over I )arweu
Walton-le-Dale
Clitheroe
Church
Blackburn
Clitheroe (County)
Clitheroe (Borough)
Burnley (Borough)
Burnley (County)
Bacup
Rawtenstall
Haslingden
Chorley and Crostou
Leyland
County Police Station, Bolton
Bury (County)
Bury (Borough)
Heywood (Borough)
Rochdale
Middletou
Todmorden
Royton
Ashton-under-Lyne
Manchester, Worsley, Heaton Norris, and
Gorton
Liverpool
Liverpool
Bootle (Borough)
Ormskirk
Southport
Prescot, Widnes, and Woolton
St. Helens
Leigh
Warrington and Newlon-le-Willows
Wigan f,
Days of Holding Petty Sessions.
Every Thursday (11 o'clock).
First Tuesday.
Alternate Mondays.
Once a mouth.
Every Saturday.
Alternate TImrsdays.
Every Saturday.
Court House at each place every alternate Monday.
Every Wednesday.
Alternate Mondays.
Every Thursday.
Alternate Fridays.
Every fourth Tuesday.
Every Thursday.
Every Wednesday.
Once a month.
Once a month.
Every Wednesday.
Alternate Mondays.
Every Wednesday.
Alternate Thursdays.
Alternate Mondays.
Chorley, every Tuesday ; Croston, every 2ad Wednesday.
Every 2nd Monday.
Mondays and Thursdays, every week.
f Mondays and Thursdays, every week.
Wednesdays.
Every Wednesday.
Alternate Thursdays.
Alternate Thursdays.
Every Wednesday.
Mondays, Wednesdays, and Saturdays.
\ Manchester, daily; Worsley, alternate Fridays; Gorton,
J every Wednesday ; Heaton Norris,alternate Mondays.
Liverpool, every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Every Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Daily.
First Friday.
1st and 3rd Thursdays.
/ Prescot, 1st and 3rd Tuesdays ; Widnes, every Wed-
\ nesday ; and Woolton, Ist and 3rd Fridays.
Monday, fortnightly.
Every Monday.
I Warrington, 1st and 3rd Wednesdays ; Newton-le-
( Willows, 2nd and last Saturdays.
Every Monday and Friday.
* Poor-Law Unions. f Poor-Law Parishes only— not Rural Sanitary Authorities.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
431
COUNTY MAGISTRATES AND DEPUTY LIEUTENANTS.
The following List of Magistrates on the Commiasion of the Peace for the County Palatine of Lancaster is compiled from the
Official List, obligingly furnished by Frederic Campbell Hulton, Esq., Clerk of the Peace for the County. It has been corrected so
as to represent the state of the Commission in October 1887. Marked thus ' are Deputy Lieutenants and Magistrates, the others are
Magistrates only.
LONSDALE HUNDRED.
June 29,
Ainslie, Aymer, Esq., Hall-Qarlh, Kellet, Carnforth. October
14, 1872.
Ainslie, Montague Mordaunt, Esq., Hawkshead, and 59a, Davies
Street, Berkeley Square, London, W. January 4, 1847.
Ainslie, William George, Esq., M.P., Ulverston. May 14, 1874.
Ainsworth, David, Esq., The Flosh, Whitehaven. May 22, 1879.
*Ainsworth, David, Esq. (Lieut-Colonel), Broughton Hall, Grange,
Cartmel. October 20, 1869.
Archibald, Charles William, Esq., Rusland Hall, Ulverston.
August 22, 1883.
Askew, Henry William, Esq., Burswood Park, Walton-on-
Thames. December 31, 1855.
Atkinson-Grimshaw, Richard, clerk, Torquay. February 14,
1859.
Baines, Lazarus Threlfall, Bawtrey Hall, Yoi'kshire. October
18, 1875.
Baldwin, William John Atkinson, Esq. (Colonel), Dalton-in-
Furness, and The Albany, London, W. February 19, 1868.
Barratt, James William Henry, Esq., Holywath, Coniston, Amble-
side. May 18, 1887.
Barton, Edward, Esq., Warton Grange, Carnforth. October 18,
1886.
Beck, William Alcock, Esq. (Major), Hawkshead, Ambleside.
April 4, 1859.
Bent, Baldwin Harry, Esq., Stowe Hill, Bury St. Edmunds,
Suffolk. January 5, 1857.
Bird, Charles Henry, Esq., Crookey, Garstang. January 15,
1867.
Blades, Charles, Esq., Moor Piatt, Caton, Lancaster. June 27,
1887.
*Bolden, William Bolden, Esq., Hyning, Carnforth. April 4,
1836.
Bowman, Thomas, Esq., Roger Ground, Hawkshead. December
31, 1849.^
Brancker, John Houghton, Esq., The Crow Trees, Melling, near
Carnforth. August 12, 1885.
Bridson, Joseph Ridgway, Esq., Bryerswood, Windermere.
April 20, 1870.
Brogden, Alexander, Esq., London. June 27, 1864.
Cavendish, Lord Edward, M.P., Holker Hall, Cartmel. October
18, 1875.
Clarke, John Edward Henry, Esq., Hollen Oak, Haverthwaite,
Ulverston. April 3, 1876.
Cook, Henry, Esq., Salthouse Villa, Barrow-in-Furness. January
1, 1883.
Cowper, James Canham, Esq., Keenground, Hawkshead, Amble-
side. April 7, 1879.
Cragg, William Smith, E^q., Arkholme, Kirkby Lonsdale.
April 5, 1869.
Cranke, John, Esq., Ulverston. July 12, 1878.
*Cross, Right Hon. VLscount, G.C.B., Eocleriggs, Broughton-m-
Furness. April 17, 1860.
Dawson, Edward Bousfield, Esq., Aldcliffe Hall, Lancaster.
October 18, 1875. ^ „ „ „ „ „
*Devonshire, The Most Noble the Duke of, K.G., Holker Hall,
Cartmel. January 4, 1836.
Dickson, Arthur Benson, Esq., Abbotts Reading, Haverthwaite,
Ulverston. December 30, 1872. .„„-,,
Edmondson, Thomas Grassyard, Esq., Grassyard Hall, baton,
Lancaster. February 7, 1867.
Garnett, Charles Henry, Esq., Wyreside, Lancaster.
1874.
*Garnett, Henry, E^q., Wyreside, Lancaster. April 3, 1854.
Garnett, Robert, Esq., Leyfield, Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth.
February 22, 1882.
*Garnett, William, Esq., Quernmore Park, Lancaster. November
23, 1874.
Gillow, Richard Charles, Esq., Lancaster, July 1, 1878.
Gillow, Richard Thomas, Esq., Leighlon Hall, Carnforth. April
4, 1853.
Grafton, Frederick William, Esq., Heyaham Hall, Lancaster.
August 27, 1871.
Greene, Dawson Cornehus, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), Whittington
Hall. Kirkby Lonsdale, Carnforth. July 1, 1867.
Greene, Henry Dawson, Esq. , Whittington Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale.
October 28, 1884.
Greg, Albert, Esq., Escowbeck, Caton, Lancaster. April 2, 1877.
Gregson, Bryan Padgett, E.sq., Caton, Lancaster. June 28, 1875.
Harker, John, Esq., M,D., Hazel Grove, near Carnforth. October
20, 1886.
Hargreaves, William, Esq., 66, Cambridge Terrace, Hyde Park,
London. October 19, 1842.
Harris, Samuel James, Esq., Halton Park, Lancaster. June 27,
1887.
Harrison, Wordsworth, Esq., The Lund, Ulverston. April 7, 1879.
*Hartington, Bight Hon. the Marquis of, M.P., Holker Hall,
Cartmel. December 30, 1860.
Hibbert, Henry, Esq., Broughton Grove, Grange-over-Sands .
January 5, 1881.
Hibbert, Percy John, Esq., Plumtree Hall, Milnethorpe. April
6, 1885.
*Hibbert, Right Hon. John Tomlinson, Hampsfield, Grange-over-
Sands, July 9, 1855.
Hibbert, Thomas Johnson, Esq., Broughton Grove, Cartmel.
June 27, 1870.
Higgin, William Housman, Esq., Q.C., Springfield, Lancaster.
August 23, 1869.
*Hornby, Edmund Geofirey Stanley, Esq., Dalton Hall, Burton,
Westmorland. June 29, 1863.
Johnson, Christopher, Esq., Lancaster. January 2, 1882.
Kennedy, James Douglass, Esq. (Captain), Scarthwaite, Lancaster.
October 20, 1875.
Kennedy, Matthew, Esq., Low Nook, Ambleside. January 11,
Lane, William, Esq., Walker Ground, Hawkshead. March 1, 1887.
Leeming, Richard, Esq., Greaves House, Lancaster. January 2,
1882.
Le Fleming, Stanley Hughes, Esq., Rydal Hall, Ambleside.
April 7, 1884.
Lister, Edward, Esq., c/o A. M. Martin, Esq., 22, Kidbrook Grove,
Blackheath, London. July 4, 1883.
Little, James William, Esq., Armadale, Barrow-in-Furness. April
5, 1880. „ „. ^
*Marshall, John Bowlandson, Esq., HoUington House, HoUington,
Hastings. November 28, 1850.
Marshall, Victor Alexander Ernest, Esq., Waterhead House,
Coniston, Ambleside. October 14, 1878.
*Marton, George Blucher Heneage, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), Capern-
wray Hall, Carnforth. June 29, 1863.
Midgley James Herbert, Esq., Berners Close, Grange-over-
Sands. June 28, 1886.
*Fell, John, Esq., Dane Ghyll, Furness Abbey, Barrow-in-Furness. j^^^^^l'^^^' J;^^," "^orth, ' Esq., Newton, Kirkby Lonsdale.
Fell, SaLuei Gregson, Esq., Walton House, Llangollen. April jj^j.j.°'=^"^rth^ |,q^^Newtou Cottage, Kirkby Lonsdale. August
*Fenwick, Thomas Fenwick, Esq., Burrow, Kirkby Lonsdale. ^^^^'^^'.^^^^[^ Chevallier, Esq., Cartmel, Carnforth. January
April 8, 1878. _. iq \qqi
Fitzgerald, Sir Gerald Dalton, Bart., 42, Grosveuor rJace, p^^.^^ ^-^jj^^ ^sq., West Mount, Barrow-in-Furness. January
Fetch,' William, Esq., Cavendish Park, Barrow-in-Furness.
January 1, 1883.
London, S.W. October 19, 1868, on,,,.,
*Ford, William, Esq., Ellel Hall, Lancaster. June 30, 1851.
Gale, Henry Richmond Hoghton, Esq., Baidsea Hall, Ulverston,
January 5, 1857.
432
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
Preston, George Theophilus Robert, Esq., EUel Grange, Lancaster.
October 18, 1869.
Preston, Right Hon. Lord Stanley of, G.C.B., Witherskck Hall,
Grange, and 5, Portland Place, London, W. January 20,
1866.
*Ramsden, Sir James, Knight, Furness Abbey, Lancashire.
August 24, 1864.
Rawlinson, Robert, Esq., 4, Lansdowne Villas, Cheltenham. May
23, 1872.
Redmayne, Giles, Esq., Brathay Hall, Ambleside. May 23, 1872.
Ridehalgh, George John Miller, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), Fell Foot,
Newby Bridge, Ulverston. January 6, 1869.
*Rigge, Henry Fletcher, Esq., Wood Broughton, Grange. June
29, 1868.
Royds, Charles Twemlow, Clerk, Heysham, Lancaster. October
19, 1868.
Royds, Francis Twemlow, Clerk, Heysham Rectory, Lancaster.
January 4, 1886.
Saunders, Charles Morley, Esq., Wenniugton Hall, Lancaster.
May 28, 1877.
Schneider, Henry William, Esq., Belsfleld, Windermere. July
14, 1874.
Sharp, Edward, Esq., Linden Hall, Carnforth. January 4,
1886.
Smith, Josiah Timmis, Esq., Rhine Hill, Stratford- on- Avon.
December 30, 1872.
Starkie, John Piers Chamberlain, Esq., Ashton Hall, Lancaster.
February 22, 1865.
Storey, Sir Thomas, Knight, Lancaster. April 7, 1873.
Strongitharm, Augustus Horace, Esq., Priorslea, Barrow-in-
Furness. January 1, 1883.
Sunderland, John William, Esq., Swarthdale, Ulverston. October
18, 1875.
Wadham, Edward, Esq., Millwood, Dalton-in-Furness. January
4, 1869.
Waithman, Joseph, Esq., Chudleigh, Devonshire. January 17,
1865.
Waithman, Robert William, Esq., Moyne Park, Ballyglunin, Co.
Galway. April 5, 1852.
Welch, Henry Edward Parker, Esq., Leek Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale.
June 27, 1887.
Welch, Henry Thomas, Esq., Leek Hall, Kirkby Lonsdale.
January 2, 1860.
Westray, Robinson, Esq., Barrow-in-Furness. February 26, 1880.
Whalley, Joseph Lawson, E.«q. (Lieut.-Colonel), 2, Queen Street,
Lancaster. May 22, 1879.
Whitle, Robert, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), Cheltenham. January 6,
1864.
Williamson, James, Esq., M.P., Uyelands, Lancaster. January
3, 1881.
Wilson, Thomas Newby, Esq., The Landing, Ulverston. Novem-
ber 23, 1874.
AMOUNDERNESS HUNDRED.
Anderton, Wilfrid Francis, Esq., Haighton Hall, Preston.
August 23, 1870.
Beaumont, Thomas Richard, Esq., Preston. January 8, 1869.
Bickerstaff, Robert, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), Swillbrook, Preston.
October 16, 1872.
Birley, Edmund, Esq., Clifton Hall, Preston. July 3, 1850.
Birley, Hutton, Esq, Kirkham. February 17, 1875.
*Birley, William, Esq., The Larches, Preston. January 5, 1859.
Booth, John Billington, E^q., Overleigh House, Preston.
October 20, 1869.
Bowdler, William Henry, Esq., The Square, Kirkham. July 30,
*Brockholes, William Joseph Fitzherbert, Esq., Claughton Hall,
Garstang. January 5th, 1876.
Chadwick, Frank, Esq., Burholme, Whitewell, Clitheroe. January
15, 1867.
Chapman, William, Esq.,Wyre Bank, Garstang. January 7, 1880.
Cooker, William Henry, Esq., Blackpool. February 17, 1875.
Coventry, His Honour Judge Millis, 1, Temple Gardens, London,
E.C. August 10, 1887.
Cunliffe, Ellis, Esq. (Major), Lytham. January 4, 1860.
Dunderdale, Robert, Esq., Poulton-le-Fylde. October 20, 1869.
Fair, Thomas, Esq., Westwood, Lytham. February 17, 1875.
*Fazaekerley-Westby, Jocelyn Tate, Esq., Mowbreck Hall, Kirk-
ham. December 1, 1862.
Fish, James, Esq., Dean Street, South Shore, Blackpool. June
8, 1886.
German, James, Esq. (Major), Vine Court, Sevenoaks, Kent.
June 28, 1853.
Hall, Henry, Esq., 8, Soarisbrick Street, Southport. May ]8,
1882.
Hammond, Joseph Hutchinson, Esq., M.D., Winckley Square
Preston. November 30, 1877. '
Handley, Richard, Esq., 9, Carlton Terrace, BlackpooL May 20,
1885.
Hermon, Sidney Albert, Esq., Newnham House, Lytham. May
20th, 1885.
Hornby, Hugh Phipps, Esq., St. Michael's, Garstang. October
19, 1881.
Irvin, David, Esq., Preston. October 20, 1869.
Jackson, Jonathan, Esq., Vale House, Garstang. February 18,
1876.
*Jacson, Charles Roger, Esq., Barton Hall, Preston October 17,
1849.
Lowndes, Edward Chaddook, Esq., Castle Combe, Chippenham,
Wilts. July 3, 1867.
Mucklow, Edward, Esq., Grange. June 28, 1869.
Oliverson, Richard, Esq., 37, Gloucester Square, Hyde Park,
London, W. January 2, 1861.
Park, William Philip, Esq., Osborne House, Fulwood, Preston.
February 17, 1875.
Pedder, Richard, Esq., Finsthwaite, Ulverston. October 13,
1866.
Pedder, Wilson, clerk. The Vicarage, Churchtown, Garstang.
January 7, 1869.
Porter, William, Esq., 12, Upper Queen's Terrace, Fleetwood.
May 20, 1885.
Satterthwaite, John, Esq., 14, Bushell Place, Preston. July 1,
1885.
Simpson, Albert, Esq., Elmhurst, Garstang. May 18, 1870.
Smith, Robert, Esq., Dilworth House, Longridge. June 30,
1886.
Stott, Samuel, Esq., Woodfield, Lytham. May 20, 1885.
Williams, Robert Hankinson, Esq., M.D., Great Eccleston,
Garstang. January 15, 1867.
BLACKBURN HUNDRED.
Aitken, Thomas, E,sq., Holmes, Bacup. October 20, 1869.
Appleby, Arthur, Esq., Enfield, Accrington. January 4, 1882.
Armitstead, James Fisher, Esq., Cobwall House, Blackburn.
May 27, 1869.
Ashton, Ralph Shorrock, Esq., Woodlands, Over Darweu. Julv
4, 1855. ^
*Aspinall, Ralph John, Esq., Standen Hall, Clitheroe. April 7,
1875.
*Af!sheton, Ralph, Esq., Downham, Clitheroe. May 18, 1854.
Barlow, James, Esq., Croft House, Accrington. August 22, 1883.
Birkbeck, John, Esq., Giggleswick, Settle. October 20, 1847.
Birtwistle, William, Esq., Great Harwood, near Accrington. May
27, 1870. •'
Bolton, Henry Hargreaves, Esq., Heightside, Newchurch-in-
Rossendale. October 26, 1885.
Briggs, Henry, Esq., M.D., Bank Parade, Burnley. February
22, 1882.
Briggs, James, Esq., NewHeld, near Blackburn. May 27, 1869.
*Brooks, Thomas, Esq., Suunyside, Rawtenstall. July 4, 1855.
Brooks, William, Esq., Sunnyside House, Rawtenstall January
2, 1884.
Butler-Bowdon, John Erdeswick, Esq. (Colonel), Pleasington
Hall, Blackburn. August 3, 1872.
Calvert, Richard, Esq., Waltou-le-Dale, Preston. January 7
1874.
*Goddington, William, Esq., M.P., Wycollar, near Blackburn.
February 25, 1867.
Dewhurst, Robert, Esq., Little Moor House, Clitheroe. April 6,
1859.
Dimmock, James, Esq., Over Darwen. July 3, 1872.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
433
Dugdale, Adam, Esq., Griffin Lodge, Blackburn. July 1, 1874.
Dugdale, James, Esq., Ivy Bank, Burnley. April 10, 1867.
Dugdale, Joseph, Esq., Claremont, Blackburn. December 1,
1884.
Dugdale, William, Esq., Symonstone Hall, Padiham. May 19,
1874.
Eccles, James, Esq., 15, Durham Villas, PhOlimore Gardens,
Kensington, London, W. June 29, 1870.
Ecclea, John, Esq., Farington House, near Preston. April 4, 1883.
Eccles, Richard, Esq., Lower Darwen, Blackburn. January 7.
1852.
Eccles, Thomas Mitchell, Esq., Crosshill, Blackburn. January
7, 1884.
Ecroyd, Edward, Esq., Edgend, Burnley. October 17, 1881.
Ecroyd, William Farrer, Esq., Spring House, near Burnley.
October 17, 1866.
Every-Halstead, Charles Edward, Esq., Rowley, near Burnley.
August 22, 1883.
*Feilden, Montague Joseph, Esq. (Major), Island of Hern, near
Guernsey, April 5, 1838.
Feilden, Handle Joseph, Esq. (General), M.P., Witton Park,
Blackburn. February 18, 1876.
Feilden, Sir William Leyland, Bart., Strada House, Scarborough,
January 5, 1859.
Fish, John, Esq., 40, Park Avenue, Southport. October 20, 1869.
Flowerdew, Richard John, Esq., Walton Hall, Preston. April 6,
1870.
Folds, James, Esq., Brunshaw, Burnley. April 10, 1867.
Fort, Richard, Esq., Read Hall, Whalley. April 7, 1880.
Gamett, James, Esq., Waddow Hall, Clitheroe. April 7, 1880.
Gamett, William, Esq., Clitheroe. February 26, 1870.
Gatty, Frederick Albert, Esq., Acorington. July 3, 1872.
Greenway, Charles, Clerk, Darwen Bank, Over Darwen.
February 19, 1868.
Greenwood, John, Esq., Tarleton House, Burnley. October 16,
1878.
Qrimshaw, John Smalley, Esq., Woodside House, Huncoat,
Acorington. August 29, 1873.
Handsley, Robert, Esq., Reedley Lodge, Burnley. October 19,
1885.
Hardman, Henry Hoyle, Esq., Homoliffe House, Rawtenstall.
April 10, 1867.
Hargreaves, John, Eaq. (Lieut. -Colonel), Broad Oak, Accrington.
April 8, 1868.
Harrison, Henry, Esq., Stanley, Blackburn. June 30, 1880.
Hartley, Henry Waddington, Esq., Fence Gate, Burnley. Octo-
ber 15 1879.
Harrison, Jonathan Atkinson, Esq., M.D., Hazlewood, Haslingden.
November 26, 1884.
Heyworth, Eli, Esq., Springfield, Blackburn. June 30, 1880.
Hindle, James, Esq., Sabden, near Whalley. February 26, 1870.
Hodges. John Fowden, Esq., Bolney Court, Henley-on-Thames.
April 5, 1838.
*Holden, Henry, Esq. (Lieut-Colonel), Reedley House, Burnley.
November 30, 1848.
•Hopwood, John Turner, Esq., Hetton HaU, Rutlandshire.
October 20, 1858. , , .„, , ^
Hornby, William Henry, Esq., M.P., Brookhouse, Blackburn.
August 22, 1879.
Howorth, John, Esq., Park View, Burnley. April 6, 1882.
Howorth, John, Esq., Woodlands, Bolton-by-Bowland, Clitheroe.
July 5, 1852. „ , ^
Huntington, Charles Philip, Esq., Astley Bank, Darwen,
January 14, 1879. „ , t^ a -i
Huntingdon, William Balle, Esq., Woodlands, Darwen. April
cyf\ n Q Q A
•Hutchinson,' Robert Hopwood, Esq., Highfield, near Blackburn,
February 25, 1867. ^ . ,;r ^ ti
Ingham, His Honour Judge Theophilus Hastings, Morton House,
Skipton. February 26, 1847. „, , ,. „ .
Irving, William, Esq., M.D., Park Gate, Blackburn. December
Jackson, Robert Raynsford, Esq. (Colonel), Ashurst, West Hill,
Sydenham, S.E. April 9, 1851. t,, , v,
Johnston, James, Esq., Alum Scar, Pleasmgton, neor Blackburn.
Kay-Shuttle'worth, Right Hon. Sir Ughtred James, Bart., M.P.,
Gawthorpe Hall, Burnley. October 20, 1869.
Kerr, James, Esq., Dunkenhalgh, Accnngton. November 3,
1886.
56
Lightfoot, John Emanuel, Esq., Quarry Hill, Accrington
January 7, 1874.
Longworth, Solomon, Esq., Whalley. April 7, 1880.
Mason, Thomas, Esq., Alkinooats, Colne. October 19, 1885,
Munn, Robert Whitaker, Esq., Heath Hill, Stacksteads, near
Manchester. August 1, 1878.
Openshaw, Frederick, Esq., Hothersall Hall, Ribchester, near
Preston. April 6, 1887.
Parker, Edward, Esq., Browsholme Hall, Clitheroe. August 29
1873.
Peel, William, Esq., Knowlmere Manor, Clitheroe. October 20,
1875.
*Pilkington, James, Esq., Blackburn. February 26, 1847.
*Petre, Henry, Esq., Dunkenhalgh, Acorington. April 6, 1859.
Potter, John Gerald, Esq., Ernsdale, Over Darwen. April 7,
1852.
Ranken, William Bayue, Esq., Hoddlesden, Over Darwen.
October 13, 1866.
Riley, John, Esq., Hapten House, Hapten, near Acorington.
August 22, 1883.
Rushton, James, Esq., Forest House, Newohurch-in-Rossendale.
June 29, 1874.
Shaw, Henry, Esq., Highfield, Blackburn. May 27, 1869.
Shaw, Thomas, Esq., The Gables, Colne. April 11, 1887.
Shorrock, Eccles, Esq., Low Hill House, Lower Darwen. July
4, 1855.
Simpson, William Walmsley, Esq., Winkley, Whalley. August
22, 1883.
Smith, George Ashworth, Esq., Westbourne, Helmshore.
November 26, 1884.
Smith, Thomas Thornber, Esq., Hill End, near Burnley. April
11, 1887.
Smith, William, Esq., Springhill, Accrington. June 30, 1886.
Snape, William, Esq., Lynwood, Darwen. February 21, 1877.
*Starkie, Le Gendre Nicholas, Esq. (Lieut. -Colonel), Huntroyd,
Padiham. October 18, 1865.
Swale, Hogarth John, Clerk, Ingfield, Settle. July 4, 1855.
Tattersall, William, Esq., Quarry Bank, Blackburn. April 7 1886.
Taylor, James, Clerk, Bamber Bridge, Preston. October 21, 1868.
Tipping, William, Esq., Brasted Park, Sevenoaks, Kent.
November 28, 1850.
Thompson, John, Esq., Beardwood Cli£fe, Blackburn. December
1, 1884.
Thompson, Richard, Esq., Bramley Meade, Whalley. February
17, 1886.
Thursby, John Ormerod Scarlett, Esq., Ormerod House, near
Burnley, August 22, 1883.
Thursby, Sir John Hardy, Bart. (Lieut.-Colonel), Ormerod
House, Burnley, and Holmhurst, Christchurch. October
19, 1853.
Thwaites, Daniel, Esq., Blackburn. May 20, 1852.
Thwaites, John, Esq., Troy, Blackburn. May 27, 1858.
Townsend, Richard, Esq., Bent Gate, near Haslingden. May 23,
1872.
Trappes, Charles James Byrnand, Esq., Nidd Lodge, Higher
Broughton, Manchester. January 15, 1867.
Trappes, Thomas Byrnand, Esq. (Major), Clayton Hall, Accring-
ton. December 1, 1862.
Tunstill, Robert, Esq., Briarfield House, near Burnley. February
24, 188L
Tunstill, William, Esq., Reedyford House, Burnley. May 24,
1869.
Walmsley, George, Esq., Paddock House, Church, Accrington,
October 18, 1854.
Warburton, John, Esq., Greenfield, Haslingden. November 26,
1884
Weld, John, Esq., Leagrim Hall, Preston. July 4, 1860.
Whittaker, John, Esq,, Lostock Hall, Preston. April 4, 1883.
Whitaker, John, Esq,, Winsley Hall, near Shrewsbury. July 4,
1855. , , , ,^
Whitaker, Thomas, Esq., Beech Lodge, Haslingden, ma Man-
chester. February 26, 1872.
Whittaker, Thomas, Esq., Prospect Hill, Walton-le-Dale,
Preston. October 21, 1868.
*Whitaker, Thomas Hordern, Esq., The Holme, Burnley
January 10, 1842.
*Worsley-Taylor, Henry Wilson, Esq., Moreton Hall, Whalley.
January 4, 1882. „ . ,, tji i v.
Wraith, Lawrence Hargreaves, Esq., Newfield, near Blackburn,
January 9, 1879.
434
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
LEYLAND HUNDRED.
Baldwin, Thomas Rigbye, Clerk, Lsyland. July 4, 1855.
Birley, Frederick Hornby, Esq., 13, Hyde Road, Ardwiok, Man-
chester. May 24, 1880.
Blundell, John, Esq., Boodle's, St. James's Street, London, S.W.
January 17, 1860.
Boulton, Alfred Ramsden, E^q., Harrock Hall, Wigan. Decem-
ber 2, 1868.
Bretherton, Norris, Esq., Moss House, Farington. June 30, 1886.
Bretherton, William, Esq., Runshaw Hall, Chorley. September
29, 1866.
Cooper, John, Esq., The Oaks, Preston. October 20, 1852.
Crosse, Thomas Richard, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), Shaw Hill,
Chorley. August 19, 1880.
Davies, Benjamin, Esq., Adlington Hall, Chorley. November 1,
1877.
De Trafford, Sigiamund Cathcart, Esq., Oroston Hall, Preston.
April 9, 1879.
*Eckersley, Nathaniel, Esq., M.P., Standish Hall, Wigan. January
2, 1850.
Fermor-Hesketh, Sir Thomas George, Baronet, Rulibrd Hall,
Ormskirk. April 9, 1873.
Goggin, James Frederick, Clerk, Ruiford. Ormskirk. October
31, 1868.
Hare, Theodore Julius, Esq., Crooke Hall, Chorley. May 23,
1878.
Jackson, Edward, Esq., Rye Bank, Wheelton, Chorley. April
6, 1885.
Marriage, David, Esq., Burgh Hall, Chorley. April 6, 1885.
Park, John, Esq., Ollerton Hall, Chorley. January 5, 1859.
Pedder, Charles Denison (Colonel), Kilbourne Hall, Derby.
August 29, 1878.
Rawcliffe, Henry, Esq., Gillibrand Hall, Chorley. October 18,
1882.
*Rawstorne, Lawrence, Esq., Hutton Hall, Preston. Nsvember
28, 1866.
Shackleton, Richard, Esq., Withnell Hall, Chorley. October 20,
1880.
Silvester, Frederick, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), North Hall, Standish,
Wigan. May 7, 1874.
, Smethurst, Augustus William, Esq., Rookwood, Chorley. Julv
1, 1857.
. Sparling, John, Clerk, Hillington Hall, Lynn, Norfolk. October
17, 1855.
Stanning, John, Esq., Broadfield, Leyland. October 15, 1884.
Stonor, Charles Joseph, Esq., Anderton Hall, Chorley. October
6, 1866.
Thom, John, Esq , Lark Hill, Chorley. May 24, 1869.
Thom, Robert Wilson, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), Birkacre, Chorley.
May 26, 1884.
*Townley-Parker, Thomas Townley, Esq., Cuerden Hall, Preston,
and Lytham. November 3, 1847.
Whitehead, James, Esq., Brindle Lodge, Preston. July 2, 1879.
Wood, Christopher William, Esq., Brinscall Hall, Chorley. April
8, 1885.
SALFORD HUNDRED.
Agnew, William, Esq., Summer Hill, Pendleton, Manchester,
and 11, Great Stanhope Street, Hyde Park, London.
August 3, 1869.
Ainsworth, Walton, Esq., Rivington, Chorley. October 15,
1883.
Ainsworth, Richard Henry, Esq., Smithills Hall, Bolton. April
10, 1867.
Aitken, Thomas, Esq., Manchester Road, Bury. April 11, 1887.
Andrew, Charles, Esq., Compatall, Stockport. May 24, 1869.
Andrew, Eli, Esq., The Ridge, Chapel-en-le-Frith, Derbyshire.
September 25, 1866.
Andrew, Frank, Esq,, 32, Chester Square, Ashton-under-Lyne.
June 8, 1886.
Andrew, George, Esq., Apsley House, Mossley, Manchester.
February 27, 1865.
Armitage, Benjamin, Esq., Chomlea, Pendleton, Manchester.
August 3, 1869.
Armitage, Benjamin, Esq., Sorrel Bank, Ecoles Old Road,
Pendleton. August 24, 1886.
Armitage, Samuel Fletcher, Esq., Peel Hall, Little Hultou.
October 20, 1884.
Armitage, Vernon Kirk, Esq., Swinton Park, Manchester. May
21, 1882.
Arrowsmith, Peter Roth well, Esq., 28, Exchange Alley, Liver-
pool. December 10, 1855.
Ashton, John Howarth, Esq. (Major), County Police Court,
Strangeways, Manchester. July 8, 1867.
Ashton, Thomas, Esq., Ford Bank, Didsbury, Manchester. May
24, 1852. ^
Ashton, Thomas Gair, Esq., 36, Charlotte Street, Manchester.
February 27, 1882.
Ashworth, Charles Egerton, Esq., Droylsden, Manchester.
January 11, 1869.
Ashworth, Edmund, Esq., Egerton Hall, Bolton. AuOTst 22
1883. ^ '
Ashworth, Edmund, Esq., Rivercourt Lodge, Upper Mall,
Hammersmith, London, W. February 3, 1869.
Ashworth, Edward, Esq., Staghills, Waterfoot, Manchester.
May 24, 1869.
Ashworth, George Binns, Esq., Birtenshaw House, Bolton.
October 26, 1874.
Barlow, Samuel, Esq., Stakehill House, Chadderton, Manchester
October 25, 1869.
*Barne3, Thomas, Esq,, Famworth, Bolton. August 27, 1849.
Barnes, Alfred, Es(r., Famworth, Manchester. December 30
1861.
Bates, Ralph, Esq., Acres Bank, Stalybridge. April 15, 1867.
Bayley, William, Esq., Stamford Lodge, Stalybridge. January
10, 1859.
Bazley, Charles Henry, Esq., West Bank, Kersal, Manchester.
July 5, 1869.
Bealey, Adam Crompton, Esq., The Manor House, Bury.
February 21, 1887.
Bealey, Richard, Esq., The Close, Radcliffe, Manchester. Feb-
ruary 25, 1856.
Becker, John Leigh, Esq., Springbank, Ashley Road, Altrinoham,
Cheshire. May 22, 1867.
Bentley, John, Esq., Haughton Hall, Denton. July 9, 1883.
Blackburue, Henry Clegg, Esq., The Acres, Middleton. October
20, 1884.
Bridgford, Robert, Esq.,C.B. (Colonel), Hilton House, Prestwich,
Manchester. August 8, 1881.
Bridson, Thomas Ridgvvay, Esq., Bolton. January 26, 1867.
Brierley, James, Esq., Westhill, Rochdale. October 22, 1866.
Brierley, John, Esq., The Clough, Whitefield, Manchester.
February 21, 1887.
Brierley, Joseph, Esq., Castleton, Rochdale. November 23,
1866.
Briggs, Arthur Lemuel, Esq., Thornleigh, Bolton. March 22,
1883.
Briggs, William, Esq., Halifax, January 11, 1841.
Bright, Jacob, Esq., M.P., Alderley Edge, Manchester. Feb-
ruary 9, 1858.
Bright, John Albert, Esq., Rose Hill, Rochdale. June 1, 1885.
Bright, Thomas, Esq., Greenbank, Rochdale. October 23, 1865.
Broadhurst, Henry Tootal, Esq., Woodhill, Prestwich, Man-
chester. January 13, 1869.
♦Brooks, Sir William Cunliflfe, Bart., M.P., Barlow Hall, Man-
chester. November 1, 1870.
Buckley, Abel, Esq., M.P., Moss Lodge, Ashton-under-Lyne.
October 23, 1865.
Buckley, James Frederick, Esq., The Nook, Greenfteid, Saddle-
worth. April 15, 1867.
*Buckley, Nathaniel, Esq., Ryecroft, Ashton-under-Lyne.
August 26, 1861.
Butterworth, Alfred, Esq., Werneth, Oldham. April 13, 1885.
Butterworth, James, Esq., Rake Bank, Rochdale. February 28,
1859.
Chadwick, John, Esq., Buile Hill, Eccles Old Road, Manchester.
October 25, 1869.
*Chadwick, John, Esq., Woodville, Reddish, Stockport. January
10, 1853.
Chadwick, James, Esq., High Bank, Prestwich, Manchester
January 11, 1869.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
435
Chapman, Edward, Esq., Hill Ead, Mottram-in-Longdendale.
April 10, 1871.
Cheetham, John Frederiok, Esq., Stalybridge. October 24, 1870.
UUeetham Joshua Milne, Esq., Singleton House, Higher
iiroughton, Manchester. May 24, 1869.
Christy, Richard, Esq., Walngate, Sussex. July 4, 1864.
Christie, Richard Copley, Esq., Qlenwood, New Egham, Staines.
October 31, 1878.
Clegg, Harry, Esq., Plas Llanfair, Llanfair P.O. Anglesey. July
7, 1884. 5 J J
Clegg, James Wild, Esq., Mumps House, Oldham. August 17,
1885.
Cooke, William Walker, Esq., Denton, near Manchester. August
7, 1877.
Cooper, John, Esq., HoUy Bank, Royton. October 6, 1887.
Coward, Edward, Esq., Heaton House, Heaton Mersey, Man
rhester. October 26, 1885.
Craven, Thomas, Esq., Merlewood, Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Man-
chester. August 24, 1886.
Crompton, Abram, Esq., High Crompton, Shaw, Oldham
January 11, 1886.
Crompton, Joshua, Esq., High Crompton, Oldham. January 11,
1869. ^ ■
Cross, Edward, Esq., Bradford House, Great Lever, Bolton
April 9, 1883.
Cross, Herbert Shepherd, Esq., M.P., Mortfield, Bolton. Octo
ber 26, 1874.
Crossley, Daniel Jones, Esq., Fallingroyd, Hebden Bridge. June
1, 1885.
Crowther, Frank Gemmill, Esq., Beaumonds, Rochdale. August
28, 1882.
Darbishire, George Stanley, Esq., Wyndham Club, London.
August 8, 1881.
Dearden, James Griffith, Esq., Rochdale Manor, Rochdale.
October 22, 1866.
Dickins, Albert Lungley, Esq., Park Lane, Higher Broughton,
Manchester. October 13, 1884.
Dickins, Thomas, Esq., Edgemoor House, Higher Broughton,
Manchester. July 5, 1858.
*Egerton, Hon. Algernon Fulke, M.P., Worsley Old Hall, Man-
chester. January 24, 1861.
EUesmere, The Right Hon. the Earl of, Worsley, Manchester.
October 23, 1871.
Fair, Jacob Wilson, Esq., Haighlands, Wigan. October 15, 1884.
*Fairbairn, Sir Thomas, Bart., Brambridge House, Winchester.
May 23, 1853.
Fenton, James, Esq., Hazlehurst, Bamford, Rochdale. April
15, 1867.
Fenton, Joseph, Esq., Bashall Lodge, Clitheroe. Jan. 3, 1853.
*Fenton, William, Esq., Churchdale, Ashford, Bakewell, Derby-
shire. February 28, 1848.
Fieldeu, John, Esq., Dobroyd, Todmorden. February 27, 1865.
Fielden, Samuel, Esq., Centre Vale, Todmorden. January 7,
1878.
Flattely, Daniel Irvine, Esq., Newton Villa, Longsight, Man-
chester. February 26, 1880.
Fowler, Robinson, Esq., Manchester. August 28, 1865.
Galloway, John, Esq., junior, The Cottage, Old Trafford, Man-
chester. November 26, 1884.
Garnett, Jeremiah, Esq., The Grange, near Bolton. April 5, 1886.
Gamett, Stewart, Esq., Pendleton, Manchester. October 6, 1887.
*Gray, William, Esq. (Colonel), Farley Hall, Reading. December
10, 1855.
Greaves, Hilton, Esq., Derker Hall, Oldham. August 18, 1876.
Greenwood, John, Esq., Glen View, Todmorden. May 23, 1887.
Greg, Arthur, Esq., Eagley, near Bolton. February 26, 1880.
Hadwen, Joseph, Esq., Fairfield, Manchester. April 11, 1870.
.*Hardcastle, Edward, Esq., M.P., Headlands, Prestwioh, Man-
chester. April 13, 1874.
Hardcastle, Thomas, Esq., Bradshaw Hall, Bolton-le-Moors.
July 6, 1885.
Hargreaves, John, Esq., Greensnook House, Bacup. October
21, 1885.
Hargreaves, William, Esq., Moss Bank, Bolton. April 10, 1867.
Harrison, Thomas, Esq., West Hill, Stalybridge. January 10,
1853.
Barter, James Collier, Esq., Manchester. May 23, 1859.
Hartley, William, Esq., Simpson Hill House, Heywood. April
8, 1878.
Hartley, William, Esq., The Orchard, Heywood. May 22, 1882.
Harvey, James, Esq., The Whinns, Alderley Edge, Manchester.
May 24, 1869.
Heap, James, Esq., Cliffe House, New Hey, Rochdale. August
27, 1872. ^
Heape, Benjamin, Esq., Northwood, Prestwich, near Manchester.
July 7, 1879.
Heape, Robert Taylor, Esq., Highfield, Rochdale. August 7,
1858.
Hegmbottom, Thomas, Esq., Stamford House, Ashton-under-
Lyne. August 28, 1882.
Henderson, Charles Paton, Esq., junior. County Police Court,
Strangeways, Manchester. October 17, 1881.
Herford, Edward, Esq., Westbank, near Macclesfield. May 30,
1870.
Heron, Sir Joseph, Knight, Rookswood, Broughton Park,
Manchester. May 26, 1873.
Heywood; Arthur Henry, Esq., EUeray, Windermere. Decem-
ber 3, 1860.
Heywood, Edward Stanley, Esq., Light Oaks, Manchester.
April 13, 1874.
Heywood, Harvey, Esq., Spring Vale, Middleton. October 13,
1884.
*Heywood, James, Esq., 26, Kensington Palace Gardens, London,
W. October 22, 1838.
*Heywood, OHver, Esq., Claremont, Pendleton, Manchester. July
^ 7, 1861.
*Hibbert, Right Hon. John Tomlinson, Hampsfield, Grange-over-
Sands. July 9, 1855.
*Hick, John, Esq., Mytton Hall, Whalley. June 30, 1858.
Higgin, William Housman, Esq., Q.C., Winter's Buildings, 32,
St. Ann Street, Manchester. August 23, 1869.
Hinchcliffe, George, Esq., Stoodley Lodge, Todmorden. July
14, 1864.
Hinmers, William, Esq., Lancaster Road, Eccles, Manchester.
January 9, 1865.
Holt, James Maden, Esq., Balham House, Balham Hill, London,
S.W. April 5, 1858.
Houldswortli, Sir William Henry, Bart., M.P., Norbury Booths
Hall, Knutsfurd. February 24, 1884.
Hoyle, Edward, Esq., Moorlands, Bacup. April 8, 1867.
*Hulton, William Wilbraham Blethyn, Esq., Hulton Park, Bolton.
October 15, 1873.
Hurst, Richard, Esq., Springhill, Rochdale. October 24, 1864.
*Hutchinson, John, Esq. (Lieut-Colonel), Bury. August 25, 1858.
Hutton, His Hunour Judge Crompton, County Court Office,
Bolton. April 5, 1875.
Hutton, James Frederick, Esq., Victoria Park, Manchester.
August 23, 1880.
Ingham, John Arthur, Esq., The Shaw, Todmorden. October
23, 1882.
Isherwood, Thomas, Esq., Springfield House, Heywood. January
2, 1884.
Jordan, His Honour Judge Thomas Hudson, Prestwich Park,
Prestwich, Manchester. November 28th, 1883.
Joule, Benjamin St. John Baptist, Esq., Wardle Road, Sale,
Cheshire. October 22, 1866.
Kay, Edward Greenwood, Esq., Mill House, Whitworth, Roch-
dale. October 23, 1865.
Kay, Richard, Esq., Chamber House, Heywood. February 27,
1865.
Kearsley, Edward Sanderson, Esq. (Major), No. 6, Pembroke
Villas, Richmond Green, Surrey, S.W. February 19, 1868.
Kennedy, John Lawson, Esq., Ardwick House, Manchester. July
3, 1854.
Kenworthy, Benjamin Mellor Esq., Ashton-under-Lyne. July
4, 1864.
Kenyon, James, Esq., Walshaw Hall, near Bury. November 17,
1877.
Kershaw, James, Esq., Delamere Place, Ashton-under-Lyne.
February 2, 1867.
Knowles, Andrew, Esq., Swinton Old Hall, Pendlebury, Man-
chester. December 1, 1884.
Knowles, John, Esq., West wood, Pendlebury, Manchester.
August 29, 1882.
Knowles, Samuel, Esq., Stormer Hill, Tottingtou, near Bury.
July 5, 1875.
Lancashire, Josiah Henry, Esq., Deeplish Hill, Rochdale. June
1, 1885.
Lancashire, Oswald Philip, Esq., Butts House, Leigh, Manchester.
May 18, 1887.
436
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
Law, Alfred, Esq., Eonreateld, Littleborough. June 1, 1885.
Leach, Abraham, Eaq., Waterhead, Oldham. October 25, 1869.
Leake, Robert, Esq., M.P., The Dales, Whitefield, Bury, and 34,
Hill Street, Berkeley Square, Londou, W. February 28, 1881.
Lee, Henry, Esq., Sedgley Park, Manchester. May 24, 1869.
Lees, Edward Brown, Esq., Kelbarrow, Grasmere, Westmorland.
April 15, 1867.
Lees, EU, Esq., M.P., Werneth Park, Oldham. July 5, 1869.
Lees, John Arthur, Esq., Alkrington Mount, Middleton. October
15, 1884.
Lees, Joseph, Esq., Werneth Grange, Oldham. October 6, 1887.
Lees, Joseph Crompton, Esq., Clarkesfield, Lees, Oldham.
August 17, 1885.
Leigh, Henry, Esq., Moorfield, Swinton, Manchester. April 13,
1874.
Leresche, John Henry Proctor, Esq., 60, King Street, Manchester.
January 11, 1886.
Littlewood, John Stothert, Esq., Healey Hall, Rochdale. July
8, 1878.
Lord, George, Esq., Heathlands, Prestwich, Manchester. Octo-
ber 24, 1881.
*Loyd, Edward, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), Lillesdeu, near Hawkhurst,
Kent. April 20, 1841.
*Maclure, John William, Esq., M.P., The Home, Whalley Range,
Manchester. January 11, 1864.
Maden, Henry, Esq., Rockcliffe House, Bacup. May 24, 1869.
Mantel], Sir John lies. Knight, Manchester. October 25, 1869.
Mart, Joseph Foveaux, Esq., Crescent, Salford, Manchester.
October 29, 1867.
Mason, Rupert, Esq., Audeashaw Hall, Fairfield, Manchester.
June 28, 1886.
Mayall, John, Esq., Rook Bank, Mossley, Ashton-under-Lyne.
February 20, 1884.
Mayson, John Schofield, Esq., Hawthorn Lea, Langham Road,
Bowdon, Cheshire. July 4, 1864.
Mellor, George, Esq., Holly Bank, Ashton-under-Lyne. May
31, 1858.
Mellor, John Edward, Esq., Mottram Road, Stalybridge.
• August 16, 1886.
Mellor, John James, Esq., The Woodlands, Whitefield, Man-
chester. April 10, 1867.
Mellor, Jonathan, Esq., Polefleld, Prestwich, Manchester. July
4, 1859.
Mellor, Robert, Esq., Higher House, Royton, near Oldham.
August 17, 1885.
Mellor, Thomas, Esq., Firs Hall, Failsworth. October 25, 1881.
Mellor, Thomas Walton, Esq, Ashton-under-Lyne. March 2,
1863.
MichoUs, Edward, Esq., The Limes, Victoria Park, Manchester.
October 26, 1885.
Milne, Alfred, Esq., Manchester. July 15, 1862.
Milne-Redhead, Richard, Esq., Springfield, Seedley, Manchester.
September 15, 1866.
Molesworth, George Mill Frederick, Esq., Town House, Roch-
dale. October 24, 1853.
Mosley, Joseph, Esq., Cringle Hall, Levenshulme, Manchester.
October 26, 1885.
Neild, Jonathan, Esq., Dunster, Rochdale. January 10, 1859.
Openshaw, John Hamilton, Esq., Stand House, Whitefield, Man-
chester. February 21, 1887,
Ormerod, Abraham, Esq., Ridgefoot House, Todmorden. July
7, 1856. •'
Ormerod, James, Esq., Halliwell Lodge, Bolton. July 25, 1875.
Ormrod, James Cross, Esq., East Bank, Halliwell, Bolton.
March 22, 1883.
Peacock, Richard, Esq., M.P., Gorton Hall, Manchester. October
22, 1866.
*Pender, John, Esq., Arlington Street, London, W. April 13,
1863. 1 f >
Petrie, James, Esq., Rylands, Birkdale, Southport. February 3,
1869. ■'
*PhiIips, Robert Needham, Esq., The Park, Manchester. April
20, 1841. ^
Pilkington, Edward, Esq., Clifton House, CUfton, Manchester.
October 22, 1883.
*Platt, Samuel RadcUffe, Esq., Werneth Park, Oldham. January
16, 1873.
Pochin, Henry Davie?, Esq., Barn Elms, Barnes, Surrey, S W.
April 11, 1870.
Porritt, James, Esq., Stubbins Vale House, Ramsbotfcom, near
Manchester. November 17, 1877.
*Potter, Thomaa Bayley, Esq., M.P., 31, Courtfield Gardens,
South Kensington, London, S.W. July 7, 1851.
*Radcli£fe, Joshua, Esq., Balderstone Hall, Rochdale. October
17, 1866.
*RadcUffe, Joshua Walmsley, Esq., Werneth Park, Oldham.
January 16, 1883.
Reyner, Arthur Edward, Esq., Thornfield Hall, Ashton-under-
Lyne. April 11, 1881.
Reyner, Joseph Buckley, Esq., Thornfield Hall, Ashton-under-
Lyne. May 24, 1869.
Riley, John, Esq., Oldham. November 26, 1863.
Robinson, James Salkeld, Esq., Roach Bank, Rochdale. August
28, 1882.
Ross, Colin George, Esq., Swinton Park, Manchester. November
26, 1884.
Roth well, Richard Raiushaw, Esq., Sharpies Hall, Bolton.
February 2, 1867.
Rowland, John, Esq., Thorncliffe, Royton, Oldham. April 15
1867.
*Rowley, Alexander Butler, Esq., Hurst, Ashton-under-Lyne.
May 28, 1866.
Rowley, Walter Thomas, Esq., The Grange, Hurst, Ashton-under-
Lyne. April 11, 1881.
*Royds, Albert Hudson, Esq., Falinge Lawn, Rochdale. January
3, 1853.
*Royds, Clement Molyneux, Esq., Greenhill, Rochdale. Septem-
ber 29, 1866.
Royds, Edmund Albert Nuttall, Esq., Brownhill, Rochdale.
November 28, 1873.
Royle, Peter, Esq., M.D., Vernon Lodge, Brooklands, Manchester.
July 4, 1864.
Rushton, Thomas Henry, Esq., Halliwell Hall, Bolton. April
20, 1886.
Russell, His Honour Judge John Archibald, Q.C., 2, Harcourt
Buildings, Temple, London. November 11, 1870.
Rylands, John, Esq., Longford Hall, Strettord, Manchester.
May 24, 1869.
Schofield, Christopher James, Esq., Whalley Villa, Whalley
Range, Manchester. January, 8, 1883.
Scholfield, James Henry, Esq., North View, Whitworth, Roch-
dale. February 27, 1882.
Schwabe, Frederick Sails, Esq., Rhodes House, Middleton,
Manchester. December 6, 1880.
Seville, Thomas, Esq., Blythe House, Southport. October 25,
1869.
Sidebottom, Alfred Kershaw, Esq., Whitegates, Mottram,
Cheshire. October 22, 1866.
Slater, William, Esq., Holmes, Sharpies, Bolton. June 1, 1885.
Smith, David, Esq., Birch View, Brighton Grove, Rusholme,
Manchester. April 15, 1878.
Smith, Fereday, Esq., Bridgewater Offices, Manchester. July
5, 1858.
Smithson, Thomas, Esq., Faoit, Rochdale. February 27, 1882.
Summers, James Wooley, Esq., Thomson Cross, Stalybridge.
August 25, 1884.
Sutoliffe, Gamaliel, Esq., Stoneshay Gate, Heptonstall. May 23,
1887.
Sutoliffe, James Smith, Esq., Beach House, Bacup. January i,
1869.
Sutc.iffe, John Crossley, Esq., Lee, Hebdeu Bridge. May 27,
1850.
Sutoliffe, Thomas, Clerk, 24, York Road, Birkdale, Southport.
July 4, 1864.
Sykes, Edmund Howard, Esq., Edgeley, Stockport. April 15,
1867.
Taylor, Herbert Coupland, Esq., Todmorden Hall, Todmorden.
June 1, 1885.
Taylor, John, Esq., Brookdale, Newton Heath, Manchester.
October 22, 1866.
Topp, Alfred, Esq., Farnworth, Bolton. July 6, 1870.
Tweedale, John, Esq., Beightons, Rochdale. October 23, 1865.
Tweedale, Robert Leach, Esq., Beightons, Rochdale. October
23, 1865.
Underdown, Robert George, Esq., Northleigh, Seymour Grove,
Old Trafford, Manchester. November 26, 1884.
Walker, Charles, Esq., 17, The Grove, Boltons, South Kensington,
London, S.W. May 22, 1882.
Walker, John Soholes, Esq., Limefield, Bury. January 10,
1876.
*Walker, Oliver Ormerod, Esq., Chesham, Bury, Lancashire.
April 8, 1863.
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
437
Walker, Richard, Esq., Belle Vue, Bury, Lancashire. October Whitworth, Benjamin, Esq., Manchester. May 22, 1862.
22, 1877. Willans, Thomas Benjamin, Esq., Rochdale. August 19, 1872.
Walker, William Ormerod, Esq., Summerfield, Bury, Lancashire. Wilson, Sir Matthew, Bart., Eshton Hall, Skipton. July 16,
April 7, 1875.
Walmsley, Edward, Esq., Heaton Norris, Stockport. July 8,
1861.
Wardley, James, Esq., 69, Nelson Street, Oxford Road, Man-
chester. May 27, 1869.
Watkin, Sir Edward William, Bart., M.P., Rosehill, Northenden,
Manchester. October 24, 1864.
West, Henry Wyndham, Esq., Q.O., Temple, London, E.G.
January 9, 1871.
Whitaker, Charles, Esq., Royelands, Rochdale. June 1, 1885.
Whitehead, Francis Frederick, Esq., Beech Hill, Saddleworth.
April 15, 1867.
Whitehead, Henry, Esq., Haslam Hey, Elton, Bury. February
21, 1887.
Whitehead, John, Esq., Penwortham Priory, Preston. April 7,
1875.
Whitehead, John Blakey, Esq., Rawtenstall, Manchester. April
8, 1863.
1827.
Withington, George Richard, Esq. (Gaptain), Pyrland Hall,
Taunton. August 25, 1858.
Wood, John, E-iq., Arden, Stockport. September 15, 1866.
Wood, George William Rayner, Esq., Singleton Lodge, Man-
chester. April 8, 1878.
Wood, Richard, Esq., Plumpton, Hevwood, Manchester. April
8, 1878.
Wood, Thomas Broadbent, Esq., Middleton, Manchester.
February 22, 1869.
Worrall, James, Esq,, Whalley Range, Manchester. April 11,
1864.
Worrall, James, Esq., junior. Woodlands, Whalley Range, Man-
chester. October 19, 1885.
Worrall, Joseph Hardman, Esq., 8, Rochdale Road, Bacup.
August 1, 1878.
Wright, Edward Abbott, Esq., Castle Park, Frodsham, Cheshire.
July 5, 1852.
Whitehead, Thomas Hoyle, Esq., Holly Mount, Rawtenstall. Wrigley, Edward Wright, Esq., Thorneycroft,Werneth, Oldham.
August 1, 1878. August 17, 1885.
Whittaker, John, Esq., Mount Sion House, Radcliffe, near Man- Wrigley, Edwin Grundy, Esq., Howick House, Preston. October
cheater. November 1, 1881. 22, 1872.
Whittaker, Robert, Esq., Birch House, Lees, Oldham. June 3, Wrigley, Frederick, Esq., Broadoaks, Bury. February 21, 1887.
1879. Wrigley, James, Esq., Holbecis, Windermere. October 18, 1869.
Whittam, William Barton, Esq., Birch House, Farnworth. Wrigley Oswald Osmond, Esq., Bridge Hall, Bury. May 22,
AprL 15, 1867. 1882.
WEST DERBY HUNDRED.
Armitage, Ziba, Esq., Heathfield, GrappenhaU, near Warrington.
January 16, 1883.
Barrett, William Scott, Esq., 41, Oldhall Street, Liverpool.
August 25, 1884.
Barron, George Bretherton, Esq., M.D., Summerseat, Southport.
September 3, 1877.
Barry, Charles, Esq., Highfield, Lathom, Ormskirk. January 4,
1886.
*Bates, Sir Edward, Bart., Bellfield, West Derby, Liverpool ; and
Gyrn Castle, Flintshire. October 30, 1866.
Bidwill, Peter Silvester, Esq. (Lieut-Colonel), Bella Vista,
Sandy Cove, Kingstown. May 18, 1870.
Bmgham, John, Esq., Elmhurst, Wavertree, near Liverpool.
April 22, 1884.
Blackburne, John Ireland, Esq. (Colonel), Hale, Warrmgton.
April 17, 1860.
Bleckly, Henry, Esq., Westwood, Altrincham. April 8, 1867.
Blinkhom, WilUam, Esq., Sutton Grange, St. Helens. April 18,
1876.
*BlundeU, Nicholas] Esq. (Colonel), Crosby Hall, Liverpool.
April 17, 1855. _ ,^ , , ^ . ,
Bouth, Frederick William Delamere, Esq., Woodfield, Leigh,
Manchester. November 29, 1873.
Brancker, William Hill, Esq., Bispham Hall, Wigau. December
3,1849. , r- 1
Bright, Heywood, Esq., Sandheys, West Derby, Liverpool.
January 17, 1882.
Brock, John, Esq., Wellfield, Farnworth, Widnes. April 19,
Chamberlain, George, Esq., Helensholme, Birkdale, Southport.
April 20, 1870.
♦Chambers, John Hickinbotham, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), Cobham,
Surrey. May 27, 1858.
ColUer, His Honour Judge John Francis, Liverpool. July 14,
1874.
Comber, Thomas, Esq., 13, Exchange Buildings, Liverpool.
April 4, 1877.
Crawford and Baloarres, the Right Hon. the Earl of, Haigh Hall,
Wigan. February 22, 1871.
Crosfield, John, Eiq., Walton Lea, near Warrington. Octiber
28,1884. ^ ., ^„
Daglish, Robert Shaw, Esq., Orrell Lodge, Wigan. April 19,
1887. , ^ ,
Deacon, Henry Wade, Esq., Appleton House, Widnes. March 1,
1887.
Dent, William Dent, Esq,, Oxford Road, Bootle. January 14,
1879.
*Derby, Right Hon, the Earl of, K.G., Knowsley, Prescot.
November 1, 1854.
Earle, Arthur, Esq,, Child wall Lodge, Wavertree, Liverpool.
February 23, 1882. .
Earle, Frederick William, Esq., Edenhurst, Huyton, Liverpool.
July 13, 1858.
*Earle, Sir Thomas, Bart,, AUerton Tower, Woolton, Liverpool.
April 17, 1887. ^. , ,, ,
Eocles, Alexander, Esq., Oakliill, Roby, near Liverpool. March
2, 1886.
Eckersley, Charles, Esq., Fullwell, Tyldesley. J"^'? 3, 1882.
Bro^k^^ank, Ralph, Esq., OhUdwall Hall, Liverpool. November Eckersley. ^^ > ^^^t S^^^^^^^^^^^^^ ^''
*Brocklebank, Sir Thomas, Bart., Springwood, Allerton, Liver- .^ J8^8|. j^^^^_ j^;^^ Edward, Esq., 17, RSland Gardens, Queen's
Broc^anf ai!tq The HoUies, Woolton, near Liver- ,,„f-^^»%^\^;^f,%^^^^^^ Liverpool.
pool. August iO, loot, y A 1 oen
Bromilow, David,^Esq., Brtteswell Hall, Lutterworth, Leicester ^^^'^''^^^jj'^lltj, Esq., Avenue House, Leigh, Lancashire.
^''^^^^S^'^^^is^'^'-'""''''' Evai^lIe^W Haydock Grange, near St. Helens,
"•^^tua're-'^ivi'p^ ^0?tobef 18,^:'°" ''''''' "''"'''' EvanrwZlUTEs,. Fa.ackerley House. Prescot. January
Burrowsj^ Abraham,^ Esq.. Green Hall, Atherton, Manchester. ^^^^15, 18W.^^ ^^^^ ^^^^^^^ ^^^^^^^_ Maidenoombe, Torquay.
Burton? Edward, Esq., Eaves Hall, near Clitheroe. AprU 15. ^^^J^^^^^^f^^^,^ Esq., Moss Lane, Aintree. July 14,1863.
Burtif Frederick, Esq., Hopefield, Pendleton, Manchester. «on,^„f ,^1882^^^^^^^^^ "^'■' ''"'^'°"'
Castellahi, Alfred, Esq., Aigburth, Liverpool. April 23. 1867.
Fletcher, Alfred. Esq., Allerton, Liverpool. January.20, 1874.
438
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
Fletcher, Ralph, Esq., Atherton, Manchester. January 1, 1879.
Formby, Richard, junior, Esq., Shorrock's Hill, Formby Point,
Liverpool. February 21, 1878.
Forwood, Sir Williaai Bower, Knight, Ramleh, Blundell Sands,
Liverpool. January 17. 1882.
Gair, Henry Wainwright, Esq., Smithdown Road, Wavertree,
Liverpool. February 17, 1886.
Gamble, Divid, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), St. Helens. July 11, 1865.
Gamble, Josias Christopher Esq., Cowley Hill, St. Helens.
February 22, 1882.
*Gaskell, Henry Lomax, Esq., Kidderton Hall, Woodstock, Oxon.
October 30, 1849.
Gaskell, Holbrook, Esq., Woolton Wood, Liverpool. January
6, 1851.
Gaskell, Holbrook, junior, Esq., Clayton Lodge, Aigburth,
Liverpool. April 19, 1881.
Gaskell, Josiah, Esq., Burgrave Lodge, Ashton-iu-Makerfield.
October 22, 1883.
*Gibbon, Edward, Esq., Gateacre, Liverpool. October 28, 1856.
Gibson, William, Esq., Greenbank House, Birkdale, Southport.
April 6, 1887.
Gillespie, Thomas John, Esq., Park House, Newton-le-Willows,
December 5, 1881.
Gilmour, Hamilton, Boswell, Esq., Uunderlea, Aigburth, Liver-
pool. July 11, 1865.
Gladstone, Arthur Robertson, Esq., Court Hey, Broad Green,
Liverpool. October 31, 1871.
Gooch, William Frederick, Esq., Mount ViUa, Wargrave, Newton-
le-Willows. January 20, 1885.
Goasage, Frederick Herbert, Esq., Camphill, Woolton, Liverpool.
October 29, 1878.
Graves, William Samuel, Esq., Dowsefield, Woolton, Liverpool.
November 2, 1886.
Greenall, Edward, Esq., Grappenhall, Warrington. August 25,
1858.
Greenall, Sir Gilbert, Bart., M.P., Walton Hall, Warrington.
January 12, 1843.
Greenall, James Fenton, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), Grappenhall
Lodge, Warrington. April 23, 1867.
Guest, Richard, Esq., Etherstone Hall, Leigh, Manchester.
April 6, 1859.
Gunning, Sir George William, Bart., Horton House, North-
ampton. April 8, 1856.
Gun.ston, Thomas Bernard, Esq., Halshead House, Prescot.
April 20, 1869.
Hamilton, Charles Edward, E.sq. (Lieut.-Colonel), Newton-le-
Willows. January 5, 1876.
Hartley, Joseph, Esq., Leigh, Lancashire. February 27, 1882.
Hayes, Thomas Travers, Esq., Fairfield, Leitrh, Lancashire.
April 7, 1884.
Heald, William Norris, Esq., Parr's Wood, Didsbury, Manchester.
September 15, 1866.
Hewlett, Alfred, Esq., The Grange, Wigan. August 17, 1874.
Hewlett, William Henry, Esq., Strickland House, Standish,
Wigan. April 19, 1887.
*Holt, Robert Durniug, Esq., Sefton Park, Liverpool. July 1 2,
1870.
Holt, William Durning, Esq., Whin Moor, Sandfield Park,
Liverpool April 21, 1863.
*Hornby, Thomas Dyson, Esq., Olive Mount, Wavertree, Liver-
pool. April 5, 1865.
Hornby, William Windham, Esq. (Rear-Admiral), 6, Roland
Houses, South Kensington, London, W. November 2, 1858.
•Horsfall, George Henry, Esq., Liverpool. July 13, 1858.
Houghton, Robert, Esq., Lowton House, Lowton, Newton-le-
Willows. January 7, 1874.
Ismay, Thomas Henry, Esq., Beach Lawn, Waterloo. Liverpool
April 23, 1878. '
Jary, Robert Herbert Heath, Esq. (Major), Bitteswell Hall,
Lutterworth, Leicestershire. September 15, 1866.
Johnson-Ferguson, Jabez Edward, Esq., Kenyon Hall, near Man-
chester. January 16, 1883.
Johnson, John, Es'|., Bank House, Runcorn. October 31, 1854.
Kellett, WiUiam, Esq., Portland Bank, Southport. April 19,
1887.
Kershaw, John Atherton, clerk, Ormskirk. May 18, 1848.
Laird, William, Esq., 23, Castle Street, Liverpool.' November
2, 1858.
Lamb, William James, Esq., Eskdale, Birkdale. November 1,
1877. ,
*Langton, Charles, Esq., Barkhill, Aigburth, Liverpool. July 13,
1869.
Lathom, Right Hon. the Earl of, Lathom House, Ormskirk.
October 29, 1861.
Lee, Thomas, Esq., Alder House, Atherton. October 13, 1873.
Leigh, Roger, Esq., Barham Court, Maidstone. February 17,
1869.
Lightbound, Thomas, Esq., Rosehill, Lydiate, Ormskirk. April
19, 1870.
Lindsay, Honourable Colin, Haigh Hall, Wigan. January 3,
1884.
Longton, Edward John, Esq., M.D., The Priory, Southport.
October 18, 1886.
Macrea, George Gordon, Esq., The Uplands, West Derby,
Liverpool. August 19, 1875.
Marsh, John, Esq., Kann Lea, Rainhill. Jun^ 29, 1870.
Marshall, Thomas, Esq., The Larches, Wigan. April 19, 1870.
Marson, James, Esq., Hill Cliffe, Appleton, near Warrington.
January 16, 1883.
Mayhew, Horace, Esq., Bank House, Wigan. January 10, 1876.
McCorquodale, Alexander Cowan, Esq., The Willows, Newton-le-
Willows. December 4, 1882.
*McCorquodaIe, George, Esq. (Colonel), Newton-le-Willows.
February 29, 1859.
McMicking, Gilbert, Esq., 55, Prince's Gate, London, S.W.
April 19, 1870.
Mercer, John, Esq., Alston Hall, Preston. May 27, 1869.
Morris, John Grant, Esq., AUerton Priory, Liverpool. July 12,
1859.
Moss, Gilbert Winter, Esq., The Beach, Aigburth, Liverpool.
April 19, 1859.
Musgrove, Edgar, Esq., 67, York Road, Birkdale, Southport.
January 19, 1864.
Muspratt, Edmund Knowles, Esq., Seaforth Hall, Liverpool.
October 20, 1880.
Nicholson, Richard, Esq., Whinfield, Southport January 9,
1879.
Parker, Samuel Sandbich, Esq., The Cottage, Aigburth, Liver-
pool. January 20, 1885.
Pennington, Richard, Esq., junior, Muncaster Hall, Raiuford,
St. Helens. July 1, 1867.
Perkins, Hugh, Esq., Fulwood Park, Liverpool. January 20,
1880.
Pickford, Henry Davis, Esq., Harrock Hill, near Ormskirk.
August 23, 1887.
Pilkington, Charles, Esq., The Grove, Huyton, Liverpool.
December 4, 1882.
Pilkington, George, Esq., Stoneleigh, Woolton, near Liverpool.
October 16, 1878.
Pilkington, George Augustus, Esq., M.D., Belle Vue, Lord Street
West, Southport. October 25, 1886.
Pilkington, Richard, Esq., Rainford Hall, St. Helens. April 18,
1876.
Pilkington, Thomas, Esq., Knowsley Cottage, Prescot. October
21, 1868.
Pilkington, WilUam, Esq., Roby Hall, Liverpool. April 19,
1859.
Pilkington, William Windle, Esq. (Major), Cowley Hill, St.
Helens, April 20, 1869.
Pownall, John, Esq., Tyn-y-Bryn, Bettws-y-Coed, North Wales.
February 18, 1874.
Powys, Honourable Leopold William Henry, Bewsey Old Hall,
Warrington. April 21, 1868.
*Prescott, John Esq., Dalton, near Wigan. October 31, 1860.
Raffles, Thomas Stamford, Esq., Liverpool. July 17, 1860.
*Rathbone, WilUam, Esq., M.P., Greenbank, Liverpool. July
14, 1868.
Rigby, Samuel, Esq., Fern Bank, Liverpool Road, Chester.
July 13, 1869.
Rylands, John, Esq., Thelwall Grange, near Warrington.
August 5, 1861.
*Sandbach, William Robertson, Esq., 10, Prince's Gate, Hyde
Park, London, S.W. July 17, 1855.
Smethurst, Arthur Clough, Esq., Charnock House, Chorley.
October 20, 1869.
Smith, James Barkeley, Esq., Barkeley House, Seaforth, Liver-
pool. April 23, 1878.
Stanton, Henry, Esq., Warrington, January 12, 1843.
Steble, Richard Fell, Esq. (Lieut.-Colonel), Ramsdale Bank,
Scarborough. Ootober.lS, 1873.
, THE HISTORY OH LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX. 439
St. George, Howard, clerk, BiUinge Parsonage, Wigan. May 27, Walmesley, Humphrey Jeffrey, Esq., Westwood House, Wigau.
„ V ?, •„ July 27, 1878.
^l^vf' «'"°''' ,S-' ^*':^''^" ^^"^Se. Warrington. April 23, 1857. Wannop, William, olerk, Burscough, Ormskirk. April, 5,
Swire, Samuel, Esq., Crown House, Southport. September 3, 1858. '^ ' '
•Sullivan, Sir Edward, Bart., Ravenhead, St. Helens. November ^^'t'.T^'M^^Sfst '^""'^°°' ''°""' ^"^''*°°'
Sym6nds,ckarles Price, Esq., Ormskirk. October 30, 1866. ' '^^'jAuaTy"9T87f ''• ^''°'°"''^' ^'^ ^"°^'' '""*'^°'"*-
''"''^^10 f?^^"' ^^■' ^«°^<=o™b P^''l^> Cirencester. December Wetherall, George Nugent Boss, Esq.; Astley Hall, Manchester.
m ,',;?,.■, ^ December 6, 1886.
rlltl' T^Zt v"^-' ^^°°f ^l-J. ^^'S\°- Jf°"^7 10, 1876. Whitley, William, Esq., 5, New Square, Lincoln's Inn, London,
iaylor, Ihomas, Esq., Aston Rowant, Tetsworth. January September 15, 1866.
Ti,.^i!L^^*w -v i -c- o<! -D . c, . WiMis, Henry Rodolph DeAnyers, Esq., Halsnead, Prescot.
Thompson, Henry Yates, Esq., 26a, Bryanston Square, London, October 31, 1871 ■» > hj >
W. October 30, 1866. Withington, Thomas Ellames, Esq. (Captain), Culcheth Hall,
•Thompson, Samuel Henry, Esq., Thmgwall Hall, Liverpool. Warrington. July 30, 1857. ^ ^ ^ "
June 13, 1848. ^ , „, ^ ^, Wood, John Coates, Esq., Beaoonsfield, Derby Street, OrmsMrk.
Thompson, His Honour Judge Thomas Perronet Edward, Dudlow January 19 1886
_. Grange Wavertree, Liverpool July 14, 1874. Wood, Robert Philip,' Esq., Bank House, MaghuU, Liverpool.
Timmis, Thomas Sutton, Esq., Cleveley, AUerton, Liverpool. June 29, 1870. > a , r
January 20, 1885. Woodcock, Henry, Esq., Bolnore, Haywards Heath, Sussex.
I'lnsley, James, Esq, Stockton Lodge, near Warrington. April April 5, 186.S.
22 1884. . „„ ^. , Woodcock, Herbert Spencer, Esq., The Elms, Wigan. August
Tobin, James Aspinall, Esq., Liverpool. July 13, 1858. 17, 1874.
Tomlinson, Ralph, Esq., Cintra,Lathom, Ormskirk. April 6, 1881. Wright, Caleb, Esq., M.P., Lower Oak, Tyldesley, Manchester.
Trimble, Robert, Esq. (Lieut-Colonel), Cuckoo Lane, Little April 20, 1869.
Wooltoo, Liverpool. July 13, 1869. Wright, William, Esq., Sunnyside, Balcombe, near Hayward's
Twyford, Edward Penrose, Esq., M.D., St. Helens, Lancashire. Heath, Sussex. July 5, 1857.
April 19, 1870. Wrigley, John, Esq., Brockholme, Formby. April 7, 1884.
Walker, Robert Seddon, Esq., 16, ParkEeld Road, Prince's Young, Edward, Esq., Lyons, East CUff, Bournemouth.
Park, Liverpool, February 19, 1868. February, 19, 1868.
PUBLIC OFFICERS FOR THE COUNTY PALATINE.
Bigh Sheriff (1887-8)— Sir John Hardy Thursby, Bart., Ormerod House, Burnley.
Lord Lieutenant — The Right Hon. the Earl of Sefton, Croxteth, Liverpool.
Constable of Lancaster Castle — The Right Hon. Lord Winmarleigh, Winmarleigh, Garstang.
Chancellor of the Duchy — The Right Hon. Lord John Manners, Waterloo Bridge, London, W.C.
derk of the Council and Registrar of the Duchy — J. G. D. Engleheart, Esq., Waterloo Bridge, London, W.C.
Under Sheriff — T. F. Artindale, gentleman, Burnley.
A cting Under Sheriffs and Clerks to the Lieutenancy — Messrs. Wilson, Deacon, Wright and Wilsons, Preston.
Registrar of the Chancery — Alexander Pearce, gentleman.
Feal Keeper and Clerk of Assize and Associate — Thomas Moss Shuttleworth, gentleman, Preston.
Clei-k of the Peace — Frederic Campbell Hulton, gentleman, Preston.
Deputy Clerks of the Peace — Thomas Wilson, gentleman, Highwood, Waltou-le-Dale, and Samuel Campbell Hulton Sadler
gentleman, Southport.
County Treasurer — Henry Alison, Esq., Preston.
Chief Constable — Lieut.-Col. Moorsom, Preston.
Assistant Chief Constable — Capt. Charles VUliers Ibbetson, Preston.
County Auditm — Mr. H. W. Johnston, Preston.
County Lunatic Asylum {Lancaster) — D. M. Cassidy, Esq., M.D., D.Sc, Superintendent.
Law Clerk to Visitors — William Thomas Sharp, gentleman, Lancaster.
Clerk and Steward — Mr. Peter Uutton, Lancaster.
County Lunatic Asylum (Prestwich)—B.eBry Rooke Ley, Esq., Superintendent.
Law Clerk to Visitors — Henry Thomas Crofton, gentleman, Manchester.
Treasurer and Clerk — Mr. Robert Coates, Prestwioh.
ChurUy Lunatic Asylum (Rainhill)—T. L. Rogers, Esq., M.D., Rainhill, Superintendent.
Law Clerk to Visitors — W. Swift, gentleman, Liverpool.
Clerk and Steward — Mr. R. C. Lewis, Rainhill.
County Lunatic Asylum (Whittingham)— John A. Wallis, Esq., M.D., Whittingham, Preston, Superintendent.
Law Olerk to Visitors — F. C. Hulton, gentleman, Preston.
Clerk and Steward — Mr. T. Dilworth, Whittingham.
Chief Warder of Her Majesty's Prison {Lancaster) — Mr. W. R. Shenton.
Keepers of Her Majesty's Prisons— Preston, Mr. John Haverfield. Manchester (StrangewaysJ, Major Preston. Kirkdale, Major
Knox.
Coroners— Mr. H. J. Robinson, Blackburn ; Mr. P. Price, 8, St. James's Square, Manchester ; Mr. F. N. Molesworth, Rochdale ;
Mr. J. Broughton Edge, St. James's Square, Manchester ; Mr. Samuel Brighouse, Ormskirk ; Dr. Gilbertson, Preston ;
Mr. Lawrence Holden, Lancaster. r ,. m- c
Mr John Poole, Coroner for the Liberty and Manor of Furness, Ulverston ; Mr. William Ashcroft, Coroner for the Manor ot
Walton-le-Dale ; Mr. F. Smith, Coroner for the Manor of Prescot ; Mr. J. R. Buckton, Coroner for the Manor of Hale.
County Analysts— Ja.mea Campbell Brown, Esq., D.Sa, 27, Abercromby Square, Liverpool ; Walter C. Williams, Esq., B.Sc.
School of Medicine, Dover Street, Liverpool (Assistant Analyst).
440
THE HISTORY OF LANCASHIRE— APPENDIX IX.
BRIDGEMASTERS AND SURVEYORS.
-Mr. Philip Hartley, Ulverston.
-Mr. Edward Graham Paley,
Lancaster.
-Mr. WiUiam Radford,
No. 1, Princess Street, Manchester.
Blackburn Hundred — Mr. William Eadf ord, Manchester.
Lonsdale Hundred (North)-
Lonsdale Hundred (South)-
Amounderness Hundred-
Leyland Hundred — Mr. William Radford, Manchester.
Salford Hundred — Mr. William Radford, Manchester.
West Derby Hundred — Mr. George Holme,
Westminster Chambers, 1, Crosshall Street, Liverpool.
Ditto County Bridges— Mr. WiUiam Radford, Manchester.
SCHOOL BOARDS.
Boards.
Asliton-under-Lyne .,
Bacup
Barrow-in-Furness .
Blackburn
Bolton
Bootle-cum-Linacre .
Burnley
Liverpool
Manchester
Oldham
Rochdale
Salford
Wigan
*Barrowford (U. D.) .
*Bu-kdale
*Burtonwood
*Crumpaall
*Dalton-in-Furness .
*Edgeworth (U. D.) .
*Egton-with-Newland
*Forton(U. D.)
*Great Sankey
Unions of
Municipal borough
Burnley . . .
Ormskirk . . .
Warrington
Prestwich
Ulverston
Bolton
Ulverston...
Garstang ...
Warrington
Popula-
No. of [
tion
Mem-
(1881).
bers.
37,040
9
25,034
9
47,100
11
104,014
13
105,414
13
27,374
9
58,882
9
552,425
15
373,585
15
111,343
13
68,865
11
176,235
15
48,194
11
3,952
7
8,705
7
1,268
5
8,154
7
13,339
7
2,474
5
998
5
696
7
360
5
Boards.
*Hambleton
Heaton
*KirkbyIreleth(U. D.)
*Newchurch-in-Rossendale. .
*Pleasington
*Poulton
Prescot
Royton
*Shevington
*Skelsmersdale
South worth-with-Croft ...
*Thornton-with-Fleetwood. .
tTottington Higher End ...
*UlneB Walton
*Ulverston and Mansriggs
(U.D.)
*Walmersley-cum-Shuttle-
worth (ex municipal) . , .
Walton-on-the-Hill
*We8thoughton and Lostock
(U.D.)
*Widnea
Unions of
Garstang ....
Bolton
Ulverston .
Haslingden .
Blackburn ,
Lancaster....
Prescot
Oldham ...,
Wigan
Ormskirk . . . ,
Warrington ,
TheFylde ,
Haslingden ,
Chorley . . . ,
Ulverston
Bury
West Derby
Bolton
Prescot . . .
Popula-
tion
(1881).
389
1,461
1,754
3,228
459
3,931
5,546
10,582
1,570
5,707
1,035
7,589
3,926
10,072
5,390
18,715
9,997
24,935
No. of
Mem-
bers.
11
7
11
* Boards formed compulsorily under sec. 10 or 40 of the Education Act.
t Board formed under sec. 12 of the Education Act.
THE COUNTY COURTS.
On the 1st January, 1868, the statute passed on the 20th of August, 1867, to amend the Acts relating to the jurisdiction of the
County Courts came into force, materially diminishing the business in the Common Law Courts. A plaint may now be entered in
the County Court within the district of which the defendant or one of the defendants shall dwell or carry on his business at the time
of bringing the action or suit, or it may be entered by leave of the Judge or Registrar in the County Court within the district in
which the defendant or one of the defendants dwelt or carried on business at any time within sis months next before the time of
action or suit brought, or with the like leave in the County Court in the district of which the cause of action or suit wholly or in
part arose. In actions for goods, &c., the plaintiff may issue a summons, and if the defendant shall not file notice of his intention to
defend, judgment may be entered up. Proceedings commenced in a metropolitan County Court, the same are to be continued therein
if the defendant resides in the district of one of such courts. No action is to be maintainable in any court for beer, &c., consumed
on the premises. Costs are not to be recoverable in the superior courts where less than £20 in contract or £10 in tort is recovered,
and the Act authorising the trial of issues before the Sheriff, where the sum sought to be recovered does not exceed £20, is
repealed. In actions commenced in the superior courts, where the sum does not exceed £50, the Judge may remit the same to a
County Court, and proceedings in equity in the Court of Chancery, which might have been commenced in the County Courts, may
be remitted to them, and matters to £500 for specific performance, &c., to be dealt with in a similar manner. Actions for malicious
prosecution, assault, false imprisonment, seduction, &c., in the superior courts, to be remitted to the County Courts ; and in eject-
ments, or where the property does not exceed £20 a-year, are to be heard in the County Courts. There are provisions as to costs,
&c., and Registrars may act as high bailiffs. In equity proceedings, where the trust money or stock does not exceed £500, to be
transferred to the County Courts, and invested in Post-Office Savings Banks. No action or suit is to be commenced in any hundred
or inferior court, and persons holding office affected to be entitled to compensation. A high bailiff may now interplead.
END OF THE FIRST VOLUME.
John Hetwood, Excelsior Steam Printing and Bookbinding Works, Hulme Hall Road, Manchester.
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